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.
Little Brown Dog
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Throw him in a music box, just to sail the world around
His legs they were fourteen yards
Long, and his ears they were so broad
Around the world in a half a day, upon him I would ride
Sing Terry all day
Sing Autumn to May
Had myself a spotted horse, and he took me everywhere
Fields, fountains, mountains, streams, where he did not care
Took me to those places
Where Kings and Queens do go
One night he even snuck into my room, took me down to Mexico
Sing Terry all day
Sing Autumn to May
Well, I buyed myself a little dog, and his color it was brown
I put him in a music box, just to sail the world around
His legs they were fourteen yards
Long, and his ears they were so broad
Around the world in a half a day, upon him I would ride
Sing Terry all day
Sing Autumn to May
(Whistling solo)
I buyed myself a little dog, and his color it was brown
Oh I threw him in a music box, just to sail the world around
His legs they were fourteen yards
Long, and his ears they were so broad
Around the world in a half a day, upon him I would ride
Oh, sing Terry all day
Oh, Sing Autumn to May
Got myself a spotted horse, and he took me everywhere
Fields, fountains, mountains, streams, where he did not care
Took me to those places
Where Kings and Queens do go
One night he even snuck into my room, took me down to Mexico
Sing Terry all day
Won't ya sing Autumn to May
Sing, sing, sing Terry all day
Sing, sing sing Terry all day
Sing, sing, sing Autumn to May
Sing, sing, sing Terry all day
Sing, sing sing Autumn to May
Sing, sing, sing Terry all day
Sing, Autumn to May
The lyrics of Taj Mahal's "Little Brown Dog" are a whimsical and imaginative tale about the adventures of the singer and his animal companions. The song begins with Mahal's purchase of a small brown dog, whom he puts in a music box to accompany him on his travels around the world. The dog is described as having extraordinarily long legs and broad ears, which make him the perfect companion for this fantastical journey. The singer declares that he would ride around the world on this dog in just half a day.
The song then transitions to the singer's acquisition of a spotted horse who takes him everywhere. The horse is described as being indifferent to the places he takes the singer, including fields, fountains, mountains, and streams. One night, the horse even brings him to Mexico. The chorus of the song features a repeated refrain of "Sing Terry all day/Sing Autumn to May."
One possible interpretation of the lyrics is that they reflect a childlike sense of wonder and adventure. The whimsical descriptions of the dog and horse, as well as the idea of traveling around the world on a tiny animal, evoke a sense of magic and possibility. The repeated refrain of "Sing Terry all day" could also be seen as a call to embrace the joys and simple pleasures of life, such as singing and enjoying the changing of the seasons.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I buyed myself a little dog, and his color it was brown
I acquired a small brown dog.
Throw him in a music box, just to sail the world around
I imagined putting him in a music box and taking him on travels with me.
His legs they were fourteen yards
I imagined him having incredibly long legs.
Long, and his ears they were so broad
I imagined him having very broad ears.
Around the world in a half a day, upon him I would ride
I imagined riding my little brown dog around the world quickly.
Sing Terry all day
I suggested singing the song 'Terry all day.'
Sing Autumn to May
I suggested singing 'Autumn to May.'
Had myself a spotted horse, and he took me everywhere
I once owned a spotted horse that I rode everywhere.
Fields, fountains, mountains, streams, where he did not care
I rode my horse through various terrains, all of which he seemed comfortable navigating.
Took me to those places
He brought me to unique places that I wouldn't have gone to otherwise.
Where Kings and Queens do go
We went to places of great wealth and luxury.
One night he even snuck into my room, took me down to Mexico
One time my horse even took me to Mexico, without my explicit direction.
Oh I threw him in a music box, just to sail the world around
Again, I imagined putting my little brown dog into a music box and taking him on journeys.
Sing Terry all day
I suggested singing the song 'Terry all day.'
Sing Autumn to May
I suggested singing 'Autumn to May.'
(Whistling solo)
I proceeded to whistle a solo melody.
Got myself a spotted horse, and he took me everywhere
I acquired a spotted horse, which quickly became my go-to mode of transportation.
Fields, fountains, mountains, streams, where he did not care
He was willing to go through all terrains, regardless of difficulty.
Took me to those places
He brought me to unique places that I wouldn't have gone otherwise.
Where Kings and Queens do go
We went to places of great wealth and luxury.
One night he even snuck into my room, took me down to Mexico
One time my horse took me all the way to Mexico, without my explicit direction.
Sing Terry all day
I suggested singing the song 'Terry all day.'
Won't ya sing Autumn to May
I suggested singing 'Autumn to May.'
Sing, sing, sing Terry all day
I continued to suggest singing 'Terry all day.'
Sing, sing sing Terry all day
I repeated my suggestion to sing 'Terry all day.'
Sing, sing, sing Autumn to May
I suggested singing 'Autumn to May' again.
Sing, sing, sing Terry all day
I again suggested singing 'Terry all day.'
Sing, sing sing Autumn to May
I again suggested singing 'Autumn to May.'
Sing, sing, sing Terry all day
I repeated my suggestion to sing 'Terry all day.'
Sing, Autumn to May
I repeated my suggestion again to sing 'Autumn to May.'
Writer(s): Mahal
Contributed by Evelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.