Ramblin On My Mind
Robert Johnson Lyrics


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I got ramblin', I got ramblin' on my mind
I got ramblin', I got ramblin' all on my mind
Hate to leave my baby, but you treats me so unkind

I got mean things, I got mean things all on my mind
Little girl, little girl, I got mean things all on my mind
Hate to leave you here, babe, but you treats me so unkind
Runnin' down to the station, catch the first mail train I see
I think I hear her comin' now
Runnin' down to the station, catch the old first mail train I see
I got the blues about Miss So-and-So and the child got the blues about me

And I'm leavin' this mornin', with my arm' fold' up and cryin'
And I'm leavin' this mornin', with my arm' fold' up and cryin'
Hate to leave my baby, but she treats me so unkind

I got mean things, I've got mean things on my mind




I got mean things, I got mean things all on my mind
I got to leave my baby, well, she treats me so unkind

Overall Meaning

"Ramblin' on My Mind" is a classic blues song written by Robert Johnson. The song is about a man who can't stay in one place for long due to his wandering mind. He talks about leaving his lover behind because she treats him so unkindly. He has "mean things" on his mind, which seem to be caused by a woman he refers to as "Miss So-and-So." He is feeling blue about her, and he thinks that her child is feeling the same way about him.


The singer of the song is feeling restless and unhappy in his current situation. He is tempted to leave everything behind and start anew, hoping that his troubles will disappear once he starts his journey. He is torn between his desire to escape from his problems and his love for his significant other. He is left with the decision to either stick around and try and make things work or to leave and move on. The song paints a picture of a man who is struggling to come to terms with his issues and the difficult decisions he has to make.


Line by Line Meaning

I got ramblin', I got ramblin' on my mind
I have the desire to travel and wander, this thought is constantly on my mind


I got ramblin', I got ramblin' all on my mind
I have the urge to travel and be free, this thought carries on lingering in my mind


Hate to leave my baby, but you treats me so unkind
I don't want to leave my lover, but the way they treat me is harsh and unkind


I got mean things, I got mean things all on my mind
I have resentful and hateful thoughts constantly occupying my mind


Little girl, little girl, I got mean things all on my mind
My lover, whom I refer to as 'little girl', is the cause of these hateful thoughts on my mind


Hate to leave you here, babe, but you treats me so unkind
I am hesitant to leave my lover behind, but their treatment towards me makes it necessary for me to do so


Runnin' down to the station, catch the first mail train I see
I am in a hurry to leave quickly, and will take the first mode of transportation I see, which in this case is the mail train


I think I hear her comin' now
I believe I can hear my lover approaching, creating conflicting feelings within me about leaving


I got the blues about Miss So-and-So and the child got the blues about me
I have mixed feelings about leaving someone referred to as 'Miss So-and-So'. Additionally, that person's child is upset at the prospect of my leaving


And I'm leavin' this mornin', with my arm' fold' up and cryin'
Despite my desire to leave, I am doing so with a heavy heart, as indicated by me holding my arms and crying


Hate to leave my baby, but she treats me so unkind
I am not happy about leaving my lover, but the way they treat me makes it necessary for me to do so


I got mean things, I've got mean things on my mind
Once again, I have hateful thoughts that persist in my mind


I got to leave my baby, well, she treats me so unkind
I must leave my lover, as the way they treat me is unkind and unbearable




Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ROBERT LEROY JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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