The term "drylongso" is an African American idiom that refers to a sense of being that exemplifies the average African American way of being, doing, and thinking. It is often used to mean "ordinary," particularly in reference to social status. The term has been explored in various cultural contexts, including literature and oral histories, highlighting its significance in expressing identity and culture within the African American community. Wikipedia The Language of the Blues: DRY LONG SO Debra DeviBy Debra DeviMarch 6, 20141 Comment2 Mins Read SHARE This is the latest installment in our weekly series, The Language of the Blues, in which author and rocker Debra Devi explores the meaning of a word or phrase from a blues song. Come back every week for the latest! Devi’s award-winning book, The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to ZuZu, includes a foreword by Dr. John and is blurbed by Bonnie Raitt and Joe Bonamassa. Get your signed copy at Bluescentric.com! AmericanPoverty_DRY LONG SOThe word “dry” describes something plain and unappetizing, like toast without butter or food straight out of the can, uncooked and unseasoned. It also means to be without money, as in “I’m dry, man.” To be “dry long so” is to be worn out by poverty to the point where it feels like you’re not going to make it. Skip James told it like it is in his haunting song “Hard Time Killin’ Floor Blues”: Hear me tell you people, just before I go
These hard times will kill you just dry long so Robert Johnson also used it in “Come On In My Kitchen,” as he cajoled a woman to take shelter in his kitchen and let him provide for her over the winter. You better come on in my kitchen baby It’s going to be raining outdoors Winter time’s coming
It’s going to be slow
You can’t make the winter, babe
that’s dry long so