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.
Oh
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The weather it was dry, sun so hot
I'd like to froze myself to death
Susanna don't you cry
Singin' oh, Susanna don't you, don't you
Don't you cry 'bout me
Cause I, 'cause I'm on my way to Alabama, baby
Well now it rained so hard the day I left
The weather it was dry, don't you know that
I would like to froze myself to death
Susanna don't you cry
Singin' oh, Susanna
Baby, don't you cry 'bout me
Cause I ,'cause I'm on my way to Alabama
Baby, with that banjo upon my knee
Come along, baby true love, baby
Honey, make me strong
Oh, woman when I'm standing near you, baby
You make me feel ten feet tall
Singin' singin' oh, Susanna
Baby, don't you cry 'bout me
Cause I'm on my way to Alabama
Baby with your banjo upon my knee
Well I come from Alabama
My true love for to see
I'm goin' down Louisiana
Baby, don't you cry about me
Singin' oh, Susanna
Baby, don't you cry 'bout me
Cause I'm on my way to Alabama
With the banjo upon my knee
Oh, give it up, give it up
Give it up, give it up, oh
Talkin' 'bout, oh Alabama
With the banjo upon my knee
Honey, oh, on my knee, baby
Oh, woman on my knee
Said but don't you understand?
It's on my knees
The song "Oh Susanna" by Taj Mahal is a remake of the classic American folk song composed by Stephen Foster in 1847. The starting lines of the song, "It rained so hard the day I left, the weather it was dry, sun so hot, I'd like froze myself to death, Susanna don't you cry," suggest the songwriter's toughness and resilience despite the difficult weather at the time he left. The chorus repeatedly tells Susanna that she shouldn't cry because he's on his way to Alabama with her banjo upon his knee. The banjo is a symbol of their love and also creates a musical tie to the roots of American folk music.
The song continues with the theme of true love and strength as the singer goes to Louisiana to see his true love. The repetition of the chorus and variations of the lyric reveal the focus of the songwriter on the banjo, Alabama, and Susanna. The song concludes with the declaration that the banjo is always on his knee, signifying the permanence of his love.
Line by Line Meaning
It rained so hard the day I left
On the day I left, it rained heavily
The weather it was dry, sun so hot
Despite the heavy rain, the weather was dry and the sun was hot
I'd like to froze myself to death
The heat was so intense that I wished I could freeze to death
Susanna don't you cry
Don't worry or cry, Susanna
Singin' oh, Susanna don't you, don't you
I'm singing to Susanna, asking her not to cry
Don't you cry 'bout me
There's no need to worry or cry about me
Cause I, 'cause I'm on my way to Alabama, baby
I'm going to Alabama
With your banjo upon my knee
I'll be carrying your banjo while I travel
Well now it rained so hard the day I left
Reiterating the fact that it rained heavily on his departure day
Don't you know that
Emphasizing the previous line
I would like to froze myself to death
The heat was unbearable and he wished he could freeze to death
Singin' oh, Susanna
Continuing to sing to Susanna
Baby, don't you cry 'bout me
Once again asking Susanna not to worry or cry
Cause I ,'cause I'm on my way to Alabama
He's still on his way to Alabama
Come along, baby true love, baby
Encouraging his true love to accompany him
Honey, make me strong
Asking his true love to support and strengthen him
Oh, woman when I'm standing near you, baby
Expressing how being near his true love makes him feel empowered
You make me feel ten feet tall
She makes him feel taller and more confident
Well I come from Alabama
He's originally from Alabama
My true love for to see
He's going to see his true love
I'm goin' down Louisiana
He's also going to Louisiana
Baby, don't you cry about me
Once again asking not to worry or cry
Oh, give it up, give it up
Encouraging something to be given up or ended
Talkin' 'bout, oh Alabama
Continuing to talk about Alabama
With the banjo upon my knee
Reiterating that he's carrying the banjo
Honey, oh, on my knee, baby
Referencing the banjo being on his knee once again
Oh, woman on my knee
He's still talking about the banjo
Said but don't you understand?
Asking if she understands
It's on my knees
Reiterating that the banjo is on his knee
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Blazestop
Found this song a few months ago and played it everyday for my wife Barbara Everone who was close to her called her Bee for short . It fit her perfectly and what I felt for her.She passed away suddenly 6 weeks ago and I still listen to it with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.
Thanks Taj. It's a great song to remember her by.
@scottculli7851
Jesus Christ I feel horrible about the comment. I left about the song I am so sorry for your loss, true love cannot be replaced, GOD bless you❤
@Tay7WonderDog
I've seen Taj twice now. The 1stbtime was in Napa and I brought my guitar. My mom went and got the car after the show and I sat on the curb with my guitar. I didn't get to meet Taj, but one of his guys was nice enough to take it back to Taj for him to sign for me. I waited and it was a while me and my mom finally thought maybe the guy just set my guitar somewhere back there and forgot about it and I'd never see it again.....I was wrong! A while later he came back with my guitar signed by Taj and said 'sorry it took so long, he tuned it for you and then got to playing it...' I felt so honored! Now my guitar is named Queen Bee!
@sebastiansullivan4770
What guitar is it?
@Tay7WonderDog
Just an old acoustic my parents got me back on HS, nothing fancy. Plays well enough
@cameronragsdale1402
Cool. Great story from a young person like your self. Never seen him live. Love. lovin from my babys eyes. One of my favorite songs period. Loved him with the stones. Your mom may be to young to remember that.
@apa_plainjane
you got yourself one soulful guitar now....
@danielfritz954
he surely put some of his mojo into your guitar :)
@catiobobthecatiobuilder
I ran into him as a kid (12 yo)in a coffee shop in occidental one time he was just sitting in the back quietly playing and I had a harp and was trying to play to what he was playing across the shop. He noticed and motioned me to come over and sit and play with him. One of my fondest memories from as a kid learning to plat the blues harp. He was so kind and patient.
@debrac1688
I want to hear you play!