"Hesitation Blues" is a traditional blues song that has been performed by various artists throughout history, including Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. The song explores the narrator's frustration and longing for a woman who is involved with another man. The lyrics suggest that the narrator is desperate to be with the woman but feels hesitant to make a move, possibly due to fear of rejection or uncertainty about the situation. The repetition of the phrase "Tell me how long, do I have to wait?" emphasizes the narrator's impatience and desire for resolution. The reference to being "no doctor but the doctor's son" is a metaphor suggesting that the narrator is skilled or knowledgeable in matters of love, but is unable to act until the circumstances are favorable. The hesitation stockings and shoes mentioned in the lyrics are also metaphorical, representing the narrator's indecisiveness or reluctance to take action. Overall, "Hesitation Blues" conveys the universal sentiment of longing and the struggle to overcome personal obstacles in pursuit of love. The lyrics capture the narrator's inner conflict and the tension between desire and hesitation.
