Well now candyman, I said been here and gone
Well candyman, I said been here and gone
Well, candyman I said been here and gone
Wish I was in New Orleans just sittin' on a candy stand
Well now candyman I said salty dog
Well candyman I cried salty dog
Well candyman I said salty dog
I can't be your salty dog and I won't be your candyman
Well now run to the corner get the baby some beer
I said run a to the corner get the baby some beer
Well run a to the corner get the baby some beer, said
Run to the corner get the baby some beer
Now run a to the corner get the baby some beer
Said wish I was in New Orleans I was sittin' on a candy stand
Well now candyman I said been here and gone
Candyman I said been here and gone
Well candyman he been here and gone
Wish I was in New Orleans yeah sittin' on a candy stand
Well candyman, I said been here and gone
Well, candyman I said been here and gone
Wish I was in New Orleans just sittin' on a candy stand
Well candyman I cried salty dog
Well candyman I said salty dog
I can't be your salty dog and I won't be your candyman
I said run a to the corner get the baby some beer
Well run a to the corner get the baby some beer, said
Run to the corner get the baby some beer
Now run a to the corner get the baby some beer
Said wish I was in New Orleans I was sittin' on a candy stand
Candyman I said been here and gone
Well candyman he been here and gone
Wish I was in New Orleans yeah sittin' on a candy stand
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
This is from the Hot Tuna: Live at the New Orleans House album.
From what I've heard about blues lingo, salty dog means horny man. Candyman is of course someone who treats his girl with the bread he brings home, and it takes a lot of guts to admit you are a candyman and then nonetheless break up a relationship over it, but it couldnt have been put more beautifully than this song.
"Candyman, been here and gone" reads like the markings on the tombstone of this relationship, which has him whipped running to the corner to "get the baby some beer". I think the repetition of "running" is on par with how we wishes he was just "sitting" on his candy stand, which may mean the wallet in his back pocket.
It's usually sung "Run & get the bucket, get the baby some beer"
I meant ORIGINALLY sung as ^^^^
Same reference as Hank Williams' 'My Buckets's Got A Hole In it (I Can't Buy No Beer).' One used to have to bring your bucket to the tavern to have thm fill it with your beer for the evening. You din't go out and get a case.