Dust My Broom
Wolf Howlin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom
I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'
I believe I'll dust my broom

I quit the best girl I'm lovin'
Now my friends can get in my room

I'm gonna write a letter
Telephone every town I know
I'm gonna write a letter
Telephone every town I know

If I don't find her in Mississippi
She be in East Monroe I know

And I don't want no woman
Wants every downtown man she meets
No, I don't want no woman
Wants every downtown man she meets

Man, she's a no good
Honey
They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah

I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I believe, I believe my time ain't long

I ain't gonna leave my baby
And break up my happy home

Overall Meaning

In "Dust My Broom," Wolf Howlin' is lamenting a lost love and seeking a new one. He is making plans to leave his current situation and start fresh. "I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'/I believe I'll dust my broom" indicates that he is leaving and moving on, and that he may even be cleaning out his current living space before he goes. He also plans on reaching out to every town he knows in hopes of finding his lost love. The refrain of "I believe, I believe my time ain't long" suggests that he knows he's running out of time, but still has hope that he'll find someone to love.

The third verse of the song seems to be directed at his lost love, warning her of the potential consequences of her actions. He states that he doesn't want a woman who "wants every downtown man she meets," and claims that she's "no good" and shouldn't be allowed on the street. This suggests that his lost love may have been promiscuous or unfaithful, and that this behavior ultimately led to their parting ways. The final verse reveals that despite his attempt to leave and move on, he's not willing to break up his "happy home" for just anyone, indicating that he's still holding out hope for a rekindled relationship with his lost love.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm gettin' up soon in the mornin'
I plan to get up early tomorrow morning.

I believe I'll dust my broom
I plan to leave town and start a new chapter in my life.

I quit the best girl I'm lovin'
I ended my relationship with my most beloved girlfriend.

Now my friends can get in my room
Now that I'm single, my friends may come over and visit more freely.

I'm gonna write a letter
I will send written messages to various towns.

Telephone every town I know
I will also make phone calls to every town I know.

If I don't find her in Mississippi
If I can't locate my girlfriend in Mississippi,

She be in East Monroe I know
she must be in East Monroe, as I'm familiar with her whereabouts.

And I don't want no woman
I don't want a woman who

Wants every downtown man she meets
flirts with every man she meets in town.

Man, she's a no good
She's a terrible woman.

Honey

They shouldn't allow her on the street, yeah
She shouldn't be allowed to walk around town.

I believe, I believe my time ain't long
I feel like I don't have much time left to live.

I ain't gonna leave my baby
I refuse to abandon my significant other.

And break up my happy home
I won't do anything to destroy our happy life together.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IKE TURNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@tbone4646

10y↑117

Whoever filmed this session did blues history a huge favor...can't imagine not seeing and hearing this. Wolf IS blues history.

@atmosphericjubilancy

10y↑4

right on

@Gallagherfreak100

12y↑34

What a lineup!! The incomparable Wolf on vocals and harp, a young Hubert Sumlin on lead guitar, Son House dancing and keeping time, off to the right side. We won't ever see the likes of this, again.

@marioski54

8y↑69

Howlin' Wolf singing Elmore James... And Son House behind beating time. Stunning!

@ddh2o759

8y↑6

+Mario Fiorentini I hadn't seen this video before - my kind of blues - how'd you figure out is was Son House in the audience?

@marioski54

8y↑9

dick dewater It'my kind too, dear friend of music. This clip is a part of a live in 1966. On YouTube there are many parts, and very amusing. If you search for "Howlin Wolf Son House" you find all them. Good blues to you from Italy!

@eightapeach2861

10y↑90

The WOLF makes these gangsta rappers of today look like a bus load of Pee Wee Hermans. THE WOLF- 6'6", 275 lbs of whoop ass

@TrillBill

8y↑7

Damn right lol

@petermaxwell4904

7y↑2

CONCUR..

@kenmills30

7y↑5

These rappers are essentially a bunch of mummies boys born out of the 80s me first well-fed all material comforts generation affecting both self-pity and machismo.

@gnomely1

10y↑17

If ever a session can be called a classic it's this one. Fundamental blues. Essential for anyone's education in music.

@RayGambol

7y↑17

Hubert Sumlin is killin it on guitar in the back row! He sounds great!

@murph5438

9y↑10

This cat was right at the top of all time bluesmen---the great Wolf

@kimberlygriffin6400

8y↑17

Luv it, the whole band was tight, & there was the Wolf A'howlin!!!!! This is deep southern blues at its best. Get it yall!!!!

@jeffmyers4662

8y↑11

This entire concert is an incredible "Thank god for Youtube" moment.

@MCBhangramuffin

8y↑29

Howlin wolf had a great singing voice and a great speaking voice

@clivemoney4548

8y↑6

raw blues from a legend.brilliant

@tennesseejoe2812

7y↑4

Son House's dancing is perfect XD

@boxingin

10y↑10

One of the best versions I've heard thus far.

@ckelley63

9y↑10

He lived a lifetime playing the black man's blues!!

@belldn3

7y↑4

I was born during the wrong time period, love this music.

@wesleyandary90

8y↑34

man hubert sumlin is such a great guitarist

@Exakta66

8y↑2

+wesley andary And he was a resident of Totawa, NJ...
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/blues_legend_hubert_sumlin_dea.html

@railcar123

7y↑1

Wonderful seeing Son House having a great time

@samghezzi

12y↑14

THE FUCKING BEST VERSION EVER.

@paulscott3114

10y↑2

Thank you for you tube.....great stuff!!!

@Geronimo122

9y↑5

The Mighty Wolf-- awesome!

@Threat33

11y↑2

amen brother. this is true music

@BelieveNoGod

11y↑1

Yea. :) I first found Howlin Wolf on a cd in the early 90's and it was Smokestack lightning, Oh my, I was sold from the first notes :)

@Ifitallfails

9y↑8

I believe my time aint long.
I got a letter this morning.
They breaking up this happy home.

@boogasunday1933

7y↑1

yeah I Love Sunhouse to ..... just because he's so into it !

@whocares1694

9y↑5

Love this stuff !

@laurretlynch4184

9y↑3

i love the blues

@voodooyam

8y↑14

it cant be better

@charlenebye8653

8y↑1

everything could be better...if people tried x

@rockfordelmore4874

8y↑31

wolf is sexually terrifying, he has always been valuable in my life because i've always looked to him and imagined myself in his shoes, listening to him makes me feel sexually empowered, its like you try to see yourself singing in such abandonment that you can transcend anything thats pissing you off

@scottbush6655

8y↑2

Nice to see that little snippet of Hubert .... Playing

@jeffreymartin8448

9y↑12

Using just 2 notes, Hubert Sumlin turned Smoke Stack Lightin into Ice sliding down the back of ya neck.

@williambranch8476

10y↑9

Hubert Sumelin on guitar, NEED I SAY ANYMORE!!!!!!!

@supplysarge

9y↑4

The Man

@chrisennis9605

9y↑9

Hubert Sumlin just makes this!

@theheavycreepysound2231

8y↑9

mr wolf...son house. robert jhonson..the best ever...

@34bully

8y↑3

robert johnson isn't there :D

@sesioramadhan5137

hubert sumlin on guitar

@vincentbrannelly8786

That cats got me in tears .

@lobothedog2002

12y↑1

This video is from '66, there are several other songs from this session also on YouTube, which is where I got the date.

@ursarex

9y↑5

At 1:23 the hairs on my arms stood up. This man was a monster.

@BelieveNoGod

11y↑1

Grreat. I wich he was born in this time. Then he would have had even more credit like he deserved. And all his musicians.

@MrMartininuk

8y↑5

SUPERB

@Flaubertsparrot

11y

Shivers down my spine

@lnm7276

7y↑1

heyyy.... pretty damn.... good. this style of music has this grab you sound that makes you want to move your body and dance prance, move, and groove to the body movin' bluesz...

@gallantguns

11y↑2

The key of open" D " of course

@stuartmackinnon3063

9y↑3

"When you've got a lazy woman ...." Love it!

@dfrost247

13y

There's only one and the ONE and ONLY...HOWLIN' WOOOOOLF!

@MrElectricrider

9y↑2

Awsome!!!

@stonesrocknrollmusic7262

Rock on, Brilliant:))))))

@torah58

8y↑4

I belive this is from the 1966 Newport Folk festival:

The Newport Folk Festival has long been known for its contribution to spreading the gospel of traditional American song. This 1966 performance from the festival was manufactured by celebrated archivist Alan Lomax. He created a juke joint atmosphere complete with flowing liquor and this film documents all the action. The juke joint setting may add considerable flavor, but even without the theatrics the footage of the blues legends stands on its own. Prime performances are delivered by Son House, Bukka White, Howlin' Wolf, Reverend Pearly Brown, and Skip James. Between songs the Wolf taunts Bukka and as the music plays the audience dances at a fever pitch.

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/devil_got_my_woman_blues_at_newport_1966/

@MrPernell27

10y↑5

Not sure, but I'm pretty sure I see Mr. Son House sitting in the corner having a damn good time. Wonder if he got up to play few. I got to meet Hubert Sumelin a few times when he'd play at Antones. Always had some damn good stories to tell about hanging out with The Wolf and Muddy, and a young Buddy Guy.

@fatassj

10y↑1

If you watch the Howlin Wolf Story (documentary) on youtube, it is actually Mr. Son House.

@TheMightyGreenEagle

9y↑7

Son House was little more than a sodden drunk whose career had long since vanished when Wolf discovered him. Wolf essentially bullied him into getting sober, and House was consequently able to have a rather successful career for the rest of his life. I saw him at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival in 1969, and I never forgot that performance. Wolf played at the same festival.

@nathalierobbie5377

10y

Soul Food!!!! Yes!!!!!

@BCDonutsComedy

11y↑1

from "the Howlin Wolf Story" dvd

@starryskiesforever

9y↑2

Auuu....!!!

@Jetluffyq8

13y

thanks for uploading the video

@sivvybee

13y↑1

You got your money's worth when you went to see this guy.

@toky9160

7y↑1

Damn! Until now i noticed there is Son House sitting next to him!

@firripsz

10y↑2

Great footage! Thanks for sharing it.

@Dokholiday787

11y↑1

A very young Hubert Sumlin in the back!

@soeirodays

10y

LOVE

@billyclub56

10y

Great!
Southern TV Preacher/ Elvis/ Samuel L Jackson

@MrDeadhead53

11y

AWESOME

@flaviosergio1970

12y↑2

muito bom!

@awsomeness573

great tune

@lesleyvannatta9923

Love you paul

@Laquariumvivant

10y↑3

" Superbe! ".

@Laquariumvivant

10y

Blues en G (Sol) donc prendre un harmonica en C (Do) pour improviser sur la gamme blues. :)

@Dandanell.

10y↑7

Son house wants in :-)

@patricialopez1969

12y

awesome

@mrmatt989

12y

It's out there. You just have to look real hard.

@Thejanjan39

12y↑4

LOVE it! Does anyone know the year of this recording, or this video, here? Damn, they're good.

@Tavaressable

11y↑1

Just 22K views? This world must end as well.

@Bluestomiv

11y

SON HOUSE IS HILARIOUS!

@ill76er11

9y↑2

I believe ...... I believe I'm gonna dust my broom...

@troopers8

11y↑1

And to think, 5 minutes later, they got in a huge fight.

@JaguarAJ6

10y

Yup pretty awesom. Love the comment below re modern (c)rap . Ole son House grooving away there, pissed as usual.

@alyssakelley7418

9y↑1

nice

@GuitarlosCarlos

11y

YEAH THAT'S SON HOUSE SNAPPING HIS FINGERS

@TheFirstBloodyNation

12y↑1

They need to put this music in games like Call Of Duty, maybe then those damn kids know real music.

@TolgaYalniz

10y↑1

fucking good, holy

@Immrgetitin

13y

I THINK I NEED TO DUST MY DAMN BROOM!!!!

@Bluestomiv

11y↑1

he used whatever vocal mic was present and i am certain he played a Hohner marine band harmonica.

@jfoley715

9y↑3

We still talkin' 'bout sweepin'?

@ShakeyJakeBlues

10y↑2

Did you know this was uploaded on his birthday, June 10? It's mine too. :-) I was just wondering if it was planned or coincidence.

@sunlitstormclouds

10y↑6

Listening to him talk, I have to wonder if Wolfman jack's speaking style was influenced by Howlin Wolf.

@Brian_tim

8y↑3

Yes, both Wolfman Jack's name and speaking style were influenced by Howlin Wolf.

@Dokholiday787

11y

Fuck yeah!

@prickcheney87

11y

yhea,, and in gta. have one genre of the blues like this... never happen most people don't know what music is,,,,,

@vincentbrannelly8786

White man listening ! Never heard better .

@MyRevolutionbynight

12y

Do anyone know which mic he used? and harmonica?

@GrisGrisOnUrDoorStep

12y

Its a Hohner blues harp Im not sure of the key maybe D

@phildavies224

8y↑4

what was there before the blues?

@vacantplanet

8y↑1

+Phil Davies darkness

@sydhayran5105

8y↑1

Pain, so Blues could have a reason to exist. :)

@charlenebye8653

+Syd Hayran I think pain existed before the Blues...no guitars...bang two stones together and shouting, maybe x

@KLuqman01

7y↑1

Spirituals and work songs existed before the blues.

@petermaxwell4904

THE salvation army! I'm not KIDDING !

@ArikBulldog

11y

which key they are playing?

@boogasunday1933

7y↑1

i was 50yrs of age before i discovered the Wolf....i was always into what s now called classic rock , then i discovered Beefheart and went nuts about him and now everything else compared to the Wolf is superficial pop bubblegum ( although Beefheart pays good omage. check out " Spoonful the mighty rams and me " on you tube ..its only an amateur tribrute but it s paid to the wolf with sincerity....

@TheCircocucur

Hubert Wolf ...

@routeclarksdale

Mario : Wolf doing an Elmore James version of Robert Johnson's song Dust my room!

@routeclarksdale

Mario : Wolf doing an Elmore James version of Robert Johnson's song Dust my broom!

@routeclarksdale

Michael Dandanell : Son House was to drunk to join in !!! The story goes that Son got so drunk and made a foul out of himself on that day. Wolf was pissed and scolded Son House for getting so drunk.