The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #4025   Message #21352
Posted By: Tom
13-Feb-98 - 10:26 AM
Thread Name: Origin: Sweet Home Chicago / Kokomo Blues
Subject: RE: sweet home chicago
In reference to Jon's comment about Rbt. Johnson and his geography skills. I'm sure RJ knew where both Chicago and California were located. The California reference "the land of Calfornia" in Sweet Home Chicago is a reference to a mythical place that is, I believe, derived from Spanish culture of the 16-17th Century. Similar to what we may refer to as Paradise.

Also, many of RJ's songs and lyrics were scooped from the culture at large -- which is typical of blues and any folk tradition. From my understanding, even many classical pieces have folk underpinnings.