Rory Block was born in Princeton, New Jersey and grew up in Manhattan. Her father, Allan Block, ran a sandal shop in Greenwich Village in the 1960s, and the constant presence of members of the Greenwich Village folk music scene made an impression on the young girl, who studied classical guitar. Around age 14, she began to be fascinated by old Mississippi Delta blues, listening to old albums, transcribing them, and learning to play the songs. At age 15, she left home to seek out the remaining blues giants, such as Mississippi John Hurt, Reverend Gary Davis and Son House, and hone her craft in the traditional manner of blues musicians; then she moved to California where she played in clubs and coffeehouses.
After retiring temporarily to raise a family, Block returned to the music business in the 1970s with middling success until signing with Rounder Records in 1981, who encouraged her to return to her love for the classical blues form. Since then she has carved out her own niche, releasing numerous critically acclaimed albums of original and traditional songs, including many Robert Johnson covers. Block has won four W. C. Handy Awards, two for "Traditional Blues Female Artist" (1997, 1998), and two for "Acoustic Blues Album of the Year" (1996, 1999).
Joliet Bound
Rory Block Lyrics
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Police coming now with his ball and chain
And they accusing me of murder, never harmed a man
Well, some got six months, some got a solid year
Some got six months, some got a solid year
Now, me and my buddy got a lifetime here
Lawyer pleaded, clerk he wrote it down
If I has your sentence, must be Joliet bound
Well, you can cook my supper, let me go to bed
Cook my supper now, let me go to bed
I've been drinkin' white lightning, has gone to my head
You gone quit me, baby, it's the first thing I wanna do
Quit me, baby, it's the first thing that I gonna do
Some day you gonna want me and I won't want you
Well, police shoot the gun, pain all in my side
Police shoot the gun, pain all in my side
If you run from me, must be born to die
When they had my trial, you could not be found
When I had my trial, you could not be found
Now I'm done got all messed up and I'm Joliet bound
The song "Joliet Bound" talks about the singer being accused of murder, though he claims he never harmed anyone. He and his friend receive a lifetime sentence, while others received shorter jail times. The singer's lawyer makes a plea deal that results in him being sent to Joliet prison. The singer drunkenly sings about how he wants to quit his lover, who will eventually want him back after he's gone to jail.
The lyrics portray a sense of defeat and sadness as the singer acknowledges his impending imprisonment. He appears to have lost hope in his future and in his relationships. The line "If you run from me, must be born to die" suggests that he has nowhere to run and his fate is sealed. The use of white lightning as a metaphor for moonshine also indicates the singer's state of mind and how his choices have led him to where he is now.
The song reflects the blues and folk music traditions of storytelling through song with repetitive structures and call-and-response patterns. The use of vernacular language and colloquial expressions gives the song a raw and authentic feel. The song also references Joliet prison, which was known for its harsh conditions and housed infamous criminals such as Al Capone.
Line by Line Meaning
Police coming with his ball and chain
The police are coming to arrest me and take me to jail, shackled with heavy chains.
And they accusing me of murder, never harmed a man
Despite my innocence and never having caused harm to anyone, I am being falsely accused of murder.
Well, some got six months, some got a solid year
Different people receive different prison sentences, some as short as six months, while others get a much longer solid year.
Some got six months, some got a solid year
Different people receive different prison sentences, some as short as six months, while others get a much longer solid year.
Now, me and my buddy got a lifetime here
My friend and I received a life sentence, which means we will be in prison for the rest of our lives.
Well, the lawyer he pleaded, clerk he wrote it down
Although my lawyer made a plea on my behalf, the clerk was the one who documented the sentence handed down by the court.
Lawyer pleaded, clerk he wrote it down
Although my lawyer made a plea on my behalf, the clerk was the one who documented the sentence handed down by the court.
If I has your sentence, must be Joliet bound
If I were in your shoes and received the same sentence as you, I too would be headed to Joliet prison.
Well, you can cook my supper, let me go to bed
I am exhausted after drinking too much moonshine and need to eat something before going to bed.
Cook my supper now, let me go to bed
I am exhausted after drinking too much moonshine and need to eat something before going to bed.
I've been drinkin' white lightning, has gone to my head
I have been drinking powerful and potent moonshine, which has gone straight to my head.
You gone quit me, baby, it's the first thing I wanna do
Breaking up with you is the first thing I want to do, after realizing how alone and helpless I am in prison.
Quit me, baby, it's the first thing that I gonna do
Breaking up with you is the first thing I want to do, after realizing how alone and helpless I am in prison.
Some day you gonna want me and I won't want you
There may come a time when you want to be with me again, but I will have moved on and no longer want you.
Well, police shoot the gun, pain all in my side
The police shot me with their guns, and I am now experiencing pain on my side.
Police shoot the gun, pain all in my side
The police shot me with their guns, and I am now experiencing pain on my side.
If you run from me, must be born to die
Anyone who tries to escape from me and the authorities must be prepared to face the consequences and possibly even death.
When they had my trial, you could not be found
During my trial, you were nowhere to be found and were unable to provide any evidence or testimony on my behalf.
When I had my trial, you could not be found
During my trial, you were nowhere to be found and were unable to provide any evidence or testimony on my behalf.
Now I'm done got all messed up and I'm Joliet bound
My current situation is messed up, and unfortunately, I am now headed to Joliet prison as a result of my conviction and sentence.
Writer(s): JOE MCCOY, MINNIE MCCOY
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.