Meaning of "Walkin' Blues" by Robert Johnson

The lyrics of "Walkin' Blues" reflect the common theme of blues music - a sense of sadness and struggle. The narrator wakes up feeling down, reflecting the feeling of despair that often accompanies the blues. The repetition of the line "Feelin' round for my shoes" suggests a sense of disorientation, as if the narrator is lost or searching for something. This could metaphorically represent a search for purpose or direction in life.

The mention of the "old walkin' blues" indicates a feeling of weariness and fatigue, both physically and emotionally. It's a feeling that the narrator has experienced before and knows all too well. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for the cycles of suffering and hardship that one may go through in life.

The narrator's longing to go back home reflects a desire for comfort and familiarity. Home represents a place of safety and belonging, a refuge from the challenges of the outside world. By feeling like blowing their lonesome home, the narrator expresses a longing for solace and escape from their current troubles.

The mention of Bernice leaving adds another layer of emotional pain to the lyrics. It suggests a feeling of abandonment and heartbreak. This could also symbolize a loss of stability and support, further adding to the narrator's sense of desolation.

Despite feeling mistreated and lonely, the narrator considers leaving and starting fresh, even if it means riding the blind (referring to hopping on a train without a ticket). This demonstrates a resilience and determination to overcome adversity. The willingness to leave behind everything and risk it all suggests that the narrator has reached a breaking point and is ready for a change.

The line "the worried blues ain't bad, it's the worst old feelin', I most ever had" captures the essence of the blues genre. The blues are often associated with a feeling of sadness, but in this line, the narrator emphasizes just how deeply this feeling affects them. It suggests that the blues can be more than just a passing emotion, but a profound and all-encompassing state of being.

The final lines about a person with an "Elgin movement" who can easily make money wherever they go highlights the contrast between the narrator's struggles and the success that others seem to effortlessly achieve. This further emphasizes the narrator's sense of hardship and the exasperation they feel when comparing their own circumstances to those who seem to have it easy.

Overall, the lyrics of "Walkin' Blues" convey a sense of weariness, heartbreak, and longing for a better life. It reflects the universal themes of struggle, loss, and the desire for change that resonate throughout the blues genre.