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Hot Tuna — Keep Your Lamps Trimmed And Burning
Album: First Pull Up, Then Pull Down
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 358









Released: 1971
Length: 8:10
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Well, mother don't you stop prayin'
Father keep right on prayin'
Don't you stop prayin'
For this old world is almost done

I got to keep your lamps trimmed and burning
Keep your lamps
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning
For this old world is almost done

Sister don't you stop prayin'
Brother keep right on prayin'
Don't you stop prayin'
For this old world is almost done

Keep your lamps trimmed and burning
Keep your lamps
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning
For this old world is almost done

Keep our lamps trimmed and burning
Keep our lamps
Keep our lamps trimmed and burning
For this old world is almost done

We'll keep our lamps trimmed and burning
Keep our lamps
I say, "Keep our lamps trimmed and burning
For our race is almost run"
Comments (71)add comment
Is it just me, or does it sound like Jerry Garcia singing?
Posted 3 years ago by bpemby    [ Reply ]
I seem to be in the minority - but I find Hot Tuna endearing, in a sleepy way. Something about Jack and Jorma emerging from Jefferson Airplane and doing something totally unexpected with the blues. When I was young, we unwound after a night of raving with a pot of peppermint tea and Hot Tuna on the turntable.
Posted 3 years ago by RatSurf    [ Reply ]
Really?
Posted 14 years ago by papaman    [ Reply ]
 NickDanger wrote:
Magic Slim & James Cotton
Mississippi John Hurt
Hot Tuna

Great set Bill!  Thanks!

This is an example why I tell everyone about RP...
 
this is why I've had mute on for 20 minutes
Posted 14 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
It hurtses!  It hurtses!
Posted 14 years ago by BalesBub    [ Reply ]
Oh dear. . . 

Lots of notes. . . but not all being played in the right order. 

Next! 
Posted 14 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 miahfost wrote:
More self-indulgent schlock would be hard to find.
 
Agreed. Pure crap.

Posted 14 years ago by sharkey    [ Reply ]
Like fingers on chalkboard. Time for the iPod.
Posted 14 years ago by mystercy    [ Reply ]
More self-indulgent schlock would be hard to find.
Posted 14 years ago by miahfost    [ Reply ]
 NickDanger wrote:
Magic Slim & James Cotton
Mississippi John Hurt
Hot Tuna

Great set Bill!  Thanks!

This is an example why I tell everyone about RP...
 

Ditto ditto ditto ditto.....
Posted 14 years ago by Tagish_girl    [ Reply ]
Magic Slim & James Cotton
Mississippi John Hurt
Hot Tuna

Great set Bill!  Thanks!

This is an example why I tell everyone about RP...
Posted 14 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
Tasty but probably shouldn't be served too often.
Posted 15 years ago by coffee-eyes    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
Hot FREAKIN' Tuna!!!!!!!!!!!
 
As heard in Truckee, CA.

Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
 Kaisersosay wrote:
anyone got any motrin
 
9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil Motrin and buy some for yourselves.'

Posted 15 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
And what about ''Keep your lamps trimmed and burning''? An obvious reference advocating circumcision and staying horny. You know the old saw about ''Dipping your wick''?
  Clearly a reference to staying horny.  I never thought of obscure lyrics as a Rorschach test.

Matthew 25:1-13 (New International Version)

 

Matthew 25

The Parable of the Ten Virgins
 1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

 6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

 7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

 9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

 10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

 11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

 12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

 13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.


Posted 15 years ago by Nala    [ Reply ]
anyone got any motrin
Posted 15 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
One cannot know pleasure without experiencing pain . . . Ouch!
Posted 15 years ago by DeeCee1109    [ Reply ]
Hot FREAKIN' Tuna!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
I'd like to be able to say "I dig it man,... oh yeah... pass me that spliff"... but I can't. It's pants!

Posted 15 years ago by Montyontherun    [ Reply ]
Endless pain,,kinda like that screaming song a few songs ago
Posted 15 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
The only concert I ever walked out of. Bob Wier and the midnights opened and despite Bob were great-Billy Cobham on Drums. Then Tuna came on -God they were awful, like garage band awful, and not in a good way. 2nd rows seats and we walked.
Posted 15 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
Good lord, does this song ever end?
Posted 15 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Not this again, why does it have to be so tediously long as well as so utterly dreadful?
Posted 15 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
G digs it. Me? Not so much...
Posted 15 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
eastcoast wrote:
Hmmm.... you rated Pink Floyd a 9 from the Mothers album...seems like you must have been pretty stoned to do that coming from way back in history.
Pink Floyd are musicians, that is the difference.
Posted 15 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
Hmmm.... you rated Pink Floyd a 9 from the Mothers album...seems like you must have been pretty stoned to do that coming from way back in history. tiggers wrote:
You mean music back from when you had to be stoned to appreciate it. In the cold light of day it's utterly lame. Consign it to history please. It's where it belongs.
Posted 15 years ago by eastcoast    [ Reply ]
RadioDoc wrote:
Music from back when the music was important and not the production. Great stuff.
You mean music back from when you had to be stoned to appreciate it. In the cold light of day it's utterly lame. Consign it to history please. It's where it belongs.
Posted 15 years ago by tiggers    [ Reply ]
slartibart_O wrote:
uh ...yea. I meant does anyone besides me know what that even means anymore. Also probably an old blues sexual reference along with fishing in my pond, mule kicking in my stall, etc., etc. Do you know what a Shivaree is too? (next song)
And what about ''Keep your lamps trimmed and burning''? An obvious reference advocating circumcision and staying horny. You know the old saw about ''Dipping your wick''?
Posted 15 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Hannio wrote:
While beeves may be phlegmatic, the word phlegmatic does not really imply anything bovine.
Use your dictionary before casting stones--rolling or otherwise.
Posted 15 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
spelunker's blues?
Posted 15 years ago by davie70    [ Reply ]
slartibart_O wrote:
probably an old blues sexual reference along with fishing in my pond, mule kicking in my stall, etc., etc.
Wife likes a bit of the hot tuna then does she? Wink wink nudge nudge - say no more!
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
While I like this, the genre always seems a bit male-oriented to me. Why is that?
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
I've seen one regurgitate and chew cud..... very memorable. UltraNurd wrote:
I've never seen a cow hock a loogie, have you?
Posted 16 years ago by driver8    [ Reply ]
Hannio wrote:
While beeves may be phlegmatic, the word phlegmatic does not really imply anything bovine.
UltraNurd wrote:
I've never seen a cow hock a loogie, have you?
I love these discussions so much. Thank you for making my day. I am going to giggle several times today thinking about a cow attempting to hock a loogie.
Posted 16 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
Cool segue, Bill...Like how the last tune made me think of Jorma, and how here he is, with Casady & Co.! Go RP, you're on a heckofa run today!
Posted 16 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
drealester wrote:
Great in the beginning, ok in the second 10 min, happy when it ended at 15.
You must have really hated the late 60's then. Music from back when the music was important and not the production. Great stuff.
Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Great in the beginning, ok in the second 10 min, happy when it ended at 15.
Posted 16 years ago by felam    [ Reply ]
Hannio wrote:
While beeves may be phlegmatic, the word phlegmatic does not really imply anything bovine.
I've never seen a cow hock a loogie, have you?
Posted 16 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
It would be nice to hear a version by Fred McDowell too.
Posted 16 years ago by crinky    [ Reply ]
ThePoose wrote:
Phlegmatic is an adjective meaning stolid, bovine and taciturn.
While beeves may be phlegmatic, the word phlegmatic does not really imply anything bovine.
Posted 16 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Hide it under a bushel? NO!
Posted 16 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
Oh Yeah! Papa John Creech you are serenading the Heavenly Choir now. RIP Old Man and Bless Your Heart.
Posted 16 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
ThePoose wrote:
Phlegmatic is an adjective meaning stolid, bovine and taciturn.
Bovine!? That's it, I'm changing my name to fordprefect4739.
Posted 16 years ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
healyf52 wrote:
Love the sound of the hollowbody electric just blazing away!
Jorma uses a Fender Stratocaster which is a solid body guitar if I am not mistaken on this album. Jack on the other hand does use a hollow body Guild Starfire Bass heavily modified with low impedance pick ups and active electronics. Of course, it is all in the hands.
Posted 16 years ago by capandjudy    [ Reply ]
Jorma rules..
Posted 16 years ago by Wimpy    [ Reply ]
Love the sound of the hollowbody electric just blazing away!
Posted 16 years ago by healyf52    [ Reply ]
bluuuuuuucck
Posted 16 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Pantagruel wrote:
Terrible
Huh? You have better live music stashed away somewhere?
Posted 16 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
Terrible
Posted 16 years ago by Pantagruel    [ Reply ]
slartibart_O wrote:
Touche'. Does anyone even know what a Phlegmaticman is?
Phlegmatic is an adjective meaning stolid, bovine and taciturn.
Posted 16 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Phlegmaticman wrote:
The answer to that question would apparently be "yes."
Touche'. Does anyone even know what a Phlegmaticman is?
Posted 16 years ago by slartibart_O    [ Reply ]
slartibart_O wrote:
uh ...yea. I meant does anyone besides me know what that even means anymore.
The answer to that question would apparently be "yes."
Posted 16 years ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
Phlegmaticman wrote:
If the wick on a lamp (or a candle) is too long, the flame will flicker and smoke. If the wick is properly trimmed, you're mostly just burning kerosene fumes (or whatever kind of fuel you're using) instead of the actual wick. Great tune!
uh ...yea. I meant does anyone besides me know what that even means anymore. Also probably an old blues sexual reference along with fishing in my pond, mule kicking in my stall, etc., etc. Do you know what a Shivaree is too? (next song)
Posted 16 years ago by slartibart_O    [ Reply ]
Space Jam!!!
Posted 16 years ago by sonofpick    [ Reply ]
slartibart_O wrote:
Does anyone even know what trimming a lamp means anymore? Good stuff.
If the wick on a lamp (or a candle) is too long, the flame will flicker and smoke. If the wick is properly trimmed, you're mostly just burning kerosene fumes (or whatever kind of fuel you're using) instead of the actual wick. Great tune!
Posted 16 years ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
Love Papa John's fiddle playing on this tune.
Posted 16 years ago by Al_Koholic    [ Reply ]
Does anyone even know what trimming a lamp means anymore? Good stuff.
Posted 16 years ago by slartibart_O    [ Reply ]
Al_Koholic wrote:
Great song! They were in NY talking about a street walker-What's that smell? Hot Tuna Baby! LOL
They wanted to call themsleves Hot Shit, but the record company (RCA) er, kinda balked at that. I believe it was Jorma who then suggested Hot Tuna. Great tune, BTW.
Posted 16 years ago by mnuisance    [ Reply ]
Jorma at his best.
Posted 18 years ago by Fenderbelly_Bodine    [ Reply ]
Wow, what a great great tune...No more comments required...True music...
Posted 19 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
Great intro! Thanks for the flashback! :D
Posted 19 years ago by jblue    [ Reply ]
N8409Y wrote:
holy smokes - i was gonna comment on this song, saw i had done so in 2001!!! is it really true i've been listening t r.p. for that long? then how come i'm not any older??
I have long suspected we lost a ton of song comments since the 2 rebirths of the RP site. I hope one day BIll can bring back all our comments.
Posted 19 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
GaryW wrote:
Make no mistake - THE balls behind the Jefferson Airplane. Never sold themselves out and stayed true to the music. P.S. Let's see who the true fans are - how did Hot Tuna get it's name??
Great song! They were in NY talking about a street walker-What's that smell? Hot Tuna Baby! LOL
Posted 19 years ago by Al_Koholic    [ Reply ]
Make no mistake - THE balls behind the Jefferson Airplane. Never sold themselves out and stayed true to the music. P.S. Let's see who the true fans are - how did Hot Tuna get it's name??
Posted 19 years ago by GaryW    [ Reply ]
Nice set up for this song, Bill. I can almost smell the breath of the Hell's Angel sitting next to me.
Posted 19 years ago by gaucha    [ Reply ]
Duane Allman ever jam with these guys?
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
MoxyP wrote:
Normally I find freeform jams annoying, but for some reason I don't mind this one. But it was still a little long and format-anomalous...
How can any form of freedom can be annoying? what does it means? Is jazz annoying to you too?
Posted 19 years ago by masterhead    [ Reply ]
I like it.
Posted 20 years ago by traveyes    [ Reply ]
Normally I find freeform jams annoying, but for some reason I don't mind this one. But it was still a little long and format-anomalous...
Posted 20 years ago by MoxyP    [ Reply ]