• NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from Blues Scene about music & art.

Gov’t Mule Shares Single ‘Made My Peace’ From Upcoming Album

June 6, 2023

Grainne Duffy’s Inspirational New Album ‘Dirt Woman Blues’ Achieves Chart Success In Record Time

June 6, 2023

Where’s Chicago’s Blues Museum?

June 5, 2023

Keb’ Mo’: Back Fence Rambles with a Blues Sage

June 5, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Vimeo
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
  • NEWS
  • REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEOS
Advertise
American Blues SceneAmerican Blues Scene
Home»News»The Language of the Blues: BLACK DOG
News

The Language of the Blues: BLACK DOG

Debra DeviBy Debra DeviNovember 21, 2012Updated:April 10, 20201 Comment2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email VKontakte WhatsApp
Black Dog Hellhound
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

This is the latest installment in our weekly series entitled, The Language of the Blues, where author and rocker Debra Devi focuses on the meaning and significance of a unique word used in blues song. Come back every week for the latest! Devi’s The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to ZuZu is now available at Bluescentric.com!

Black Dog HellhoundA black dog is a giant, hairy ghosthound that haunts a specific spot on a road, usually a crossroads. It is sometimes associated with a person or a family. In the Sherlock Holmes tale, “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” as in many English legends, the sighting of a black dog indicates that someone will die soon.

Other stories describe the black dog as a protector of lost travelers. In England, black dogs are also called shucks, padfoots, shrikers or mauthe dogs.

Black dogs are usually silent; they don’t growl or bark. They just show up and quietly scare the bejeesus out of a lone traveler. Black dogs haunt roads, or areas near water. Sometimes the dog protects the traveler from harm, other times it offers silent
companionship by trotting alongside for a while and then abruptly disappearing.

A black dog may also appear to foretell the death of the traveler or one of the traveler’s loved ones. Or, it may be the messenger, as well as the symbol, of a partner’s infidelity, as in the Lightnin’ Hopkins tune “Hear My Black Dog Bark.”

If you want to encounter a black dog, try walking alone on a dark country road in the middle of the night.

Songs:
“Black Dog Blues”- Blind Blake (Arthur Blake)
“Hear My Black Dog Bark”- Lightnin’ Hopkins (Sam Hopkins)

Pick up a copy of The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu at Bluescentric

 

“Black Dog Blues” – Arthur “Blind” Blake – March 1927

“Black Dog” – Led Zeppelin Live

Black Dog Blind Blake Lightnin' Hopkins The Language of the Blues
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp
Previous ArticleInterview with Slide Bluesman Tas Cru
Next Article Blues Law: John Lee Hooker v. ZZ Top
Debra Devi
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Debra Devi is a rock musician and the author of the award-winning blues glossary The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu (foreword by Dr. John). www.debradevi.com

Related Posts

Gov’t Mule Shares Single ‘Made My Peace’ From Upcoming Album

June 6, 2023

Gaye Adegbalola Releases ‘Satisfied’ Anthology, Out Today Via VizzTone

June 2, 2023

Blues Guitarist Laurie Morvan Announces Tour, Shares Accompanying Live Video

June 1, 2023

Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos Share Title Track From New Album ‘Cheat the Devil’

May 31, 2023

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Advertisment
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • Videos
  • About

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.