Editor’s note: In The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to ZuZu, author and rocker Debra Devi explores the meaning of a word or phrase from a blues song. The award-winning book includes a foreword by Dr. John and is blurbed by Bonnie Raitt and Joe Bonamassa. Order here!
A 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.
“What a great resource, as fascinating as it is informative. Debra’s passion for the blues shines through.” – Bonnie Raitt
“Debra’s book will teach you what you really need to know about blues history and where the blues are coming from.” – Joe Bonamassa
“Finally one can understand the mechanics behind the overwhelming viscera of the Blues. Debra Devi’s work is a true guide book to the soul.” – Al Jourgensen (Ministry)
“This book is fascinating! Take it to the bathroom and don’t come out until you’re done reading it.” – Jimmy Vivino
“This is a beautiful book. Upon receiving The Language of the Blues I discovered my knowledge only scratched the surface. Debra Devi has written an invaluable reference book. And it’s also great fun to read.” – Hal Willner
“Don’t think that The Language of the Blues might read like a dictionary or reference book. There’s no plot, but you can open it up at random and fall into the world of your favorite Blues songs, and find out more about the lyrics than you would be guessing from context. I learned a lot more about the Blues music I already loved.” – Bob Margolin
