Little Anna Mae

The speaker is focused on Anna Mae, who seems to be calling to him, but their relationship is troubled. He describes her with affection, calling her a “good little girl,” while also complaining that she goes out at night and does not treat him as he would like. By the end, he says goodbye and hopes they may meet again, mixing disappointment with a little hope.

The repeated call to “hush” creates the sense that the speaker is listening closely for Anna Mae’s voice. Her “lisp-tongued” speech means she has difficulty pronouncing words clearly; it may also make her seem especially memorable to him. “Get her mind on me” means win her attention or affection, not literally control her thoughts. “Low down ways” is a critical phrase for behavior the speaker considers dishonest or unkind.

The lyrics can be heard as a complaint about an unreliable partner, but they do not explain exactly what Anna Mae has done. The speaker’s judgments are his own, and his affection sits beside frustration and blame. His farewell might be a firm ending, or it could be a temporary separation: hoping to meet again leaves that possibility open.