Walking Blues

Robert Johnson's 'Walking Blues' is a poignant exploration of heartache, loss, and the restless wandering that often follows emotional turmoil. The song opens with the singer waking up and feeling around for his shoes, a metaphor for preparing to leave or escape. This simple act signifies the beginning of his journey, both physically and emotionally, as he grapples with the 'old walkin' blues.' The repetition of waking up and feeling for his shoes underscores a sense of routine despair, suggesting that this feeling of loss is a recurring part of his life.

The lyrics delve deeper into the singer's sorrow with the mention of his 'little Bernice' being gone. This loss is not just physical but deeply emotional, leaving him feeling like blowing his 'lonesome home.' The imagery of blowing his home suggests a desire to obliterate the past and the pain associated with it. The singer's willingness to 'ride the blind,' a term referring to hopping on a freight train without paying, highlights his desperation and willingness to face danger to escape his current state. This act of riding the blind is a powerful symbol of the lengths to which he will go to leave his pain behind.

Johnson's lyrics also touch on the broader theme of mistreatment and the profound impact it has on one's psyche. The singer feels so mistreated that he doesn't mind dying, a stark expression of his deep despair. The mention of the 'worried blues' being the worst feeling he has ever had further emphasizes the depth of his emotional suffering. The reference to a woman with an 'Elgin movement from her head down to her toes' adds a layer of complexity, suggesting that despite her allure and ability to attract wealth, she is also a source of his pain. This juxtaposition of beauty and suffering encapsulates the dual nature of his blues, where love and loss are inextricably linked.