Page 50 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2019

What’s

the Word?

By Reverend Billy C. Wirtz
“The Crossroads” by Matt O’Brien
Along with the melodies, cool nicknames and irresistible beat, House of the Rising Sun: The version that we know refers to
blues music features an alternate universe of sayings, characters an actual New Orleans brothel owned by Madame Marianne
and obscure references. Many have origins in African Voodoo, LeSoleil Levant (French for “the rising sun”). It opened in 1862,
some from jazz-hipster speak and a few refer to historical events. catering to the Union soldiers, and closed in 1874 due to
You’ve probably wondered about some of these, but were afraid neighbors’ complaints. The song itself was first recorded in 1928,
of being B.S.’d (Blues Shamed). No worries; I’ve divided them and the famous version by The Animals came along in 1964.
by terms, characters and expressions for your blues linguistic John the Conqueror Root:
education.
One of the most misunderstood
PART ONE: Reoccurring Terms lines in blues comes from
“Mannish Boy” by Muddy
Black Cat Bone: The bone from a deceased Waters. It sounds like he’s
black cat – boiled, cleaned and then ground singing “gonna bring back my
for use in mojos and mojo bags. Reputed to second cousin, that little Johnny
bring good luck and ward off bad in the user. Conqueroo.” He’s actually
Fortunately, not popular these days. Usually sold bragging about bringing back
in “alleged” form. “Little John the Conqueror
Crawling Kingsnake: The male anatomy. Root.” John the Conqueror is
Get Your Ashes Hauled: Engaging in the act the trickster and healer in West
African folklore, whereas John the Conqueror Root is the woody
of procreation. tuber of the Ipomoea jalapa plant. It is carried whole, or ground
Goofer Dust: Often referred to by Champion Jack Dupree
and in “I Don’t Know” by Willie Mabon. Can be any mixture
of graveyard dirt, herbs, dried cat poop, salt, sulphur and other
powdered substances combined to cause harm and misfortune to
the intended victim. Often sprinkled around a bed or put in drinks.
Hadacol: A patent medicine popular in the 1930s and
1940s, containing Vitamin B and 12% alcohol. Advertised as
great for battling the pains of “rheumatism, heart problems,
ulcers, nervousness and gas.” Dudley LeBlanc, a senator from
Louisiana, marketed his product via the “Hadacol Caravan”
touring show, which featured country singers, blues singers and
movie stars. It took the country by storm between 1948 and
1951. Wynonie Harris sang about it, Professor Longhair did
“The Hadacol Bounce” and even Buddy Guy has done a version
of the “Hadacol Boogie.” Hadacol and its 24-proof solution was
especially popular in the “dry” counties of the South.

48 Blues Festival Guide 2019