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This is a common refrain in blues music, mostly in stating the limits of what one might tollerate from a low-down woman. My best guess about its specific meaning is that it's a metaphor to a catfish; perhaps "catfish" was slang for cuckhold at some point. Beyond that, I have no clue. Any ideas?
Glenn said:
From what I can tell, it seems to refer more to either frontier, survivalist subsistence, or homelessness. I don't see any reference to or association with catfish, literal or metaphoric. It appears to be poetic, but quite literal, although perhaps an exaggeration.
Glenn,
I do not know if it is a reference to a catfish, but it is what catfish do. In fact, they spend so much time in hollow logs or holes in a muddy river bank, that is where noodlers (hand fishers) look for them.
Emmett
A lot of blues lyrics are metaphorical but from what I can find out, this is not. This line is used in several blues songs. The most well known is named "I'd rather Drink Muddy Water" The whole line goes like this:
I'd rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log,
Than to stay in this town, mistreated like a dirty dog.
Michigan water drinks like sherry wine
But this Nashville water drinks like turpentine.
The singer is unhappy being in Nashville and expresses in certain terms how much.
Y'all are just makin' me giggle like silly with this discussion ; - )
The lyrics "I'd rather drink muddy water, and sleep in a hollow log" were laid down on wax by Jimmie Rodgers, the Singing Brakeman, in his recording of "Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)" in November 1927. They are the last verse of his song.
That last verse goes like this:
"I'd rather drink muddy water, and sleep in a hollow log,
I'd rather drink muddy water, and sleep in a hollow log,
Than to be in Atlanta, treated like a dirty dog."
So, it has nothing to do with survival subsistence, catfish, or cuckolds.
Check out this youtube, or just search you tube for Jimmie Rodgers Blue Yodel No. 1
Cheers!
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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