Savoy Brown is a British blues band formed in the 1960s, originally known a… Read Full Bio ↴Savoy Brown is a British blues band formed in the 1960s, originally known as the Saveloy Brown Blues Band. Their 1969 single, Train to Nowhere (with singer Chris Youlden), was viewed by many as the last gasp of the blues scene in Great Britain. Although Savoy Brown never reached much acclaim in their home nation, they developed a loyal core following in the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, the band managed to penetrate the Billboard Hot 100. Superstardom perpetually evaded them, perhaps in part because of their frequent lineup changes. Indeed, while the band is still active today, only one founding member, Kim Simmonds, has been with the band since the beginning. Guitarist "Lonesome" Dave Peverett, bassist Tony Stevens, and drummer Roger Earl went on to form Foghat. Original member and harmonica player John O'Leary is still active on the British blues circuit with The John O'Leary Band. Savoy Brown's first album, Shake Down, featured lead vocalist Bryce Portius. Portius was one of the first black blues musicians to be a part of a British rock band. Another singer, Dave Walker, would later join Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath.

Mr. Downchild
Savoy Brown Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I'm a downchild baby,
And I've been down since I was born,
Well I'm a downchild baby,
And I was down the day I was born, ohhh,
Won't somebody please, Help the downchild.

I've been walking the streets woman,
You know since I were quite young,

And I've been walking the streets woman,
Well ya know since I were quite young, quite young,
Won't somebody please, oh help the downchild.
Help me now.

Oh. help me baby,
Well you know the shape I'm in,
Oh won't somebody please help me baby,
When you know the shape I'm in,
Won't somebody please help the downchild.

Oh you know the downchild baby,
And I"ve been down since I was born,
And I'm a downchild baby,
And I've been down since I was born,
Won't somebody please, help the downchild.

And I cried baby,
And I cried the whole night long,
And I cried,
Til the tears coming rolling down,
You know I cired.

And I know I cried,
Oh I'm a downchild baby, tell my mother.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Savoy Brown's "Mr. Downchild" delve into themes of sadness, loneliness, and despair. The opening line, "Well I'm a downchild baby, and I've been down since I was born," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is conveying a sense of hopelessness and helplessness; the use of the term "downchild" emphasizes that point. He's been in this state since birth, and he's looking for someone to help him out of it, someone to save him.

The second verse reinforces this message. The singer has been walking the streets since he was young, indicating a sense of being lost, of having nowhere to go. The repetition of the phrase "won't somebody please, help the downchild" is almost like a plea, an appeal to anyone who might be listening to lend a hand.

The third verse shifts the focus to the singer's relationship with another person. He's asking for help, but also acknowledging the state he's in. He knows he's not in a good place, and he's looking for someone to help him out of it. The chorus repeats once again, emphasizing the dire nature of the singer's situation.

The final verse introduces the idea of crying, of emotional release. The singer has been holding this sadness inside for too long, and now it's bursting out of him. The repetition of the last line, "Oh I'm a downchild baby, tell my mother," adds a layer of sadness and melancholy. The singer seems to be calling out for a mother figure, someone to give him the love and support he needs to lift him out of his despair.

Overall, "Mr. Downchild" is a powerful song that conveys a deep sense of sadness and loneliness. The singer is looking for help, for someone to save him from his dark emotions. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this message, emphasizing the sheer desperation he's feeling.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I'm a downchild baby,
I have been unhappy and struggling since birth.

And I've been down since I was born,
I have been unhappy and struggling since birth.

Well I'm a downchild baby,
I have been unhappy and struggling since birth.

And I was down the day I was born, ohhh,
I have been unhappy and struggling since birth.

Won't somebody please, Help the downchild.
I need someone's assistance to make my life better.

I've been walking the streets woman,
I have been wandering aimlessly for a long time.

You know since I were quite young,
I have been wandering aimlessly since a very young age.

And I've been walking the streets woman,
I have been wandering aimlessly for a long time.

Well ya know since I were quite young, quite young,
I have been wandering aimlessly since a very young age.

Won't somebody please, oh help the downchild.
I need someone's assistance to make my life better.

Help me now.
I need someone's assistance right away.

Oh. help me baby,
I desperately need someone's help.

Well you know the shape I'm in,
You are aware of how unhappy and struggling I am.

Oh won't somebody please help me baby,
I need someone's assistance to make my life better.

When you know the shape I'm in,
You are aware of how unhappy and struggling I am.

Won't somebody please help the downchild.
I need someone's assistance to make my life better.

Oh you know the downchild baby,
You know that I have been unhappy and struggling since birth.

And I"ve been down since I was born,
I have been unhappy and struggling since birth.

And I'm a downchild baby,
I am someone who has been unhappy and struggling since birth.

And I've been down since I was born,
I have been unhappy and struggling since birth.

Won't somebody please, help the downchild.
I need someone's assistance to make my life better.

And I cried baby,
I have been crying out for help.

And I cried the whole night long,
I have been crying out for help for a long time.

And I cried,
I have been crying out for help.

Til the tears coming rolling down,
I have been crying so much that tears have been streaming down my face.

You know I cried.
You know that I have been crying out for help.

And I know I cried,
I am aware that I have been crying out for help.

Oh I'm a downchild baby, tell my mother.
I have been unhappy and struggling since birth, please inform my mother of my desperate state.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Andy Thomas

6y↑7

Let's hear it for the great Chris Youlden. The voice of authority! Apparently the guitar solo was recorded by putting Simmons' amp at one end of a corridor at Decca studios and the mic at the other end!

Bluesdirections

12y↑5

One of the great Savoy Brown songs. When I was in my first blues period in 1970 I heard this. Never looked back.

Tim Barringer

5y↑2

This song makes me smile because my best friend named Robert brought the album getting to the point to school in 1972. We were in 12th grade art class. The teacher let students bring in music to play during art class. Most kids brought in albums by Chicago, Don McLean etc. Robert brought this song in and blew minds. The rest of the class had never heard Mr. Downchild before. I became an instant fan of Savoy Brown.

Brian Crowley

9y↑4

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it (1972). Thanks for posting it.

dule baldus

12y↑5

Thanks for this, maybe the best original track in this fantastic album

Greg Deyermenjian

5y↑1

From the first moment I heard this song upon its release I had to find the album, scouring every record store of Amherst, MA, until I did. After 51 years it still is just as bluesy, beautiful, and powerful.