Blues
Various Artists Lyrics


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Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Under a haystack, fast asleep
Will you wake him? No, not I
If I do, he's sure to cry

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Under a haystack, he's fast asleep
Will you wake him? No, not I
If I do, he's sure to cry

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Under a haystack, fast asleep
Will you wake him? No, not I
If I do, he's sure to cry

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Under a haystack, fast asleep




Will you wake him? No, not I
If I do, he's sure to cry

Overall Meaning

This classic children’s nursery rhyme, β€œLittle Boy Blue,” is often thought to be a simple song about a boy who falls asleep on the job of looking after his sheep. However, upon closer examination, there seems to be a deeper meaning behind the lyrics. The shepherd boy’s neglect of his duties, represented by the sheep invading the meadow and the cow in the corn, suggests a kind of neglect or abandonment. This may allude to the failure of parental guardianship or even suggest the broader theme of societal neglect, looking after one's own needs over the needs of the community as a whole.


Further, the reference to the boy's crying if he is awoken may signify a certain infantilization that could reflect larger cultural themes regarding conformity and submission. The repetition of the same verses three times could represent a cycle that is difficult to escape, much like poverty and neglect, which are cyclical and can be hard to break free from. Overall, the song seems to invoke a bittersweet sense of nostalgia with a subtle message that points to societal responsibility.


Line by Line Meaning

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
Calling out to Little Boy Blue to play his instrument


The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
The animals are out of their designated areas


Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Asking for the whereabouts of the sheepherder


Under a haystack, fast asleep
The sheepherder is taking a nap under a stack of hay


Will you wake him? No, not I
Refusing to wake up the sleeping sheepherder


If I do, he's sure to cry
Predicting the sheepherder would react negatively if woken up


Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn
Repeating the call for Little Boy Blue to play his instrument


The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn
Reiterating that the animals are out of their designated areas


Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
Asking for the whereabouts of the sheepherder once again


Under a haystack, he's fast asleep
Stating that the sleeping sheepherder is still under the stack of hay


Will you wake him? No, not I
Continuing to refuse to wake up the sleeping sheepherder


If I do, he's sure to cry
Repeating the prediction that the sheepherder would react negatively if woken up




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@henkvoorwinde6516

【00:00】01 - Set A Date - Homesick James 2:44
【02:45】02 - Dusty Road - John Lee Hooker 3:05
【05:48】03 - Nineteen Years Old - Muddy Waters 4:55
【10:46】04 - San Francisco Bay Blues - Jesse Fuller 2:40
【13:31】05 - Blues In G - Mance Lipscomb 3:33
【17:05】06 - Moanin' The Blues - Mississippi John Hurt 3:15
【20:21】07 - Dynaflow Blues - Johnny Shines 2:35
【22:57】08 - Mountain Blues - Sonny Terry 3:04
【26:05】09 - It's All Right, Baby - Joe Turner & Pete Johnson 2:30
【28:44】10 - Key To The Highway - Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee 3:38
【32:24】11 - Burning Fire - Otis Spann 3:15
【35:40】12 - Cotton Field Blues - Lightning Hopkins 5:36
【41:18】13 - Louise, Louise Blues - Big Bill Broonzy 2:55
【44:14】14 - Tighten Up On It - Johnny Young 3:06
【47:24】15 - Ain't Nobody's Business - James Cotton 3:23
【50:48】16 - How Long, How Long Blues - Jimmy Rushing 4:45
【55:40】17 - Cypress Grove Blues - Skip James 4:10
【59:58】18 - Please Help - J.B. Hutto 2:52
【62:52】19 - Fred's Rambling Blues - Fred McDowell 2:05
【65:02】20 - On My Way From Texas - Robert Pete Williams 3:43
【68:52】21 - It's A Mean Old World - Otis Rush 2:22



@franciscocruzadococa5530

AGENDA:
【00:00】01 - Set A Date - Homesick James 2:44
【02:45】02 - Dusty Road - John Lee Hooker 3:05
【05:48】03 - Nineteen Years Old - Muddy Waters 4:55
【10:46】04 - San Francisco Bay Blues - Jesse Fuller 2:40
【13:31】05 - Blues In G - Mance Lipscomb 3:33
【17:05】06 - Moanin' The Blues - Mississippi John Hurt 3:15
【20:21】07 - Dynaflow Blues - Johnny Shines 2:35
【22:57】08 - Mountain Blues - Sonny Terry 3:04
【26:05】09 - It's All Right, Baby - Joe Turner & Pete Johnson 2:30
【28:44】10 - Key To The Highway - Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee 3:38
【32:24】11 - Burning Fire - Otis Spann 3:15
【35:40】12 - Cotton Field Blues - Lightning Hopkins 5:36
【41:18】13 - Louise, Louise Blues - Big Bill Broonzy 2:55
【44:14】14 - Tighten Up On It - Johnny Young 3:06
【47:24】15 - Ain't Nobody's Business - James Cotton 3:23
【50:48】16 - How Long, How Long Blues - Jimmy Rushing 4:45
【55:40】17 - Cypress Grove Blues - Skip James 4:10
【59:58】18 - Please Help - J.B. Hutto 2:52
【62:52】19 - Fred's Rambling Blues - Fred McDowell 2:05
【65:02】20 - On My Way From Texas - Robert Pete Williams 3:43
【68:52】21 - It's A Mean Old World - Otis Rush 2:22

Thanks Henk Voorwinde



All comments from YouTube:

@dotiabaya8789

Great compilation. Thanks.

@svorttsirhc1814

Comment for all the blues folk

Ironic how the blues make you feel better or less sad when your down and out .... So greatful for the blues

@Lola-gi3wt

Amazing!!!whauuuuu!!! The best bluesman together in a single great Γ‘lbum!!! πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

@bobhubbuck

just great music again takes me back to past times keep them coming.

@rubengarciaruiz2617

Magnifico collage

@annegandega9661

Anne from Paris

@the26121966

Thanks You Henk β€β€πŸ§‘πŸ‘Œ
Marinoni Claudio in Milano

@dianebonneau2350

Fabulous compilation πŸŽΉπŸŽΌβ˜•οΈ

@KentonJoseph

I had this when I was kid and wore it out. Have always went back this version of Otis Spann "Burnin" Fire". Still the best piano in my mind.

@WilliamTBooth-ew3ig

As a blues harp player I would jam along with this lp...

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