Never Drive a Stranger from Your Door
Willie Harris Lyrics
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Never drive a stranger from your door
If he come to your home, got no place to go
Make him down a pallet on your floor
Baby, won't you make me down a pallet on your floor?
Make me down a pallet on your floor
Make it soft and low, right behind your door
Oh, what make how I love my baby so?
What make how I love my baby so?
Tell me what make how I love my baby so?
She makes five dollars and she give me four
Honey babe, I certainly do love you
Honey baby, I certainly do love you
Honey baby, I certainly do love you
But I don't like that lowdown way you do
Don't you never drive a stranger from your door
Never drive a stranger from your door
If I come to your home, got no place to go
Make me down a pallet on your floor
The lyrics of Willie Harris's song “Never Drive a Stranger from Your Door” encourage hospitality, kindness, and generosity towards strangers. The song emphasizes the importance of providing shelter to those who do not have a place to go. The repetition of the first two lines emphasizes the message of never turning away someone who is in need. Rather than refusing to help, we should go out of our way and create a place for people in need. The song goes on to discuss the idea of love, with the singer expressing love for his partner but disliking certain aspects of her behavior. The chorus repeats the message of never driving strangers away.
The themes of the song reflect the experiences of African Americans during the early and mid-20th century. It was common for African Americans to be turned away from white homes and businesses, which led to the creation of the Green Book, a travel guide that listed safe places for African Americans to stay and eat during their travels. The idea of giving strangers a place to stay, even if they are not known, provides a sense of community and belonging that is often denied to marginalized groups. The song also reflects the importance of resilience and perseverance during times of hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you never drive a stranger from your door
Do not turn away someone in need who comes to your doorstep
Never drive a stranger from your door
Reiterating the importance of not turning away strangers who seek help
If he come to your home, got no place to go
If someone comes to your home without a place to stay
Make him down a pallet on your floor
Provide them a comfortable spot to rest for the night
Baby, won't you make me down a pallet on your floor?
Asking the host to provide a comfortable place to sleep
Make me down a pallet on your floor
Requesting for a makeshift bed on the floor
Make it soft and low, right behind your door
Make the bed comfortable and discreet, just behind the door
Make it where your husband never know
Ensure that the host's husband is not aware of the guest sleeping in the house
Oh, what make how I love my baby so?
What is the reason for my intense love for my partner?
What make how I love my baby so?
Asking oneself about the reason behind their strong love for their partner
Tell me what make how I love my baby so?
Requesting for an answer as to why they love their partner so much
She makes five dollars and she give me four
The partner's income is lower, yet they still provide for the artist as much as they can
Honey babe, I certainly do love you
Expressing love for the partner
Honey baby, I certainly do love you
The singer loves their partner dearly
Honey baby, I certainly do love you
Reiterating the previous statement about loving their partner
But I don't like that lowdown way you do
Disliking a certain behavior of the partner
If I come to your home, got no place to go
If the artist ever finds themselves without a place to stay
Make me down a pallet on your floor
Asking the host to provide a comfortable spot to sleep
Contributed by Luke A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheBlackSongBird
I think that Sam Chatman singing