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.
You're Going to Need Somebody on Your Bond
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna need somebody on your bond
When it's late 'round midnight and old man
Death comes slippin' into the room
You're gonna need somebody on your bond
You take Mary and Martha standin' up in the hillside
Mary explainin' to Martha, "Darlin', look at the river deep and the water wide"
Tellin' everybody they're gonna need somebody on their bond
Whoa, you take Maivus Staples and ole Corn Cheevers [unverified]
They got the good side on their bond
Oh, I been listen to the music people ever since the day I was born
My momma raised me in a room across from the church by the tree
And that sweet gospel music, oh how it used to comfort me
Tellin' everybody they're gonna need somebody on their bond
The lyrics of Taj Mahal's "You're going to need somebody on your bond" is a spiritual song that speaks to the human condition of mortality and the need for support during times of distress. The song's opening lines "You're gonna need somebody on your bond child, you're gonna need somebody on your bond", warns that there will be a moment in our lives where we will require someone's help to cope with death's inevitability when it comes creeping into our room.
The song also makes mention of Mary and Martha and their conversation on the hillside. They stand at the edge of the river, with Mary describing the depth and the width of the water while Moses makes his way up the hill with big stones. The lyrics suggest that even faithful souls must acknowledge the need for support, “telling everybody they’re gonna need somebody on their bond".
Taj Mahal's song encourages the notion that there is strength in numbers, that there is wisdom to be gained from seeking support from the people that we love and respect. The lyrics share a message of hope that even in the face of death, there is something that can be done to ease the pain and fortify the spirit. Mahal reminds us that every human being, no matter the color of their skin, social background, or personal circumstances, has a bond and that bond is strengthened by love and compassion.
Line by Line Meaning
You're gonna need somebody on your bond child
You're going to require someone to be a guarantor or cosigner for you.
You're gonna need somebody on your bond
You will need someone to provide support or assistance for you.
When it's late 'round midnight and old man
Death comes slippin' into the room
You're gonna need somebody on your bond
When death approaches you, you will need someone to console and support you.
You take Mary and Martha standin' up in the hillside
Mary explainin' to Martha, "Darlin', look at the river deep and the water wide"
Here comes ole Moses, faithful Moses carryin' big ole stones up the hill
Tellin' everybody they're gonna need somebody on their bond
You should prepare for the unforeseen future by having someone to support and guide you through tough times, like Mary, Martha, and Moses.
Whoa, you take Maivus Staples and ole Corn Cheevers [unverified]
They got the good side on their bond
Maivus Staples and Corn Cheevers have someone to support and encourage them, giving them an advantage.
Oh, I been listen to the music people ever since the day I was born
My momma raised me in a room across from the church by the tree
And that sweet gospel music, oh how it used to comfort me
Music, specifically gospel music, has always been a source of comfort and solace for me.
Tellin' everybody they're gonna need somebody on their bond
The underlying message in this song is that everyone will require the support of others at some point in their life.
Contributed by Grayson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stevenlingard1218
Saw him with a couple of guitars (mississippi nat'l) in a big barn, ALONE @ Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. 1972. What a show, it was jammed!
@malbuff
This tune was a fixture on the original WHFS-FM, 102.3, Bethesda, Maryland, in the early 1970s. And I was blessed to see Taj sit in with the Earl Scruggs Revue on Austin City Limits about 1973 or so. What a blast!
@georgekello6849
Also a staple at Progressive WOWI-FM 102.9, Norfolk, VA.
@jtaztar
Bought this album when it came out on vinyl. Saw Taj in SF after he released Giant Step and was a fan ever since. Great singer and musician. Saw him again years later in Houston at Big Johns. This album (The Real Thing) was one of the greatest he ever did.
@kurcbuzdegan6005
Saw him with his "heavy brass" band, April 23rd, 1971 at Billy Graham's Filmore West in San Francisco, and have been a fan ever since. Day after, was in the 156,000 person SF peace march, protesting the Vietnam war, 45 years ago today. Time passes way too quickly, but great music is truly timeless.
@WildDismay
Thankfully all of the "Heavy Brass" gang are still around and performing: HoJo (Howard Johnson), Bob Stewart, JoDa (Joe Daley) and Earl McIntyre. They released a new album together (and with the rest of Gravity) last year, "Testimony", here's a cut:
https://youtu.be/_27iO3-A5cM
@malbuff
Wild Dismay HoJo and McIntyre made up two-fifths of the horn section for the Band's "Rock of Ages" shows, same year.
@WildDismay
@malbuff From what Joe Daley tells me, Taj would hire as many of the "Gravity" gang as possible whenever he could. This was an amazing collection of low brass specialists who are still going. Search for "Blood, Sweat and Tears tuba solo" to find Dave Bargeron laying it out. Dave was and still is a part of that group.
@jameskennedy6647
Excuse me for a being a tad late, but love and now can perform some of the awesome tunes the Taj gifted us with
@daskitten1
yep; had it on vinyl, then bought the cd for the additional tune; "my baby caught the katy & left me a mule to ride".
great bass by the under appreciated Billy Rich. he drives every tune like a steam locomotive coming down the track..