Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful
blues songs ever written, "Love in Vain" was first recorded by
Robert Johnson in
1937, and he is credited as the composer.
Many people know the song best from the well known cover The Rolling Stones did of it on their album "Let it Bleed," and Keb' Mo' recently released a very faithful-to-the-original version on his album "Slow Down," but you really don't know just how sad the blues can get until you've heard Robert Johnson's original.
Willie Mae was Johnson's girlfriend at the time, the cousin of Johnson's best friend Honeyboy Edwards.
The song is played soft and slow, in the key of G, letting the musician's voice do most of the talking.
And I followed her to the station, with her suitcase in my hand
And I followed her to the station, with her suitcase in my hand
Well it's hard to tell, it's hard to tell, when all your love's in vain;
All my love's in vain.
When the train rolled up to the station, I looked her in the eye
When the train rolled up to the station, and I looked her in the eye
Well I was lonesome, I felt so lonesome, and I could not help but cry;
All my love's in vain.
When the train, it left the station, there was two lights on behind,
When the train, it left the station, there was two lights on behind,
Well the blue light was my blues, and the red light was my mind;
All my love's in vain.
Ou hou ou ou ou, hoo, Willie Mae,
Oh oh oh oh oh hey, hoo, Willie Mae,
Ou ou ou ou ou ou hee vee oh woe;
All my love's in vain.