I've been practicing the Boggs' version and realized I didn't quite get the meaning of "laid her in the shade." Seems like I've heard the expression used after using a blade on someone, but that really doesn't seem to fit the Sugar Baby story. In the context of "gave her every dime I made" and "what else could a poor boy do?" -- it seems more like "I put a roof over her head and gave her a bed to sleep on." Thoughts? Other references to use of this phrase?
Thanks.
As an internationally published lyricist, all I can say is that words are just marvelous toys, when the same word can have multiple meanings.
Best of luck in your search for useful information.
2 minutes later!
Looked up the lyrics.
First place I looked, claims the words are
"Later in the shade, give her every dime I've made
What more could a poor boy do?
What more could a poor boy do?"
That makes slightly LESS sense -to me- than "laid her"
So, again, best wishes.
Live long, and prosper
Disagree with "later" as it does not make sense. I think to "lay her in the shade" was to provide for her, in comfort.
I tend to agree with the "comfort" interp. (Seems like I have envisioned Boggs laying her out on a quilt under a shade tree).
I was wondering if this was perhaps a standard phrase with some known meaning back there/then.
I mentioned above the "blade" variation. It's from Graveyard Blues by John Jackson, where he sings (approx.): My razor's got a rusty blade, gonna lay that man down in the shade; I'm gonna start a graveyard of my own -- (gotta love that idea!).
folkways.si.edu/john-jackson/g...ithsonian
Edited by - hootharp on 12/08/2024 10:56:03
It’s likely the meaning is that he gave her comfort,,, but of course it might be one of those double-entendres.
