Mr. Charlie

Story Time: with Linghtnin’ Hopkins

Lightnin’ Hopkins is captured on film performing his song “Mr. Charlie” for children in an excerpt from the 1968 Les Blank documentary “The Blues According to Lightnin’ Hopkins.” Before singing this, he tells the story of a boy who stutters badly. When he tries telling his boss, Mister Charlie, his mill is burning down, Mister Charlie can’t understand him so he asks the boy to sing if he can’t speak. Story telling has always played an important part in the blues oral tradition.

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