Just for general interest (I hope) the debate about the "true meaning" of the "Dust my broom" lyric has raged forever.

Some suggest it was sexual as were so many blues lyrics. Personally, I belive that noted music producer/author Richard Havers has it right when he stated that the phrase was a "field holler code" where one slave alerted the others of his intention to attempt an escape.

That theory is at least partially confirmed by written accounts wherein Big Joe Williams who knew Robert Johnson* personally said the phrase was a "hoodoo magic" expression meaning...."I'm leaving for good" or "I won't be back no more." (Robert Johnson, Lost and Found. University of Illinois Press)

Blues fans like me will LOVE the documentary "Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey" co-produced and directed by Havers and Bill Wyman who, of course, was the bass player for the Rolling Stones for 30 years.

Google it.



(-:

Jim

*Johnson can only be said to be a "co-author" of the song since several very early blues writers/singers wrote nearly identical versions and they probably all stole from....ummm...I mean were "influenced" by each other! (-: