I've never seen the lyrics to John Lee Hooker's "No Shoes" (1960) transcribed, so here's my quick and dirty take. It's simple but deep as is often the case with Hooker. This one is as delivered on the Travelin' album and later compilations. The great bluesman -- who made his breakthrough in Detroit -- could barely read or write, yet he composed scores and scores of memorable songs.
Aside: "No Shoes" appears briefly in the background during Ridley Scott's American Gangster (2007) in a scene where Frank Lucas gathers his family in Greensboro, North Carolina.
If anyone has any suggestions for tweaking this transcription, by all means . . .
Aside: "No Shoes" appears briefly in the background during Ridley Scott's American Gangster (2007) in a scene where Frank Lucas gathers his family in Greensboro, North Carolina.
If anyone has any suggestions for tweaking this transcription, by all means . . .
No food on my table
And no shoes to go on my feet
No food on my table
And no shoes to go on my feet
My children cry for mercy
They ain’t got no place to call their own
And no shoes to go on my feet
No food on my table
And no shoes to go on my feet
My children cry for mercy
They ain’t got no place to call their own
Hard times, hard times
Hard times seem like a jealous thing
Hard times, hard times
Hard times seem like a jealous thing
If somebody don’t help me
And I just can’t be around free much long[er]
Hard times seem like a jealous thing
Hard times, hard times
Hard times seem like a jealous thing
If somebody don’t help me
And I just can’t be around free much long[er]
No shoes on my feet
And no food go on my table, oh no
It’s too sad
The children crying for bread
And no food go on my table, oh no
It’s too sad
The children crying for bread
Today's Rune: Journey, Partnership.
3 comments:
This may replace America the Beautiful soon enough.
My blues education is sorely lacking. Most everything I know I've learned from visiting your site.
Seconding what Charles said. lol.
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