Robert Johnson lyric question!

wolfsblood

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In Robert Johnson's classic song Sweet Home Chicago why does he say "Back to the land of California to my sweet home Chicago"? Last time I checked Chicago was in Illinois! I noticed subsequent versions of this song, such as the Blues Brothers' version, omit the reference to California. Any thoughts?
 

Flower

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I copied the lyrics .. I'm confused too ...

Song Lyrics: Sweet Home Chicago
Written and recorded by: Robert Johnson (1936)

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Oh baby don't you want to go
Oh baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago

Oh baby don't you want to go
Oh baby don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago

Now one and one is two
two and two is four
I'm heavy loaded baby
I'm booked I gotta go

Cryin baby
honey don't you want to go
back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago

Now two and two is four
four and two is six
You gonna keep monkeyin round here friend-boy
you gonna get your business all in a trick

But I'm cryin baby
honey don't you wanna go
Back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago

Now six and two is eight
eight and two is ten
Friend-boy she trick you one time
she sure gonna do it again

But I'm cryin hey hey
baby don't you want to go
back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago

I'm goin to california
from there to Des Moines Iowa
Somebody will tell me that you
need my help someday

cryin hey hey
baby don't you want to go
back to the land of California
to my sweet home Chicago

© (1978) 1990, 1991 Lehsem II, LLC/Claud L. Johnson
Administered by Music & Media International, Inc.
 

Magic

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Johnson had a beloved aunt who lived in Port Chicago, California and he would visit her often. Maybe this is a reference to fond memories of Port Chicago instead of Chicago, Illinois.

 

FretBuzz

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The way I interpret it is that he was trying to talk his lady into going on the road with him.
In one verse he says he's booked, which means he's got some gigs lined up. In a later verse, he says "I'm goin to California, from there to Des Moines Iowa"...so he's headed back to Chicago after going out to California.
 

Flower

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The way I interpret it is that he was trying to talk his lady into going on the road with him.
In one verse he says he's booked, which means he's got some gigs lined up. In a later verse, he says "I'm goin to California, from there to Des Moines Iowa"...so he's headed back to Chicago after going out to California.

I agree ... :grinthumb
 

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