Down Child
Sonny Boy Williamson Lyrics


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Listen downchild
Please take a fool's advice
Listen downchild
Please take a fool's advice

Don't newer let no one woman,
Man misuse you twice time she smiles
Says she don't love no one but you
Everytime she smiles
Says, she don't love no one but you

Everytime she smiles
Says, she don't love no one but you
You better watch out buddy boy, little girl
Love to drop a chunk on you

I tried so hard to not even think about my past life
I tried so hard even think about my past life
Because I don't want to ever ever make a mistake in life

Baby, I and you could be so happy
We can be so lovin' tonight
From now on darling
Yeah, We can be so happy be so lovey from now on
from now on
Because if I ever make a mistake in life




I know I'd ruin my happy home
Whoa

Overall Meaning

In Sonny Boy Williamson II's song "Down Child," the lyrics depict a warning to a man who is vulnerable and naive when it comes to a woman's affection. The singer advises the man to take his advice and not let a woman misuse him twice after she has smiled and said she loves him. The repetition of "Says she don't love no one but you/ Every time she smiles" highlights the deceptive and manipulative nature of the woman being described. The singer urges the man to be cautious and watch out, as he is in danger of being misled and hurt by this woman who loves to play with his emotions.


The second half of the lyrics reveal a more personal aspect of the singer's own experiences, as he confesses to trying so hard not to think about his past life and to avoid making mistakes in life. The shift in tone suggests that the singer has also been a victim of emotional manipulation and possibly suffered the consequences of his own mistakes. However, he sees hope for himself and his partner, as they can be happy and loving together as long as he does not make the same mistakes again.


Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving into a woman's charm and the importance of being aware of one's own past experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen downchild
Pay attention, young child


Please take a fool's advice
Take heed of the advice of someone who has made mistakes before


Don't newer let no one woman,
Do not allow any one woman


Man misuse you twice time she smiles
Manipulate you twice by smiling


Says she don't love no one but you
Claims to only love you


Everytime she smiles
Each time she smiles


You better watch out buddy boy, little girl
Be careful, young man


Love to drop a chunk on you
Likes to hurt you emotionally or financially


I tried so hard to not even think about my past life
I've made an effort to avoid thinking of my prior experiences


Because I don't want to ever ever make a mistake in life
To avoid making a mistake


Baby, I and you could be so happy
We could improve our happiness together


We can be so lovin' tonight
We can express our love for each other tonight


From now on darling
In the future, my love


Yeah, We can be so happy be so lovey from now on
We can be very happy and affectionate from this point forward


Because if I ever make a mistake in life
If I make an error in judgement


I know I'd ruin my happy home
I could lose my happiness and stability


Whoa
Expression of emphasis or surprise




Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Mico Veliki

i remember being rejected by my sweetheart back in the day so every time i hear this song the fist verse always hits me mannn always..rest in peace great man

Aecio Cardoso

Nice music !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eugene Debs

Holy shit

Willie Lee

That it...

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