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).
Ramblin' on my mind
Rory Block Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got ramblin' on my mind
I got ramblin'
I got ramblin' all on my mind
Hate to leave you baby
But you treats me so unkind
And now babe
I will never forgive you anymore
I will never forgive you anymore
You did not want me
baby, why did you tell me so?
And I'm runnin' down to the station
catch that first mail train I see spoken: I hear her comin' now.
And I'm running down to the station
catch that old first mail train I see
I've got the blues about Miss So-and-So
and the child got the blues about me
An' they's de'ilment
she got devilment on her mind
She got devilment
little girl, you got devilment all on you rmind
Now I got to leave this mornin'
with my arms a-fold'up and cryin'
I believe
I believe my time ain't long
I believe
I believe that my time ain't long
But I'm leavin' this mornin'
I believe I will go back hom
Rory Block's song "Ramblin' on my Mind" is a classic blues number with soulful lyrics and a catchy rhythm. The opening lyrics "I got ramblin'" suggest that the singer is feeling restless and wants to escape from their current situation. They continue to repeat the phrase "I got ramblin' on my mind" which emphasizes this feeling of restlessness. The next line of "Hate to leave you baby but you treats me so unkind" indicates that they are leaving a person who has mistreated them. The repetition of the line "Little girl, little girl, I will never forgive you anymore" shows that the singer is hurt by the actions of this person and cannot forgive them.
As the song continues, the singer talks about catching the first mail train they see to get away. They also mention the "blues about Miss So-and-So" which could suggest that this person has been involved in a love triangle. They mention that the person they are leaving has "devilment on her mind" which adds to the tension of the situation. The song concludes with the singer saying that they believe their time is short and that they are leaving that morning. The line "I believe I will go back home" could indicate that they are leaving their current town or situation to return to their roots.
Overall, "Ramblin' on my Mind" is a classic blues song about feeling restless and wanting to escape a situation where they have been mistreated. The repetitive lyrics and catchy rhythm help to emphasize the emotions of the singer and create a powerful tune.
Line by Line Meaning
I got ramblin'
I have an urge to travel
I got ramblin' on my mind
I have a constant desire to wander
I got ramblin'
I am itching to move around
I got ramblin' all on my mind
I am consumed by the thought of traveling
Hate to leave you baby
I feel bad about leaving you
But you treats me so unkind
You have not been treating me well
And now babe
And as a result
I will never forgive you anymore
I will not forgive you
Little girl, little girl
Addressing the person speaking to
I will never forgive you anymore
I will not forgive you
You did not want me
You did not have feelings for me
baby, why did you tell me so?
Why did you mislead me?
And I'm runnin' down to the station
I am heading towards the train station
catch that first mail train I see spoken: I hear her comin' now.
Boarding the first train I see
And I'm running down to the station
I am running fast to the train station
catch that old first mail train I see
Boarding the first train I see
I've got the blues about Miss So-and-So
I am unhappy about Miss So-and-So
and the child got the blues about me
The child is sad about me
An' they's de'ilment
There is something troubling going on
she got devilment on her mind
She has something mischievous planned
She got devilment
She is up to no good
little girl, you got devilment all on you rmind
You are planning something wicked
Now I got to leave this mornin'
I have to depart this morning
with my arms a-fold'up and cryin'
With my arms wrapped around myself tightly and crying
I believe
I have a strong feeling
I believe my time ain't long
I feel like my time is running out
I believe
I am strongly convinced
I believe that my time ain't long
I am strongly convinced that my time is almost up
But I'm leaving this morning'
But I have to depart this morning
I believe I will go back home
I am considering returning to my place of origin
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: ROBERT LEROY JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind