Lyr Req: Walking Blues (Robert Johnson)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Walking Blues (Robert Johnson)
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 03 Feb 21 - 08:36 AM

This song appears in three songbooks in my collection, and two of them seem to agree on the reference to Elgin movement and break in on a dollar in (Sam Charters and Stefan Grossman); the third by Woody Mann only includes the first verse (sneaky or what?).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Walking Blues (Robert Johnson)
From: keberoxu
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 10:45 PM

His recorded vocal for this particular song
is one of my favorite Robert Johnson vocals,
as it is witty and sly along with being deeply felt --
a sophisticated performance.

Johnson has a grandson who went into gospel singing, bless him.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Walking Blues (Robert Johnson)
From: GUEST,Phlyin' Phil
Date: 02 Feb 21 - 05:29 PM

that sounds right about break in on a dollar.Have any of you folks ever made the pilgrimage to Clarksdale,Miss.? If you haven't it should be on your bucket list or whatever.An education to say the least.If you are a true blues lover it's a must.Also found Robert Johnsons grave.GAVE ME CHILLS.Wonderful experience!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: Tweed
Date: 04 May 03 - 09:57 PM

Heck VL, I don't suppose anybody knows for sure unless you were to talk to somebody who lived back then and knew the real meaning behind some of the phrases on those old records. For all we know it mighta had something to do with a crap game or something completely different from any of that ;~)

Yerz,
Tweed

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: Stewie
Date: 04 May 03 - 09:56 PM

Giac, thanks for the link to blues lyrics and hoodoo site. Looks like a good'un to explore.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: van lingle
Date: 04 May 03 - 09:31 PM

Boy, Giac great site. Thanks. I know Rev. Gary Davis in Hesitation Blues sings "Born in the country, raised in the town, I got Elgin movement from my hips on down." It's that "Break in on the dollar..." part I'm fuzzy on but your explanation sounds good, Tweed. I always figured it referred to some kind of compensation for sexual recreation. vl

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: Tweed
Date: 04 May 03 - 01:20 PM

Dang! I just checked the serial numbers on mine against the list at Elgin.org and found out it was made in 1876. I had no idea it was that old!! ....and she still got good movements;~)

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 04 May 03 - 01:10 PM

Ok, you got me, guys - Elgin made popular watches, lots of details here.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: Tweed
Date: 04 May 03 - 01:10 PM

Hey BanjoRay, Here's a page that shows what the Elgin Factory, in Elgin, Illinois, looked like back in Robert Johnson's time. They made a lotta mid priced watches back then and are collectable these days. I have one that my uncle left me in fact, and the thing still keeps good time when I remember to wind it;~)
Where R.J's Watch Came From

Yerz,
Tweed

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: Giac
Date: 04 May 03 - 01:03 PM

Check this out:

Blind Blake, Peg Leg and others

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: Tweed
Date: 04 May 03 - 01:00 PM

Elgin movement means she habv good movement like a Elgin brand watch that waz popular at the time.
I take "Break in on a Dollar" means if she sees you in the bar or somewhere wif money in your hand she's gonna get you to spend it on her and buy a drink or two wif it.....I may be wrong about the last, but the Elgin thing I'm pretty sure about.

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: Giac
Date: 04 May 03 - 12:59 PM

Elgin could be right. It was a make of clocks and watches.

"Elgin movement" makes sense in that context.

Subject: RE: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 04 May 03 - 12:51 PM

I'm sure Elgin is wrong - it must be elegant, with a mississippi accent. I don't suppose Robert Johnson ever heard of the Elgin marbles, or any other use of the name. Break in on a dollar just means she spends money everywhere she goes.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: Walking Blues Lyric?
From: van lingle
Date: 04 May 03 - 10:11 AM

The last verse of Robert Johnson's "Walking Blues" contains the lines:
"Well she got Elgin movement from her head down to her toes,
Break in on a dollar most everywhere she goes."
I get the meaning of the first line "...Elgin movement from..." but can anyone explain the meaning of the second line " Break in on a dollar..." Thanks, vl