In the late 1960s, Taj Mahal performed and recorded the song with the late guitarist Jesse Ed Davis playing slide guitar. A great interpretation in itself, it is also given credit for inspiring a young Duane Allman to learn slide guitar. Although different stories exist on exactly how Allman first heard the Taj Mahal/Jesse Ed Davis version, the impact on rock music cannot be overstated as Allman became the acknowledged master of slide guitar, inspiring countless others to adopt the style. After he formed the Allman Brothers Band, "Statesboro Blues" became a signature song for the band. Their 1971 album, "Live at the Fillmore East" included a scorching version of the song, with only the lyrics recognizable to the original McTell song.
Statesboro Blues
Taj Mahal Lyrics
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Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
Have you got the nerve to drive poor papa Taj from your door?
Woke up this mornin' baby, I had them Statesboro blues.
Statesboro Georgia, that is.
Woke up this mornin, had them Statesboro blues.
Looked over in the corner, well my baby had 'em too.
Mama died and left me reckless, Papa died and left me wild,
I ain't good lookin baby, but I'm someone's sweet angel child.
Going to the country, baby do you want to go?
I know if you can't make it, your sister Lucille say she wanta go.
You know I loved that woman better than any woman I'd ever seen.
Yes I loved that woman better than any woman I'd ever seen.
She treat me like a king, I treat her like she was a doggone Queen.
Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
Have you got the nerve to drive papa Taj from your door?
The Taj Mahal's song Statesboro Blues is a classic blues song, originally recorded in 1928 by Blind Willie McTell. The lyrics tell the story of a man who wakes up with the blues and his baby also feels the same way. He talks about his Mama who left him alone and Papa who died leaving him wild. He also describes himself as not good looking but someone's sweet angel child. The man then asks his baby if she wants to go to the country with him, but if she can't make it, her sister Lucille says she'll go. Finally, he speaks about a woman he loved and who treated him like a king, but he treated her like a doggone queen.
The artist's raw and soulful voice complements the simple yet powerful guitar riffs, which convey the pain and longing behind the lyrics. Despite its simple structure, the song is rich in emotions and evokes the feeling of waking up feeling down, as if there is no escape from the blues.
The song has been covered by several artists, including The Allman Brothers Band, who turned it into a rock classic. The Taj Mahal's version is a testament to the enduring power of the blues to capture the joys and sorrows of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes now, wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
I'm asking you to wake up, mama, and turn the lamp down low so we can talk in private.
Have you got the nerve to drive poor papa Taj from your door?
Do you have the audacity to ask me to leave, although I make an effort to come over to see you and spend some time together?
Woke up this mornin' baby, I had them Statesboro blues.
Statesboro Georgia, that is.
Woke up this mornin, had them Statesboro blues.
Looked over in the corner, well my baby had 'em too.
This morning I woke up with a feeling of depression and sadness that's hard to describe; even my partner had it too.
Mama died and left me reckless, Papa died and left me wild,
I ain't good lookin baby, but I'm someone's sweet angel child.
My parents passed away and left me lost and confused, but I know deep down that I'm special and have worth, even if I'm not conventionally attractive.
Going to the country, baby do you want to go?
I know if you can't make it, your sister Lucille say she wanta go.
I want to go out to the countryside, and if you can't come along, your sister mentioned wanting to go with me.
You know I loved that woman better than any woman I'd ever seen.
Yes I loved that woman better than any woman I'd ever seen.
She treat me like a king, I treat her like she was a doggone Queen.
I was madly in love with this woman and she treated me well; in return, I made her feel like royalty.
Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low.
Have you got the nerve to drive papa Taj from your door?
I'm pleading with you again to turn the lamp down low, but do you still want me to leave? Do you really want to push me away?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Willie McTell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Schwartz
I had the pleasure of being in a band that opened for Taj Mahal in 1978 and I can tell you he's an American treasure. Jesse Edwin Davis III played slide on the studio version and inspired Duanne Allman in my opinion. 40 years later I reconnected with Taj and spent a 1/2 hour revisiting the gig. He's a treasure.
Philip Davison
I'm a Scottish boy. First heard this on some compilaton album around 1969. Freaked out. Got into Duane later. Love them both. And I've had the good fortune to visit Georgia a few times since. Never been so welcomed outside Scotland. Grat folks. God bless y'all.
perkinscrane
CBS’s “The Rock Machine Turns You On”. The first sampler LP. The cost was 12/6.
Jon Wan
as a duly designated representative of the great state of Georgia I say - thanks for comin down we loved havin ya. come on back down anytime and bring some of that good tastin scotch whisky with you when you do. we'll supply the music you just come on down
Eric Clark
@perkinscrane well worth 12/6!
George Mann
A fellow Scotsman here, it’s on my bucket list to head over to the States and check out some of the real blues roots,what was your , 🏴🏴🏴🏴, cheers from Aberdeen
George Mann
Itenary
Artie Fischel
I love this version, used to listen to it as a kid, but Blind Willie McTell is one of the reasons I took up the 12-string.
Mikey J.
I love blasting this song in my car and driving anywhere. Tops!
DWBonny
Quite possibly God’s favorite rendition...