The Red Rooster
Wolf Howlin Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I have a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow for day
I have a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard
Upset in every way

Oh, the dogs begin to bark and the
Hound begin to howl
Oh, the dogs begin to bark
Hound begin to howl
Oh, watch out, strange-kin people 'cause the
Little red rooster is on the prowl

If you see my little red rooster
Please drag him home
If you see my little red rooster
Please drag him home




There's been no peace in the barnyard
Since the little red rooster been gone

Overall Meaning

"The Red Rooster" is a classic blues song by Howlin' Wolf that tells the story of a lazy rooster that causes chaos in the barnyard. The lyrics focus on the rooster's laziness and how it frustrates the other animals. The rooster is too lazy to crow during the day, which is its main duty in the barnyard. As a result, the other animals are upset and agitated. The dogs bark and the hound howls, creating a chaotic atmosphere.


The song also suggests the rooster's sexual appetite. The lyrics, "Oh, watch out, strange-kin people 'cause the little red rooster is on the prowl" suggest that the rooster is on the hunt for a mate. This line has been interpreted by some as a metaphor for the rooster's power over women, a common theme in blues music.


The song's main message is that the rooster is causing trouble in the barnyard, and the other animals want it gone. The singer is asking for help to find the rooster and bring it back to the barnyard to restore peace. The Red Rooster is a classic blues song that showcases Howlin’ Wolf’s unique style.


Line by Line Meaning

I have a little red rooster
I own a small red rooster


Too lazy to crow for day
The rooster is too idle to make any noise during daytime


Keep everything in the barnyard
It controls everything that happens in the barnyard


Upset in every way
It makes everything in the barnyard go out of order


Oh, the dogs begin to bark and the
The dogs bark and the


Hound begin to howl
The hound howls


Oh, watch out, strange-kin people 'cause the
Pay attention to the unfamiliar folks because


Little red rooster is on the prowl
The red rooster is wandering around in search of something


If you see my little red rooster
If you find my small red rooster


Please drag him home
Take him back to the home


There's been no peace in the barnyard
The barnyard has been in unrest


Since the little red rooster been gone
Since the red rooster had left the barnyard




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH LEE WILLIAMS

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

Sensei Iceman

I have a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow for day
Well, I got a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard
Upset in every way
Well, the dogs begin to bark
Hound begin to howl
Well, the dogs begin to bark
Hound begin to howl
Oh, watch out, strange kind people
Little red rooster is on the prowl
Oh, if you see my little red rooster
Please drag him home
Well, if you see my little red rooster
Please drag him home
There no peace in the barnyard
Since the little red rooster been gone
I got a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow for day
Oh, I got a little red rooster
Too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard
Upset in every way



All comments from YouTube:

spoonerfive

The Howlin' Wolf London Sessions is really a classic! So many great songs! I wore the original vinyl album out, bought it as a CD, and put it on my ipod where it lives to this day!

Michael Clifton

Yes, the brief rehearsal segment is fantastic. Clapton suggesting to Wolf his (Clapton's) insecurities to pull it off without Wolf showing the way on guitar. A charming insight into the respect and love from one great artist to another - never meant to be heard by the public. Priceless!

Jagger Days

This session was introduced to me from a co worker in a lumberyard that we worked at. And it was a bad ass gift. I learned more about the origin of the blues man howling Wolf and the rest of the greatest from this session

Pena.

Thats Fucking A Beatuful Thing..Hope youve b'come Aware of Willie Dixon Playing Bass in Wolfs Band..Pjus He Took 'Hubert Sumlin'..To London too.Etc.Great Man I love the Man/everything he Did.!(*When the Sun Goes Down''-Aka :The Secret History of Rock n Roll.'-1-on Chester A.Burnett/wolf-/&Another on..i 4get..worth finding man.lol the Blues.dig Keith Richards @WTF/-W/-Marc Maron.very cool mentions of Howling Wolf/Chuck B/Etc.

Jagger Days

@Pena. wow! My respects,you are a blues guru hahahaha. You have gave me a raw lecture of the blues artist history and steps they took and the chain links of what they held in such history,I guess I'm a little feeling alright, but your comment is on point

Anna Lisa Vajda

Nice. Chess Records was a great film too as an introduction.

Benito Sevillano Macho

Cuanto le deben Stones, Yardbids, Clapton, Mayall, Burdon..etc..!!!! Los campos de algodón del Tamesis 😀. Muddy Watters DIXIT 😎

Mike Solomon

Still listening & loving this track since i first heard it in 1971.Inspired me to leanr how to play slide guitar.

Lord Austin

Great tune. Thanks for posting.

Jose Canales

Long live the howling wolf.

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