Skip, like many other black men of his time, was forced to do demeaning work for little to no pay just to try to make ends meet. The term killing floor is an analogy for the depression in this case, but historically, killing floor refers to the cold slaughterhouse floors where many black Americans during the Great Depression were forced to work. James lyrics perfectly convey this sense of uncertainty and desperation, almost putting the listener in his shoes. During The Great Depression, people were subject to drifting from door to door, finding any way possible to make a living. Skip James wrote the song in the Jim Crow south during The Great Depression, signifying just how difficult life was for him back then. Although famous guitarist Howard Sumlin says that the term killing floor refers to a woman having you down, its obvious that Skip James uses this in a different context. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues paints the picture of extreme poverty and despair, which rings true to the time period it was written and recorded in. These hard times will drive you from door to door Behind the Lyrics Sing this song and I aint gonna sing no more No-no, no-no, Ill never get down this low no moreĪnd you say you had money, you better be sureĬause these hard times will drive you from door to door These hard times can last us so very long Well, you hear me singin my lonesome song These hard times will kill you just dry long so Hear me tell you people, just before I go Spier sent James to record at Paramount Records in Grafton, Wisconsin, where he recorded Hard Time Killing Floor Blues in a makeshift studio in the Wisconsin Chair Factorys attic.Ĭlick HERE to Check Prices On The Complete O Brother Where Art Thou Soundtrack Hard Time Killing Floor Blues Lyrics:Īnd the people are driftin from door to doorĬant find no heaven, I dont care where they go
Spier, who recognized the unadulterated talent that James possessed. Skip James auditioned for local talent scout and record store owner H.C. In 1931, Skips talent was finally noticed. His signature minor-key sound and fingerpicking guitar-playing technique have given his music a dark and gritty feeling unlike any other artist back then. His music is distinguishable from any other musician in modern history. Skips early influence from Stuckey planted a seed that would grow into one of the greatest blues artists of all time. As a young man, Skip idolized local musician Henry Stuckey and learned to play guitar from him. Nehemiah Curtis Skip James was a Delta Blues artist born and raised in the small town of Bentonia located in Yazoo County, Mississippi. Skip James wrote the song in 1931, during not only The Great Depression but also in the deep, Jim Crow South. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues has been covered for decades by several famous artists, but its origins have deep, sorrowful roots in The Great Depression. I don't know what to do, know what to do, I don't know what to doĪnd I'm so tired, you know I am tired, I am tired. I'm so glad, I am glad, I am glad, I'm glad I'm so tired of moaning, tired of groaning, tired of moaning for you I'm tired of weeping, tired of moaning, tired of groaning for youĪnd I'm so glad, I am glad, I am glad, I'm gladĪnd I'm so glad, you know I am glad, I am glad, I'm glad I don't knows what to do, don't know what to do, I don't know what to do
I'm so glad, and I am glad, I am glad, I'm glad Is there another song like it? I guess he was glad. Skip James' recording of "I'm So Glad" from his 1931 sessions is such an exciting track-he takes the song at a tremendous clip, and even at that breakneck tempo is able to play with startling dynamics. Raisin' up stirment everywhere you goĭon't you let him catch you like He done beforeĮdited 6/19 to pick up correction from banjochris Skippin' and dancin' on the barroom floor REFRAIN: Be ready when He comes, be ready when He comesĭon't let him catch your heart filled with sinĭon't let him catch you like He done before I'd appreciate help with any bent bracketed passages.
#Hard time killing floor blues lyrics full
He sang this song full voice rather than falsetto, and his voice was singularly sweet. Once again, Skip utilizes octaves a lot in the left hand in his arrangement of the song, this time closely tracking the melody. Skip's other religious recording from his early sessions was "Be Ready When He Comes", played in cross-note tuning like "Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader". He's a mighty good leader, He's a mighty good leader REFRAIN: Let Jesus lead you, let Jesus lead you Here is his 1931 performance of the song:
He always resolves to a I7 chord, which nothing in the melody prior to that has suggested. As the melody ascends in the second and third phrases of each verse, he harmonizes with it on the guitar in octaves, and it sure is pretty. Skip James recorded "Jesus Is A Mighty Good Leader" in 1931, accompanying himself out of cross-note tuning.
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