to play a major role in the blues revival that was currently going on there, alongside other famous blues artists. To his surprise, the group had paid for his hospital bills and caught him up on his rent so that he would be able to travel with them to Washington D.C. Shortly after their visit, the hospital discharged James. The group found James in a hospital bed in Mississippi, annoyed with the fact that nobody, fans, in particular, had come to see him sooner. However, later in the 1960s, Skip James resurfaced to the blues crowd thanks to a group of blues enthusiasts, led by John Fahey, who was determined to meet their idol. He was forced to go back home to Mississippi, where he became a choir teacher, local preacher, and forgotten by his peers. Sadly, because of this, James had to step away from making music. Hard Time Killing Floor Blues was James most popular record, but he only sold around 650 copies at the time and made little to no money from it. His music was phenomenal and impressive to anyone who heard it, but because the records were produced during The Great Depression, record sales were virtually nonexistent.

James sound was entirely different from any of the other popular blues artists during this time. The lyrics convey an overall sense of desperation to get out of an awful situation and better oneself, with a borderline begging and pleading connotation, creating that much more of an emotional impact for the listener.Ĭlick HERE to Check Prices On The Complete O Brother Where Art Thou SoundtrackĮmbed from Getty Images What Happened to Skip James? James displays a sense of apathy toward others in his situation saying, I dont care where they go, primarily focusing on getting himself off the killin floor. 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.

Hard time killing floor blues lyrics