The song is both a tribute to contemporary folk singer Roy Harper and the influential American blues singer who recorded from the 1930s to the 1970s.
According to Page, during recording sessions for Led Zeppelin III, the band “did a whole set of country blues and traditional blues numbers that Robe...
[Intro]
Mmm, a, mmm, a, mmm, a mmm, a mmm, a come on down
[Verse 1]
When I done quit hollering, baby
I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Get my babe, won't be late
You know by that I mean ah, seconds late
Ah, must I holler?
Must I shake 'em on down?
[Chorus]
Well, I've done quit hollerin', baby
I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Shake 'em
Aaahhh
[Verse 2]
Well, I ain't no monkey
I can't climb no tree
No brown-skin woman gonna make no monkey out of me
Yeah, I ain't no monkey
Sure can't climb no tree
[Chorus]
I been mistreated, babe, I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Well, I've been mistreated, babe, I believe I'll shake 'em on down
Mmm, ha ha
Ha ha haha, ha ha haha, ha ha haha, ha ha hahaaaaaaa.....
[Verse 3]
Listen, mama, put on your mornin' gown
Put on your nightshirt, mama
We going to shake them down, yeah
Must I holler?
Must I, must I, must I shake them on down?
[Chorus]
Ooh, I've done been mistreated, babe, I believe I'll shake 'em on down
[Outro]
Gave my baby a twenty-dollar bill
If that don't get her, I'm sure my shot, shot, shot-gun will
Yeah, I gave my baby a twenty-dollar bill
Well, if that don't get that woman, I'm sure my shot-gun will
I'm gonna go shoot her now
Hats Off to (Roy) Harper was written by Jimmy Page.
Hats Off to (Roy) Harper was produced by Jimmy Page.
Led Zeppelin released Hats Off to (Roy) Harper on Mon Oct 05 1970.