Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 1942) is an American Grammy Award-winning blues musician who incorporates elements of world music into his music. A self-taught singer, songwriter, and film composer who plays the guitar, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his 50 year career by fusing it with non-traditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific.

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.

Texas Woman Blues
Taj Mahal Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Far below the northern lights
Far below the northern lights
Far below the northern lights

Oh, I wish I was in Texas
Movin' on a steady roll
I wish I was in Texas
Movin' on a steady roll

You know I love that fine lookin'
Texas woman to satisfy my soul

You know my baby is sweet as honey
Sweet from the honey bee
You know my baby is sweet as honey
Sweet from the honey bee
Ain't nothin' else to sing of in my life
Ooh, she'd be so nice to me

Lord, it ain't no use to worry
Ain't no use to mourn
Lord, ain't no use to worry
Ain't no use to mourn
You know the way I love that woman
I just can't stand to leave alone

Jives on this song

Got love for ten women
But the one woman on my mind
She don't treat me like no stranger
She treat me nice and kind

She don't worry about the neighbors
'Cause they might not like what they see
She could care less about what they sayin'
She's a woman and she's absolutely free

I wish I was down there in Texas
Swingin' on a steady roll
I'd love that San Antonio woman
To satisfy my soul

I'd love that San Antonio woman
To satisfy my soul
?

I'd love that fine, fine Texas woman
To satisfy my soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Taj Mahal's "Texas Woman Blues" paint a vivid picture of a man longing for the freedom and easy living of Texas, far away from the frigid and bleak north. He sings of his desire to move on a steady roll, but it is not just any roll he pines for - he yearns for the warmth and satisfaction that can only be found in the company of a fine-looking Texas woman. Taj Mahal's voice drips with longing and desire as he describes his ideal woman, who is as sweet as honey and carefree as can be.

The lyrics of this song resonate on a deep level, as they touch on universal themes of love, longing, and the search for fulfillment. Taj Mahal's bluesy sound is the perfect backdrop for these heartfelt lyrics, and together they create a moving and soulful experience for the listener.

Line by Line Meaning

Far below the northern lights
The singer is currently away from Texas and is yearning to be there.

Oh, I wish I was in Texas Movin' on a steady roll I wish I was in Texas Movin' on a steady roll You know I love that fine lookin' Texas woman to satisfy my soul
The singer wishes to be in Texas, moving around with a sense of purpose. He longs for a beautiful Texas woman who can fulfill his desires.

You know my baby is sweet as honey Sweet from the honey bee You know my baby is sweet as honey Sweet from the honey bee Ain't nothin' else to sing of in my life Ooh, she'd be so nice to me
The Texas woman is compared to the sweetness of honey. The singer is completely devoted to her and nothing else in his life can compare to her.

Lord, it ain't no use to worry Ain't no use to mourn Lord, ain't no use to worry Ain't no use to mourn You know the way I love that woman I just can't stand to leave alone
The singer is completely unable to cope without the Texas woman. He is asking the Lord not to worry or mourn for him, because his love for her is all-encompassing.

Jives on this song
This line is unclear and does not appear to contribute to the overall meaning of the song.

Got love for ten women But the one woman on my mind She don't treat me like no stranger She treat me nice and kind
The singer may have been in love with other women, but it is this one Texas woman who has captured his heart. She treats him with kindness and respect, unlike any other woman before her.

She don't worry about the neighbors 'Cause they might not like what they see She could care less about what they sayin' She's a woman and she's absolutely free
The Texas woman is not bothered by the opinions of others. She is living her life the way she wants to and is completely free.

I wish I was down there in Texas Swingin' on a steady roll I'd love that San Antonio woman To satisfy my soul I'd love that San Antonio woman To satisfy my soul ? I'd love that fine, fine Texas woman To satisfy my soul
The singer reiterates his desire to be in Texas, moving with a sense of rhythm. He specifically mentions a woman from San Antonio who could fulfill his desires. He loves Texas women and longs to be with one of them to truly satisfy his soul.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TAJ MAHAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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