I'm a Hoodoo Man

I'm a Hoodoo Man is an original blues song that's haunted me. I've played the blues for many years, and this is a synthesis of some of what I've absorbed. I've always felt a strong connection to the spectacular landscapes around me, and so this seemed like a natural progression of that connection.

Original lyrics and music copyright © 2024 by Geoffrey Clarfield.

I'm a Hoodoo Man

I was born to the right folk

On the wrong side of town

Stepped out on my right

When I soon left

I searched the mountains

Cause I’m a Hoodoo man

I found medicine

Where nobody can

I have climbed those snakes and ladders

I was scorched out in the sun

I’m a Hoodoo man

No longer on the run

Oh yes I am

Take out a snake skin

Dry it out long

Add a lizard’s tail

So you don’t go wrong

Travel to the prairie

Bury it six feet deep

Water by day

Doncha ever fall asleep

Fire on the mountain

Storm at night

This here Hoodoo man

Gonna make you feel right

I divine water

I divine gold

I do what the spirits

Have done me told

I have rode on those wild horses

And the horses sprouted wings

I do simple simple simple

And complex things

Oh yes, I am

Oh yes, I am

Yes, I am

Oh yes, I am

Healin' in the valley

Healin' with the light

I send the night away

Till the morning goes bright

I sit with Indians

And I sweat all night

I wear a necktie

That’s blue and white

Oh, yes I am

Oh, yes I am

Yes I am

Oh, yes I am

Fire in the night

Cloud all day

Pharoah’s children

Have all run away

They’re finding medicine

In that promised land

They've given up kneelin'

They’re learnin' how to stand

They’re learnin' how to stand

They’re learnin' how to stand

So, goodbye priests

And false prophets too

Goodbye ease

For a life that’s true

Cause I’ve got cures

For every woman and man

I got power

That I understand

So it's goodbye bondage

Goodbye strife

Goodbye death

Hello life

I got wisdom

Woncha lend a hand

I got freedom

I’m a Hoodoo man

Bring on justice

From a walkin' stick

Bring on healin'

From a lit lamp’s wick

Mix all those powders

You’ll have something to drink

And when your dream comes

You’ll have something to think

You’ll have something to think

Go down Moses

Caleb too

Wait for Nathan

All Israelites true

Take all that magic

From Pharoah’s land

Make it all medicine

We can understand

(Fade out)

Make it all medicine

We can all understand

We can all understand

We can all understand