Robert Lee McCollum (30 November 1909–5 November 1967) was an American blue… Read Full Bio ↴Robert Lee McCollum (30 November 1909–5 November 1967) was an American bluesman who played and recorded under the names Robert Lee McCoy and Robert Nighthawk.

Born in Helena, Arkansas, he left home at an early age to become a busking musician, and after a period wandering through southern Mississippi settled for a time in Memphis, Tennessee. There he played with local orchestras and musicians, such as the Memphis Jug Band. A particular influence was Houston Stackhouse, from whom he learnt to play slide guitar, and with whom he appeared on the radio in Jackson, Mississippi.

After further travels through Mississippi, he found it advisable to take his mother's name, and as Robert Lee McCoy he moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Local musicians with whom he played included Henry Townsend, Big Joe Williams, and Sonny Boy Williamson. This led to two recording dates in 1937, the four musicians recording together at the Victor Records studio in Aurora, Illinois, as well as recordings under his own name, including "Prowling Night-Hawk" (recorded 5 May 1937), from which he was take his later pseudonym.

These sessions led to Chicago careers for the other musicians, but not for McCoy, who simply continued his rambling life, playing and recording (for Victor/Bluebird and Decca) solo and with various musicians, under various names. He also became a familiar voice on local radio stations. Then Robert Lee McCoy disappeared.

Within a few years he reappeared as the electric slide-guitarist Robert Nighthawk, and began recording for Chess Records. This was also Muddy Waters' label; the two men's styles were close enough that they were in competition for promotional activity — and as Waters was the more saleable commodity, being more reliable and a more confident stage communicator, he received the attention. Though Nighthawk continued to perform and to record, he failed to achieve any great commercial success.

In 1963, some ten years later, Nighthawk was discovered busking in Chicago, and this led to further recording sessions and club dates, and to his return to Arkansas, where he appeared on the King Biscuit Time radio programme. He had a stroke, followed by a heart attack, and died at his home in Helena.

Recordings
Robert Nighthawk: Prowling with the Nighthawk (Document) — twenty-six sides (1937–1952) recorded for Bluebird, Decca, Aristocrat, and United.
Ramblin' Bob (Saga) — twenty-four sides (1937–1952) recorded for Victor, Decca, Chess, and United.

My Sweet Lovin' Woman
Robert Nighthawk Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got a sweet lovin woman,
She lives up on that hill.
I've got a sweet lovin woman,
She lives up on that hill.
You know that fool tried to quit me,
But, man I love her still.

Yes, there's one thing about you women,

That I can't understand.
Yes, there's one thing about you women,
That I can't understand.
You cook corn bread for your husband,
And biscuits for your man.
That's just like a woman alright.

Yes, goodbye darlin,
Oh, yes I'm goin away.
Yes, goodbye darlin,
Oh, yes I'm goin away.

I may be back to see you darlin,
On some dark and rainy day.

Overall Meaning

In Robert Nighthawk's song "My Sweet Lovin' Woman," the lyrics depict a man who loves his woman deeply, despite her attempted breakups. The first verse highlights the man's affection for his "sweet lovin woman," who resides on a hill. Although the woman makes attempts to leave the man, he still loves her. The second verse alludes to a common frustration the man has with women, which is their seemingly inconsistent loyalty. The man can't understand why women will cook cornbread for their husbands but then biscuits for their "man," implying there may be other men in the picture. The third verse concludes the song with a farewell message, indicating that the man is going away but hopes to return to see his lover again in the future, even if it's on a dark and rainy day.

Line by Line Meaning

I've got a sweet lovin woman,
I have a girlfriend who loves me

She lives up on that hill.
She stays on the top of that hill

You know that fool tried to quit me,
Someone tried to take her away from me

But, man I love her still.
Despite the attempt to break us apart, I still love her

Yes, there's one thing about you women,
I noticed one thing about women

That I can't understand.
But I just can't fathom it

You cook corn bread for your husband,
You prepare corn bread for your spouse

And biscuits for your man.
And biscuits for your partner

That's just like a woman alright.
This is typical behavior for a woman

Yes, goodbye darlin,
Farewell, my dear

Oh, yes I'm goin away.
I am leaving