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.
Cluck Old hen
Taj Mahal Lyrics
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He stayed there and kept them old hens warm
Cluck old hen
Cluck all day
Cluck old hen
Cluck all day
I brought them eggs in to the house
Baby said they sure look fine
These eggs come from those hens of mine
Cluck old hen
Cluck all day
Cluck old hen
Cluck all day
The song "Cluck Old Hen" by Taj Mahal is a traditional American folk song that tells the story of a rooster and its relationship with hens. The lyrics depict a farmer who has a rooster and keeps him in the barn to keep the hens warm. Throughout the song, there are multiple repetitions of the phrase "cluck old hen," which is a reference to the sound that the hens make. The singer also talks about the eggs that the hens lay, and how they bring them into the house to cook and eat.
The song is interpreted to be about the struggles and joys of rural farm life. It depicts the simple pleasures of owning a rooster and hens, and the satisfaction of having fresh eggs. The repetition of the phrase "cluck old hen" reinforces the idea of the beauty of country life and the relationship between humans and animals. It is a song that celebrates the importance of hard work and the beauty of nature.
Line by Line Meaning
I got me a rooster and I put him in the barn
I acquired a male chicken and confined it to a barn.
He stayed there and kept them old hens warm
The rooster remained inside the barn and provided warmth to the old hens.
Cluck old hen
The hens made clucking sounds.
Cluck all day
The hens continued to make clucking sounds throughout the day.
I brought them eggs in to the house
I carried eggs laid by the hens to my house.
Baby said they sure look fine
My significant other commented positively on the appearance of the eggs.
..cooked 'em and we had enough to eat
We proceeded to cook the eggs and had a sufficient amount for our meal.
These eggs come from those hens of mine
I informed my significant other that the eggs were produced by my own hens.
Cluck old hen
The hens continued to make clucking sounds.
Cluck all day
The hens persisted in making noisy clucking sounds throughout the day.
Contributed by Natalie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.