Sweet Home Chicago
Peter Green & Robert Johnson Lyrics

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Oh baby don't you want to go
Oh baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago

Oh baby don't you want to go
Oh baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California

To my sweet home Chicago

Now one and one is two
Two and two is four
I'm heavy loaded baby
I'm booked I gotta go

Cryin' baby
Honey don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago

Now two and two is four
Four and two is six
You gonna keep monkeyin' round here friend-boy
You gonna get your business all in a trick

But I'm cryin' baby
Honey don't you wanna go
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago

Now six and two is eight
Eight and two is ten
Friend-boy she trick you one time
She sure gonna do it again

But I'm cryin' hey hey
Baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago

I'm goin' to California
From there to Des Moines Iowa
Somebody will tell me that you
Need my help someday

Cryin hey hey
Baby don't you want to go

Back to the land of California
To my sweet home Chicago

Overall Meaning

The song "Sweet Home Chicago" by Peter Green and Robert Johnson is a classic blues tune filled with longing and a yearning for home. The song starts with the lyrics "Oh baby don't you want to go," repeating this phrase four times, creating a sense of desire and urgency. The following lyrics reveal the true destination, which is not California, but rather the singer's "sweet home Chicago." The verses continue with a simple math lesson, revealing the singer's need to leave due to being "heavy loaded" and having to travel for business.

The chorus repeats the same desire to return home to Chicago and fills the song with emotion and longing. The lyrics "Cryin' baby, honey don't you want to go" create a sense of sadness and desperation, making it clear that the singer wants to go home more than anything. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer expressing their desire to help someone in need someday, but also never forgetting their home in Chicago.

Overall, "Sweet Home Chicago" is a powerful blues song that speaks to the human desire for home and belonging. The lyrics are simple yet emotive, and the song showcases the talents of two legendary blues musicians.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh baby don't you want to go
Would you be interested in accompanying me?

Back to the land of California
Returning to California

To my sweet home Chicago
Returning to my fondly remembered Chicago residence

Now one and one is two
Basic arithmetic

Two and two is four
Simple addition

I'm heavy loaded baby
I am carrying a large amount of weight

I'm booked I gotta go
I have prior obligations and must leave soon

Cryin' baby
Pleading for companionship

But I'm cryin' baby
Still Pleading for companionship

Now two and two is four
Simple addition

Four and two is six
Basic arithmetic