After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
African Herbman
Taj Mahal Lyrics
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Can't see the right rose when the streams abate
The old slave men might grind slow
But it grinds fine, yeah
African herbsman, why linger on?
Just concentrate, 'cause heaven lives on
Greet-I-eth slave men will look with a scorn
(... how quick they had to part)
The remembrance of today
Is the sad feelin' of tomorrow
(... how quick ...) Oh (... part), oh yeah
African herbsman, seize your time
I'm takin' illusion on the edge of my mind
I'm takin' losers down thru my life
Down thru my life, yeah (yes, how quick they had to part)
(... how quick they had to part)
Dideh part, yes, they part
In remembrance of today
(... how quick they had to part)
African herbsman, why linger on?
Just concentrate, 'cause your heaven lives on
Greet-I-eth slave men will look with a scorn
With a transplanted heart, yes, how (... quick they have to part)
(... how quick they have to part)
In remembrance of today
Brings sad feelings of tomorrow
(Yes, how quick they have to ...) Lead me on, oh, Lord, I pray to you
(African herbsman) (African herbsman)
African, African herbsman ...
The opening line, "All twinklin' lee, can't see the right rose when the streams abate," is a metaphor about the difficulties of seeing or finding beauty and truth, even when one is surrounded by it. The "old slave men" who "grind slow, but it grinds fine" refers to the persistence and resilience of the African people who have endured hardship and oppression. The chorus, "African herbsman, why linger on? Just concentrate, 'cause heaven lives on," encourages the listener to focus on the present and the future, rather than dwelling on the past. The line "with a transplanted heart, yes, how quick they have to part," suggests the pain of separation and loss that is often associated with the African diaspora.
Overall, "African Herbman" is a song with a hopeful message, encouraging listeners to look forward and embrace positivity, even in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
All twinklin' lee
The stars are shining brightly
Can't see the right rose when the streams abate
It's hard to differentiate between things when everything else around is also affected by the problem
The old slave men might grind slow
The old slaves might have worked slowly
But it grinds fine, yeah
But they got the job done eventually
African herbsman, why linger on?
African man who uses herbs, why wait any longer?
Just concentrate, 'cause heaven lives on
Focus on the present moment because the heavenly experience is available for you now
Greet-I-eth slave men will look with a scorn
The descendants of slaves will look down upon you
With a transplanted heart (yes, how quick they had to part)
With a heart that has been relocated (referring to the forced migration of Africans as slaves)
The remembrance of today
The memory of the present moment
Is the sad feelin' of tomorrow
Can become a source of sadness in the future
African herbsman, seize your time
African man who uses herbs, take advantage of the present moment
I'm takin' illusion on the edge of my mind
I'm handling/dealing with illusions at the brink of my thoughts
I'm takin' losers down thru my life
I'm getting rid of negative influences/people in my life
Dideh part, yes, they part
They separated, yes, they separated
In remembrance of today
In memory of the present moment
Brings sad feelings of tomorrow
Can become a source of sadness in the future
(African herbsman) (African herbsman)
Referring to someone who uses African herbs
Contributed by Eli S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.