[Intro – instrumental] [Verse 1] [Lead: intimate male bari-tenor, whispery blues tone, conversational phrasing; comfortable midrange.] I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate to see that evening sun go down It makes me wonder why my baby Would leave me standing here alone [Lead: slight ache in the voice; stretch “alone” with a gentle downward slide.] The daylight fades across the mountain And shadows settle on the road I hear that old creek talking Like it knows the weight I hold [Pre-Chorus] [Lead: gradually build intensity; soulful but controlled, no high push.] I’m goin’ back to St. Louis, baby Gonna see my baby tonight [Brief breath] I got these blues behind me And I got one road in sight [Chorus] [Lead: fuller chest voice, warm and bluesy; low harmony enters on final words.] St. Louis Blues, oh, they won’t let me be St. Louis Blues, they keep calling back to me [Low harmony: “calling back to me.”] There’s a rhythm in my heart And it won't set me free Till I find my way back home To where my baby ought to be [Rap 1] [Rap: laid-back rhythmic delivery, conversational Appalachian cadence; leave space between lines.] Evening sun sinking low, creek hums my song Dirt road echoes, baby, I been walking long Blues in my bones, fiddle sings my pain Mountain wind whispers like it's calling my name [Small pause] Got a little dust on my boots and a mile in my mind Looking for a love that I left behind Road keeps rolling, but I know one thing Sometimes you gotta move when the whole world swings [Verse 2] [Lead: return to melody; slightly rougher and more vulnerable.] I hate to see my baby walking out the door I hate to see my baby walking out the door It tears me up inside, Lord Like never before [Lead: soften, then gradually rebuild.] Her footsteps disappeared Before I could say goodbye Now every road I travel Feels like I'm chasing her goodbye [Rap 2] [Rap: relaxed, bluesy rhythmic flow; slightly more confident than Rap 1.] Back to St. Louis streets, rhythm in my stride Blues in the mountains, melody my guide Banjo rolls tight while the fiddle sings low Every step I take tells me where to go [Brief pause] I ain't running from the sorrow anymore I'm carrying it with me down that old road If the blues wanna follow, let 'em ride along Turn a little heartbreak into a walking song [Chorus] [Lead: strongest melodic performance; soulful chest voice, controlled intensity.] St. Louis Blues, they can’t hold me down St. Louis Blues, I’m leaving them on the ground [Low harmony: sustained underneath “hold me down.”] I’m riding through the hills With my feet on solid ground And wherever this road takes me I won't let it turn me around [Final Chorus] [Lead: emotionally resolved, warmer and more hopeful; subtle harmony throughout.] St. Louis Blues, you don't own me anymore St. Louis Blues, I'm walking through your door I carried you for miles But I don't need you anymore [Harmony: low response.] I'm headed back toward home Like I was walking there before [Outro] [Lead: intimate, almost whispered; free blues phrasing.] Evening sun is sinking... But I’m still moving on... [Soft harmony] Still moving on... [Lead: gentle final line.] St. Louis Blues... You can keep the road behind me... [Fade]
