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 Origin: Internet Audio Guide Михаила Гунина http://www.mv.ru/~gunin/
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            Роберт Джонсон - легендарный американский музыкант 30-х гг.

Тексты Robert Johnson

Kindhearted Woman Blues (take 1)
Kindhearted Woman Blues (take 2)
I Believe I'll Dust My Broom
Sweet Home Chicago
Rambling On My Mind (take 1)
Rambling On My Mind (take 2)
When You Got A Good Friend (take 1)
When You Got A Good Friend (take 2)
Come On In My Kitchen (take 1)
Come On In My Kitchen (take 2)
Terraplane Blues
Phonograph Blues (take 1)
Phonograph Blues (take 2)
32-20 Blues
They're Red Hot
Dead Shrimp Blues
Cross Road Blues (take 1)
Cross Road Blues (take 2)
Walking Blues
Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Preaching Blues (up Jumped The Devil)
If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day
Stones In My Passway
I'm A Steady Rollin' Man
From Four Till Late
Hellhound On My Trail
Little Queen Of Spades (take 1)
Little Queen Of Spades (take 2)
Malted Milk
Drunken Hearted Man (take 1)
Drunken Hearted Man (take 2)
Me And The Devil Blues (take 1)
Me And The Devil Blues (take 2)
Stop Breakin' Down Blues (take 1)
Stop Breakin' Down Blues (take 2)
Traveling Riverside Blues
Honeymoon Blues
Love In Vain (take 1)
Love In Vain (take 4)
Milkcow's Calf Blues (take 2)
Milkcow's Calf Blues (take 3)

KINDHEARTED WOMAN BLUES (take 1)

I got a kindhearted woman
    do anything in this world for me
I got a kindhearted woman
    do anything in this world for me
But these evil-hearted women
    man, they will not let me be
I love my baby
    my baby don't love me
I love my baby, oooh
    my baby don't love me
But I really love that woman
    can't stand to leave her be
A-ain't but the one thing
    makes Mister Johnson drink
I's worried 'bout how you treat me, baby
    I begin to think
Oh babe, my life don't feel the same
You breaks my heart
    when you call Mister So-and-So's name
(guitar solo)
She's a kindhearted woman
    she studies evil all the time
She's a kindhearted woman
    she studies evil all the time
You well's to kill me
    as to have it on your mind

Notes: 1. The guitar solo in this take is the only one Johnson ever recorded!
2. The "well's" in the last verse is a dialectic contraction of "had
just as well" and is still in common usage. It also appears in the
next take. See also "Come On In My Kitchen" (take 2).

KINDHEARTED WOMAN BLUES (take 2)

I got a kindhearted mama
    do anything in this world for me
I got a kindhearted mama
    do anything in this world for me
But these evil-hearted women
    man, they will not let me be
I love my baby
    my baby don't love me
I love my baby, oooh
    my baby don't love me
I really love that woman
    can't stand to leave her be
Now there ain't but the one thing
    Makes Mister Johnson drink
I gets worried 'bout how you treat me, baby
    I begin to think
Oh babe, my life don't feel the same
You breaks my heart
    when you call Mister So-and-So's name
She's a kindhearted mama
    she studies evil all the time
She's a kindhearted woman
    but she studies evil all the time
You well's to kill me, baby
    as to have it on your mind
Some day, some day
    I would shake your hand good-bye
Some day, some day, hee
    I would shake your hand good-bye
I can't give you anymore of my lovin'
    'cause I just ain't satisfied

Notes: 1. See notes to "Kindhearted Woman Blues" (take 1).

I BELIEVE I'LL DUST MY BROOM

I'm gon' get up in the mornin'
    I believe I'll dust my broom
I'm gon' get up in the mornin'
    I believe I'll dust my broom
Girl friend, the black man you been lovin'
    girlfriend, can get my room
I'm gon' write a letter
    telephone every town I know
I'm gon' write a letter
    telephone every town I know
If I can't find her in West Helena
    she must be in East Monroe, I know
I don't want no woman
    wants every downtown man she meet
I don't want no woman
    wants every downtown man she meet
She's a no good doney
    they shouldn't low her on the street
I believe
    I believe I'll go back home
I believe
    I believe I'll go back home
You can mistreat me here, babe
    but you can't when I go home
And I'm gettin' up in the mornin'
    I believe I'll dust my broom
I'm gettin' up in the momin'
    I believe I'll dust my broom
Girl friend, the black man you been lovin'
    girlfriend, can get my room
I'm 'on' call up Chiney
    see is my good girl over there
I'm gon' call up China
    see is my good girl over there
'f I can't find her on Phillipine's Island
    she must be in Ethiopia somewhere

Notes: 1."Chiney'' and ''Phillipine's Island'' are not typographical errors,
but simply approximations of how Johnson pronounced those
place names.
2. West Helena and East Monroe are separated by some 30 miles of
Arkansas Delta land and joined by U.S.Highways 49 and 79.
3. "Doney'' is a woman of low character. The word is a slang and is
not in general usage today.

SWEET HOME CHICAGO

Oh
    baby, don't you want to go
Oh
    baby, don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
    to my sweet home Chicago
Oh
    baby, don't you want to go
Oh
    baby, don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
    to my sweet home Chicago
Now one and one is two
    two and two is four
I'm heavy loaded baby
    I'm booked, I gotta go
Cryin', baby
    honey, don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
    to my sweet home Chicago
Now two and two is four
    four and two is six
You gon' keep on monkeyin' 'round here friend-boy,
    you gon' get your
    business all in a trick
But I'm cryin', baby
    honey, don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
    to my sweet home Chicago
Now fix and two is eight
    eight and two is ten
Friend-boy, she trick you one time
    she sure gon' do it again
But I'm cryin', hey, hey
    baby, don't you want to go
To the land of California
    to my sweet home Chicago
I'm goin' to California
    from there to Des Moines, Iowa
Somebody will tell me that you
    need my help someday, cryin'
Hey hey
    baby, don't you want to go
Back to the land of California
    to my sweet home Chicago

Notes: 1. "Friend-boy' 'is a dialectic substitute for "boyfriend" when used
between man. See also "Cross Road Blues " (take 2)

RAMBLING ON MY MIND (take 1)

I got ramblin'
    I got ramblin' on my mind
I got ramblin'
    I got ramblin' all on my mind
Hate to leave my baby
    but you treats me so unkind
I got mean things
    I got mean things all on my mind
Little girl, little girl
    I got mean things all on my mind
Hate to leave you here, babe
    but you treats me so unkind
Runnin' down to the station
    catch the first mail train I see
    spoken: I think I hear her comin' now
Runnin' down to the station
    catch that old first mail train I see
I got the blues 'bout Miss So-and-So
    and the child got the blues about me
And I'm leavin' this mornin'
    with my arm' fold' up and cryin'
And I'm leavin' this mornin'
    with my arm' fold' upped and cryin'
I hate to leave my baby
    but she treats me so unkind
I got mean things
    I've got mean things on my mind
I got mean things
    I got mean things all on my mind
I got to leave my baby
    well, she treats me so unkind

RAMBLING ON MY MIND (take 2)

I got ramblin'
    I got ramblin' on my mind
I've got ramblin'
    I got ramblin' all on my mind
Hate to leave my baby
    but you treats me so unkind
And now babe
    I will never forgive you anymore
Little girl, little girl
    I will never forgive you anymore
You know you did not want me
    baby, why did you tell me so?
And I'm runnin' down to the station
    catch that first mail train I see
    spoken: I hear her comin' now.
An' I'm runnin' down to the station
    catch that old first mail train I see
I've got the blues 'bout Miss So-and-So
    and the child got the blues about me
An' they's de'ilment
    she got devilment on her mind
She got devilment
    little girl, you got devilment all on your mind
Now I got to leave this mornin'
    with my arm' a-fold' up and cryin'
I believe
    I believe my time ain't long
I believe
    I believe that my time ain't long
But I'm leavin' this mornin'
    I believe I will go back home

WHEN YOU GOT A GOOD FRIEND (take 1)

When you got a good friend
    that will stay right by your side
When you got a good friend
    that will stay right by your side
Give her all of your spare time
    love and treat her right
I mistreated my baby
    and I can't see no reason why
I mistreated my baby
    but I can't see no reason why
Everytime I think about it
    I just wring my hands and cry
Wonder could I bear apologize
    or would she sympathize with me
Mmmmm mmm  mmm
    would she sympathize with me
She's a brownskin woman
    just as sweet as a girl friend can be
Mmm mmm
    babe, I may be right ay wrong
Baby, it's yo'y opinion
    oh, I may be right ay wrong
Watch your close friend, baby
    then your ene'ies can't do you no harm
When you got a good friend
    that will stay right by your side
When you got a good friend
    that will stay right by your side
Give her all of your spare time-aah
    love and treat her right

Notes: I. The underlined "ay" and "yo'y'' above are obviously Johnson's
own particular way of pronouncing "or" and "your",
respectively. The latter also appears once in (take 2), q.v. This
group of dialectic shadings in his speech probably accounts for
the take never seeing issuance on 78.

WHEN YOU GOT A GOOD FRIEND (take 2)

Mmm, when you got a good friend
    that will stay right by your side
When you got a good friend
    that will stay right by your side
Give her all of your spare time
    try to love and treat her right
I mistreated my baby
    I can't see no reason why
I mistreated my baby
    I can't see no reason why
Everytime I thinks about it
    I just wring my hands and cry
Wonder could I bear apologize
    or would she sympathize with me
Mmmmmmmmmm
    or would she sympathize with me
She's a brownskin woman
    just as sweet as a girl friend can be
I love my baby
    but I can't make that agee
I love that woman
    but what can we can't agree
I really love that woman
    nnn, wonder why we can't agree
It's your opinion
    friend-girl, I may be right or wrong
It's yo'y opinion
    friend-girl, I may be right or wrong
But when  you watch your close friend, baby
    then your enemies can't do you no harm
When  you got a good friend
    that will stay right by your side
When  you got a good friend
    that will stay right by your side
Give her all of your spare time
    try to love and treat her right

Notes: 1. The underlined passages above are clearly nonsensical as
performed and are probably the cause of the take not being
i
ssued originally.
2. "Friend-girl" is an alternate for "girlfriend" and is still in
frequent use today.
3. See notes to "When You Got A Good Friend" (take 1)

COME ON IN MY KITCHEN (take 1)

Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
    mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
    mmm mmm mmm mmm
You better come on
    in my kitchen
    babe, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors
Ah, the woman I love
    took from my best friend
Some joker got lucky
    stole her back again
You better come on
    in my kitchen
    baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors
Oh-ah, she's gone
    I know she won't come back
I've taken the last nickel
    out of her nation sack
You better come on
    in my kitchen
    babe, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors
spoken: Oh, can't you hear that wind howl?
    Oh-y', can't you hear that wind would howl?
You better come on
    in my kitchen
    baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors
When a woman gets in trouble
    everybody throws her down
Lookin' for her good friend
    none can be found
You better come on
    in my kitchen
    baby, it's gon' to be rainin' outdoors
Winter time's comin'
    hit's gon' be slow
You can't make the winter, babe
    that's dry long so
You better come on
    in my kitchen
    'cause it's gon' to be rainin' outdoors

Notes: 1. A "nation sack" is a small pouch worn around the neck in which
keepsakes and valuables are kept.
2. "Dry long so" is a dialectic description of an impoverished
condition. In this case, it relates specifically to not having enought
necessities to last through the winter.
3. The underlined "h" above is phonetically correct although
certainly meaningless.

COME ON IN MY KITCHEN (take 2)

Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
    mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
    mmm mmm mmm mmm
You better come on
    in my kitchen
    it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors
When a woman get in trouble
    everybody, throws her down
Lookin' for yo' good friend
    none can be found
You better come on
    in my kitchen
    it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors
Nnn, the woman I love
    took from my best friend
Some joker got lucky
    stole her back again
She better come on
    in my kitchen
    baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors spoken:
Mama, can't you hear that wind howl?
    Oh how the wind do howl!
You better come on
    in my kitchen
    mmm,  baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors
Nnn, the woman that I love
    I crave to see
She's up the country
    won't write to me
Then, you better come on
    in my kitchen
    goin' to be rainin' outdoors
I went to the mountain
    far as my eyes could see
Some other man got my woman
    lonesome blues got me
But she better come on
    in my kitchen
    cause it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors
My mama dead
    papa well's to be
Ain't got nobody
    to love and care for me
She better come on
    in this kitchen
    'cause it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

Notes: 1. See notes under "Kindhearted Woman Blues" (take 1)

TERRAPLANE BLUES

And I feel so lonesome
    you hear me when I moan
When I feel so lonesome
    you hear me when I moan
Who been drivin' my Terraplane
    for you since I been gone
I'd said I flash your lights, mama
    your horn won't even blow
    spoken: Somebody's been runnin' my batteries
    down on this machine
I even flash my lights, mama
    this horn won't even blow
Got a short in this connection
    hoo-well, babe, it's way down below
I'm 'on' h'ist your hood, mama
    I'm bound to check your oil
I'm gon' h'ist your hood, mama-mmm
    I'm bound to check your oil
I got a woman that I'm lovin'
    way down in Arkansas
Now, you know the coils ain't even buzzin'
    little generator won't get the spark
Motor's in a bad condition, you gotta have
    these batteries charged
But I'm cryin', please
    plea-hease don't do me wrong
Who been drivin' my Terraplane now for
    you-hoo since I been gone
Mr. Highwayman
    plea-hease don't block the road
Puh hee hee
    plea-hease don't block the road '
Cause she's re'ist'rin' a cold one hundred
    and I'm booked and I got to go
Mmm mmm
    mmm mmm mmm
You ooo ooo ooo
    you hear me weep and moan
Who been drivin' my Terraplane now for
    you-hoo since I been gone
I'm 'on' get deep down in this connection
    keep on tanglin' with your wires
I'm 'on' get deep down in this connection
    hoo-well, keep on tanglin' with these wires
And when I mash down on your little starter
     then your spark plug will give me fire

Notes: 1. The Terraplane was a low-priced, conservatively modern sedan
offered by the Hudson Motor Co. from 1933 to 1938 It was the
successor to their Essex and sported a remarkably efficient
6-cylinder, 70 horse-power engine. It was designed by Britisher
Reid Railton and had a top speed of 88 mites per hour!

PHONOGRAPH BLUES (take 1)

Beatrice, she got a phonograph
    and it won't say a lonesome word
Beatrice, she got a phonograph
    but it won't say a lonesome word
What evil have I done
    what evil has the poor girl heard
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
    but you have broke my windin' chain
Beatrice, I love my phonogra'-ooo
    honey, you have broke my windin' chain
And you've taken my lovin'
    and give it to your other man
Now, we played it on the sofa, now
    we played it 'side the wall
My needles have got rusty, baby
    they will not play at all
We played it on the sofa
    and we played it 'side the wall
But my needles have got rusty
    and it will not play at all
Beatrice, I go crazy
    baby, I will lose my mind
And I go cra'-eee
    honey, I will lose my mind
Why'n't you bring your clothes back home
    and try me one more time
She got a phonograph
    and it won't say a lonesome word
She got a phonograph
    ooo-won't say a lonesome word
What evil have I done
    or what evil have the poor girl heard

PHONOGRAPH BLUES (take 2)

Beatrice got a phonograph
    and it won't say a lonesome word
Beatrice got a phonograph
    and it won't say a lonesome word
What evil have I done
    what evil have the poor girl heard
Beatrice I love my phonograph
    but you broke my windin' chain
Beatrice I love my phonograph
    but you have broke my windin' chain
And you taken my lovin'
    and you give it to yo' other man
And we played it on the sofa
    and we played it 'side the wall
And we played it on the sofa
    and we played it 'side the wall
But boys, my needles have got rusty
    and it will not play a-t'all
Mmm, Beezatrice, I love my phonograph-mmm
    babe, and I'm bound to lose my mind
Beatrice, I love my phonograph
    and I'm 'bout to lose my mind
Why'n't you bring your clothes back home
    baby, and try me one more time
Now, my phonograph, mmm
    babe, it won't say a lonesome word
My little phonograph
    and it won't say a lonesome word
What evil have I done
    what evil have the poor girl heard
Now, Beatrice
    won't you bring your clothes back home
Now, Beatrice
    won't you bring your clothes back home
I wanna wind your little phonograph
    just to hear your little motor moan

Notes: 1. The underlined "ez" above is phonetically correct.

32-20 BLUES

'F I send for my baby
    and she don't come
'F I send for my baby
    man, and she don't come
All the doctors in Hot Springs
    sure can't help her none
And if she gets unruly
    thinks she don't wan' do
If she gets unruly and
    thinks she don't wan' do
Take my 32-20, now, and
    cut her half in two
She got a .38 special but I b'lieve it's most too light
She got a .38 special but I b'lieve it's most too light
I got a 32-20, got to make the camps alright
If I send for my baby, man, and she don't come
If I send for my baby
    man, and she don't come
All the doctors in Hot Springs
    sure can't help her none
I'm gonna shoot my pistol, gonna shoot my Gatling gun
I'm 'onna shoot my pistol, got-ta shoot my Gatling gun
You made me love you
    now your man have come
Ah-oh
    baby, where you stay last night
Ah-ah
    baby, where you stayed last night
You got your hair all tangled and
    you ain't talkin' right
Got a .38 special, boys, hit do very well

THEY'RE RED HOT

Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
I got a girl, say she long and tall
She sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in the hall
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
She got two for a nickel, got four for a dime
Would sell you more, but they ain't none of mine
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean
Yeas, she got 'em for sale, yes, yeah
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
I got a letter from a girl in the room
Now, she got somethin' good she got to bring home
    soon, now
It's hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sate
    spoken: They're too hot, boy!
The billy goat back' in a bumble bee nest
Ever since that he can't take his rest, yeah
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yeah, you got 'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
spoken: Man, don't mess around 'em hot tamales, now,
    'cause they too black bad, if you
    ...mess around 'em hot tamales.
I'm 'onna upset your backbone, put your kidneys to sleep
I'll due to break 'way your liver and dare your heart to
    beat 'bout my
Hot tamales 'cause they red hot
    yes, they got 'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
You know grandma laughs, and now grandpa, too
Well, I wonder what in the world we chillun gon' do, now
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
Me and my babe bought a V-8 Ford
Well, we wind that thing all on the runnin' board, yes
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
    spoken: They too hot, boy
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, now, she got 'em for sale
You know the monkey, now the baboon playin' in
    the grass
Well, the monkey stuck his finger in that old
    "Good Gulf Gas," now
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, she got 'em for sale
I got a girl, say she long and tall
Now, she sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in
    the hall, yes
Hot tamales and they red hot
    yes, now, she got 'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah...

DEAD SHRIMP BLUES

I woke up this mornin'-nnn
    and all my shrimps was dead and gone
I woke up this mornin', ooh
    all my shrimps was dead and gone
I was thinkin' about you, baby
    why you hear me weep and moan
I got dead shrimps here
    someone is fishin' in my pond
I got dead shrimps he'-ooh
    someone fishin' in my pond
I've served my best bait, baby
    and I can't do that no harm
Keverything I do, babe, you got your mouth stuck out
Hole where I used to fish, you got me posted out
Everything I do
    you got your mouth stuck out
At the hole where I used to fish, baby
    you've got me posted out
I got dead shrimps here, 'n'
    someone fishin' in my pond
I got dead shrimps here
    someone fishin' in my pond
Catchin' my goggle-eye perches
    and they barbecuin' the bone
Now you take my shrimp, baby
    you know you turned me down
I couldn't do nothin' until I got myself unwound
You taken my shrimp
    ohh, know you turned me down
Babe, I couldn't do nothin'
    until I got myself unwound

CROSS ROAD BLUES (take 1)

I went to the crossroad
    fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad
    fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy, now
    save poor Bob, if you please"
Yeeoo, standin' at the crossroad
    tried to flag a ride oooo ooee eeee
    I tried to flag a ride
Didn't nobody seem to know me, babe
    everybody pass me by
Standin' at the crossroad, baby
    risin' sun goin' down
Standin' at the crossroad, baby
    eee eee eee, risin' sun goin' down
I believe to my soul, now
    po' Bob is sinkin' down
You can run, you can run
    tell my friend Willie Brown
You can run, you can run
    tell my friend Willie Brown
'at I got the crossroad blues this mornin', Lord
    babe, I'm sinkin' down
And I went to the crossroad, mama
    I looked east and west
I went to the crossroad, baby
    I looked east and west
Lord, I didn't have no sweet woman
    ooh-well, babe, in my distress

Notes: 1. Webster's defines "at the crossroads" as "at the point where one
must choose between different courses of action" and the noun
"distress" as "the state of being distressed, anything that
distresses, a state, of danger or trouble".

CROSS ROAD BLUES (take 2)

I went to the crossroad
    fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad
    fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy
    save poor Bob, if you please"
Mmmmm, standin' at the crossroad
    I tried to flag a ride
Standin' at the crossroad
    I tried to flag a ride
Didn't nobody seem to know me
    everybody pass me by
Mmm, the sun goin' down, boy
    dark gon' catch me here oooo ooee eeee
    boy, dark gon' catch me here
I haven't got no lovin' sweet woman that
    love and feel my care
You can run, you can run
    tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
You can run
    tell my friend-boy Willie Brown
Lord, that I'm standin' at the crossroad, babe
    I believe I'm sinkin' down

Notes: 1. See notes to "Cross Road Blues" (take 1) and
"Sweet Home Chicago".

WALKING BLUES

I woke
    up this mornin'
    feelin' 'round for my shoes
Know 'bout 'at I got these
    old walkin' blues, woke
Up this mornin'
    feelin' 'round
    oh, for my shoes
But you know 'bout 'at I
    got these old walkin' blues
Lord, I
    feel like blowin' my
    woh-old lonesome home
Got up this mornin', my little Ber-
    nice was gone, Lord
I feel like
    blow-ooon'
    my lonesome home
Well, I got up this mornin'
    woh-all I had was gone
Well-ah
    leave this morn' if I have to
    woh, ride the blind, ah
I've feel mistreated and I
    don't mind dyin'
Leavin' this morn', ah
    I have to ride a blind
Babe, I been mistreated
    baby, and I don't mind dyin'
Well
    some people tell me that the worried
    blues ain't bad
Worst old feelin' I most
    ever had, some
people tell me that these
    old worried
    old blues ain't bad
It's the worst old feelin'
    I most ever had
She got a
    Elgin movement from her head down
    to her toes
Break in on a dollar most any-
    where she goes, ooo ooooooooo
To her head down to her toes
    spoken: Oh, honey
Lord, she break in on a dollar
    most anywhere she goes

LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN

It's the last fair deal goin' down
    last fair deal goin' down
It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord
    on that Gulfport Island Road
Eh, Ida Belle, don't cry this time
    Ida Belle, don't cry this time
If you cry about a nickel
    you'll die 'bout a dime
  She wouldn't cry, but the money won't mine
I love the way you do
    I love the way you do
I love the way you do, good Lord
    On this Gulfport Island Road
My captain's so mean on me
    my captain's so mean on me
My captain's so mean on m'-mmm, good Lord
    On this Gulfport Island Road
Take camp tain he and see
    camp ain't he and see
At scal ain't be at seen, good Lord
    On that Gulfport Island Road
Ah, this last fair deal goin' down
    it's the last fair deal goin' down
This' the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord
    On this Gulfport Island Road
I'm workin' my way back home
    I'm workin' my way back home
I'm workin' my way back home, good Lord
    On this Gulfport Island Road
And that thing don't keep a-ringin' so soon
    that thing don't keep a-ringin' so soon
And that thing don't keep a-ringin' so soon, good Lord
    On that Gulfed and Port Island Road

Notes: 1. The Gulf&Ship Island Railroad linked the docks at Ship Island,
Miss., just off the mainland at Gulfport, with the main line at
Jackson. It ran through Hattiesburg and was completed July 4,
1900, its vice-president being the colorful Colonel William C.
Falkner, grandfather of the famous American novelist, William
Faulkner. It was purchased by the Illinois Central in July 1925
for five million dollars and over the next three years over one
and a half times that amount was spent on improvements!
2. The underlined passages above are phonetic approximations of
what Johnson sings, which, in truth, may be nonsensical
3. The "won't'' in the first verse is a dialectic substitute for
"weren't."

PREACHING BLUES (UP JUMPED THE DEVIL)

Mmmmm mmmmm
I's up this mornin'
    ah, blues walkin' like a man
I's up this mornin'
    ah, blues walkin' like a man
Worried blues
    give me your right hand
And the blues fell mama's child
    tore me all upside down
Blues fell mama's child
    and it tore me all upside down
Travel on, poor Bob
    just cain't turn you' round
The blu-u-u-u-ues
    is a low-down shakin' chill
    spoken: Yes, preach 'em now.
Mmmmm mmmmm
    is a low-down shakin' chill
You ain't never had 'em, I
    hope you never will
Well, the blues
    is a achin' old heart disease
    spoken: Do it now.
            You gon' do it?
            Tell me all about it.
Let the blues
    is a low-down achin' heart disease
Like consumption
    killing me by degrees
I can study rain
    oh, oh, drive, oh, oh, drive my blues
I been studyin' the rain and
    I'm 'on' drive my blues away
Goin' to the 'stil'ry
    stay out there all day

Notes: 1. The underlined are phonetically correct although meaningless.

IF I HAD POSSESSION OVER JUDGMENT DAY

If I had possession
    over judgment day
If I had possession
    over judgment day
Lord, the little woman I'm lovin' wouldn't
    have no right to pray
And I went to the mountain
    lookin' far as my eyes could see
And I went to the mountain
    lookin' far as my eye would see
Some other man got my woman and the '-a
    lonesome blues got me
And I rolled and I tumbled and I
    cried the whole night long
And I rolled and I tumbled and I
    cried the whole night long
Boy, I woke up this mornin'
    my biscuit roller gone
Had to fold my arms and I
    slowly walked away
    spoken: I didn't like the way she done
Had to fold my arms and I
    slowly walked away
I said in my mind, "Yo'
    trouble gon' come some day."
Now run here, baby
    set down on my knee
Now run here, baby
    set down on my knee
I wanna tell you all about the
    way they treated me

STONES IN MY PASSWAY

I got stones in my passway
    and my road seem dark as night
I got stones in my passway
    and my road seem dark as night
I have pains in my heart
    they have taken my appetite
I have a bird to whistle
    and I have a bird to sing
Have a bird to whistle
    and I have a bird to sing
I got a woman that I'm lovin'
    boy, but she don't mean a thing
My enemies have betrayed me
    have overtaken poor Bob at last
My enemies have betrayed me
    have overtaken poor Bob at last
An' 'ere's one thing certainly
    they have stones all in my pass
Now you tryin' to take my life
    and all my lovin', too
You laid a passway for me
    now what are you trying to do
I'm cryin' please
    plea-ease let us be friends
And when you hear me howlin' in my passway, rider
    plea-ease open your door and let me in
I got three legs to truck home
    boys, please don't block my road
I got three legs to truck home
    boys, please don't block my road
I've been feelin' ashamed 'bout my rider
    babe, I'm booked and I got to go

Notes: 1. The second "trying" is the only instance in Johnson's lyrics
where he uses the uncontracted present participle.

I'M A STEADY ROLLIN' MAN

I'm a steady rollin' man
    I roll both night and day
I'm a steady rollin' man
    hmm  hmm, I roll both night and day
But I haven't got no sweet woman
    hmm  mmm, boys, to be rollin' this-a way
I'm the man that rolls
    when icicles is hangin' on the tree
I'm the man that rolls
    when icicles is hangin' on the tree
And now you hear me howlin', baby
    hmm hmm mmm, down on my bended knee
I'm a hard workin' man
    have been for many years, I know
I'm a hard workin' man
    have been for many long years, I know
And some cream puff's usin' my money
    ooh well, babe, but that'll never be no more
You can't give your sweet woman
    everything she wants in one time
Ooh hoo ooo, you can't give your sweet woman
    everything she wants in one time
Well, boys, she get ramblin' in her brain
    hmm mmm mmm, some monkey man on
    her mind
I'm a steady rollin' man
    I roll both night and day
I am a steady rollin' man
    and I roll both night and day
Well, I don't have no sweet woman
    hmm mmm, boys, to be rollin' this-a way

FROM FOUR TILL LATE

From four until late
    I was wringin' my hands and cryin'
>From four until late
    I was wringin' my hands and cryin'
I believe to my soul
    that your daddy's Gulfport bound
>From Memphis to Norfolk
    is a thirty-six hours' ride
>From Memphis to Norfolk
    is a thirty-six hours' ride
A man is like a prisoner
    and he's never satisfied
A woman is like a dresser
    some man always ramblin' th'ough its drawers
A woman is like a dresser
    some man's always ramblin' th'ough its drawers
It cause so many men
    wear an apron overhall
>From four until late
    she get with a no-good bunch and clown
>From four until late
    she get with a no-good bunch and clown
Now, she won't do nothin'
    but tear a good man' reputation down
When I leave this town
    I'm 'on' bid you fare...farewell
And when I leave this town
    I'm gon' bid you fare...farewell
And when I return again
    you'll have a great long story to tell

Notes: 1. It is a approximately 800 miles between Memphis and Norfolk.

HELLHOUND ON MY TRAIL

I got to keep movin'
    I've got to keep movin'
    blues fallin' down like hail
    blues fallin' down iike hail
Umm mmm mmm mmm
    blues fallin' down like hail
    blues fallin' down like hail
And the days keeps on worryin' me
    there's a hellhound on my trail
    hellhound on my trail
    hellhound on my trail
If today was Christmas Eve
    If today was Christmas Eve
    and tomorrow was Christmas Day
If today was Christmas Eve
    and tomorrow was Christmas Day
    spoken: Aow, wouldn't we have a time, baby?
All I would need my little sweet rider just
    to pass the time away, huh huh
    to pass the time away
You sprinkled hot foot powder, mmm
    mmm, around my door
    all around my door
You sprinkled hot foot powder
    all around your daddy's door, hmm hmm hmm
It keep me with ramblin' mind, rider
    every old place I go
    every old place I go
I can tell the wind is risin'
    the leaves tremblin' on the tree
    tremblin' on the tree
I can tell the wind is risin'
    leaves tremblin' on the tree,
    hmm hmm hmm mmm
All I need's my little sweet woman
    and to keep my company,  hey hey hey hey
    my company

Notes: 1. Webster's defines "hellhound" as "a dog of hell, as Cerberus, in
Greek and Roman mythology, the three-headed dog guarding the
gate of Hades."
2. "Doctor Pryor's Alleged Hot Foot Powder - for burning or
spinkling" is still manufactured by Japo Oriental Incense Co.,
Chicago 21, Ill.
3. The last "sweet" may sound like "street" to some ears, however,
in context, it is unlikely that this is the case.

LITTLE QUEEN OF SPADES (take 1)

Now, she is a little queen of spades
    and the men will not let her be
Mmm mmm mmm, she is the little queen of spades
    and the men will not let her be
Everytime she makes a spread
    hoo, fair brown, cold chill just runs all over me
I'm gon' get me a gamblin' woman
    if the last thing that I do
Eee hee eee, gon' get me a gamblin' woman
    if it's the last thing that I do
Well, a man don't need a woman
    hoo, fair brown, that he got to give all his money to
Everybody say she got a mojo
    now, she's been usin' that stuff
Mmm mmm mmm, 'verybody says she got a mojo
    'cause she been usin' that stuff
But she got a way trimmin' down
    hoo, fair brown, and I mean it's most too tough
Now little girl, since I am the King
    baby, and you is a queen
Ooo hoo eee, since I am the King
    baby, and you is a queen
Le's us put our heads together
    hoo, fair brown, then we can make our
    money  green

LITTLE QUEEN OF SPADES (take 2)

Mmme, she is a little queen of spades
    and the men will not let her be
Hoo hoo ooo, she is the little queen of spades
    and the men will not let her be
Everytime she makes a spread
    hoo, cold chill just runs all over me
'ell, I'm gon' get me a gamblin' woman
    'f i's the last thing that I do
Ooo hoo eee, gon' get me a gamblin' woman
    'f 's the last thing that I do
A man don't need a woman
    hoo, fair brown, he got to give all of his money to
'ell, everybody say she got a mojo
    baby, you've been usin' that stuff
Hmm hmm mmm, everybody say she got a mojo
    'cause she been usin' that stuff
She got a way trimmin' down
    hoo we', babe, and I mean it's most too tough
Well, well, little girl, since I am the King
    fair brown, and you is a queen
Hoo hoo ooe, since I am the King
    baby, and you is a queen
Le's we put our heads together
    hoo, fair brown, then we can make our
    money green

MALTED MILK

I keep drinkin' malted milk
    tryin' to drive my blues away
I keep drinkin' malted milk
    tryin' to drive my blues away
Baby, you just as welcome to my lovin'
    as the flowers is in May
Malted milk, malted milk
    keep rushin' to my head
Malted milk, malted milk
    keep rushin' to my head
And I have a funny, funny feelin'
    and I'm talkin' all out my head
Baby, fix me one more drink
    and hug your daddy one more time
Baby, fix me one more drink
    and hug your daddy one more time
Keep on stirrin' in my malted milk, mama
    until I change my mind
My doorknob keeps on turnin'
    it must be spooks around my bed
My doorknob keeps on turnin'
    must be spooks around my bed
I have a warm, old feelin'
    and the hair risin' on my head

DRUNKEN HEARTED MAN (take 1)

I'm a drunken hearted man
    my life seem so misery
I'm the drunken hearted man
    my life seem so misery
And if I could change my way of livin'
    It t'would mean so much to me
I been dogged and I been driven
    eve' since I left my mother's home
I been dogged and I been driven
    eve' since I left my mother's home
And I can't see the reason why
    that I can't leave these no-good womens alone
My father died and left me
    my poor mother done the best that she could
My father died and left me
    my poor mother done the best she could
Every man likes that game you call love
    but it don't mean no man no good
Now, I'm the drunken hearted man
    and sin was the cause of it all
    spoken: Oh, play 'em, now
I'm a drunken hearted man
    and sin was the cause of it all
And the day that you get weak for no-good women
    that's the day that you bound to fall

DRUNKEN HEARTED MAN (take 2)

I'm a drunken hearted man
    my life seem so misery
I'm the poor drunken hearted man
    my life seem so misery
And if I could only change my way of livin'
    it t'would mean so much to me
I been dogged and I been driven
    eve' since I left my mother's home
I been dogged and I been driven
    eve' since I left my mother's home
And I can't see the reason why
    that I can't leave these no good womens alone
My poor father died and left me
    and my mother done the best that she could
My poor father died and left me
    and my mother done the best that she could
Every man love that game you call love
    but it don't mean no man no good
I'm the poor drunken hearted man
    and sin was the cause of it all
I'm a poor drunken hearted man
    and sin was the cause of it all
But the day you get weak for no good women
    that's the day that you surely fall

ME AND THE DEVIL BLUES (take 1)

Early this mornin'
    when you knocked upon my door
Early this mornin', ooh
    when you knocked upon my door
And I said, "Hello, Satan,
    I believe it's time to go."
Me and the Devil
    was walkin' side by side
Me and the Devil, ooh
    was walkin' side by side
And I'm goin' to beat my woman
    until I get satisfied
She say you don't see why
    that you will dog me 'round
    spoken: Now, babe, you know you ain't doin' me
    right, don'cha
She say you don't see why, ooh
    that you will dog me 'round
It must-a be that old evil spirit
    so deep down in the ground
You may bury my body
    down by the highway side
    spoken: Baby, I don't care where you bury my
    body when I'm dead and gone
You may bury my body, ooh
    down by the highway side
So my old evil spirit
    can catch a Greyhound bus and ride

ME AND THE DEVIL BLUES (take 2)

Early this mornin'
    when you knocked upon my door
Early this mornin', ooh
    when you knocked upon my door
And I said, "Hello, Satan,
    I believe it's time to go."
Me and the Devil
    was walkin' side by side
Me and the Devil, ooh
    was walkin' side by side
I'm goin' to beat my woman
    until I get satisfied
She say you don't see why
    that I will dog her 'round
    spoken: Now, baby, you know you ain't doin' me
    right, now
She say you don't see why, ooh
    that I will dog her 'round
It must-a be that old evil spirit
    so deep down in the ground
You may bury my body
    down by the highway side
    spoken: Baby, I don't care where you bury my
    body when  I'm dead and gone
You may bury my body, ooh
    down by the highway side
So my old evil spirit
    can get a Greyhound bus and ride

STOP BREAKIN' DOWN BLUES (take 1)

Everytime I'm walkin'
    down the streets
Some pretty mama start breakin'
    down with me
Stop breakin' down
    yes, stop breakin' down
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind
I can't walk the streets, now, con...
    consolate my mind
Some no-good woman she starts
    breakin' down
Stop breakin' down
    please, stop breakin' down
The stuff I got it gon' bust your brains out
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind
Now, you Saturday night womens
    you love to ape and clown
You won't do nothin' but tear a good man
    reputation down Stop breakin' down
    please, stop breakin' down
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind
Now, I give my baby, now, the
    ninety-nine degree
She jumped up and throwed a pistol
    down on me Stop breakin' down
    please, stop breakin' down
Stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind
I can't start walkin'
    down the streets
But some pretty mama don't start breakin' down with me
Stop breakin' down
    yes, stop breakin' down
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

Notes: 1. Among the various definitions of "break down" is "to give way to
emotion" (Webster's).

STOP BREAKIN' DOWN BLUES (take 2)

Now, I can't walk the streets, now
    to consolate my mind
Some pretty mama, she start
    breakin' down
Stop breakin' down
    please, stop breakin' down
Now, the stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind
I can't walk the streets, now, to consolate my mind
Some no-good woman, now, she start breakin' down
Stop breakin' down
    please, stop breakin' down
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind
You know the Saturday night women, now
    they love to ape and clown
They won't do nothin' but tear yo'
    reputation down
Stop breakin' down
    please, stop breakin' down
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind
Now  I gave my baby
    that ninety-nine degree
She jumped up and throwed a pistol
    down on me
Stop breakin' down
    please, stop breakin' down
That stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind
Now, that fiddle player, now, use
    rosum on his bow
That don't make your fiddle cry, baby, you know it
    don't go
Stop breakin' down
    please, stop breakin' down
The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby
    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

Notes: 1. See notes to "Stop Breakin' Down Blues" (take1).

TRAVELING RIVERSIDE BLUES

If your man get personal
    want you to have your fun
If your man get personal
    want you to have your fun
Just come on back to Friars Point, mama, and
    barrelhouse all night long
I got womens in Vicksburg
    clean on into Tennessee
I got womens in Vicksburg
    clean on into Tennessee
But my Friars Point rider, now
    hops all over me
I ain't gon' to state no color, but her
    front teeth crowned with gold
I ain't gon' to state no color, but her
    front teeth is crowned with gold
She got a mortgage on my body, now, and a
    lien on my soul
Lord, I'm goin' to Rosedale, gon' take my
    rider by my side
Lord, I'm goin' to Rosedale, gon' take my
    rider by my side
We can still barrelhouse, baby, 'cause it's
    on the river side
Now, you can squeeze my lemon 'til the
    juice run down my...
    spoken: Til the juice run down my leg, baby, you
    know what I'm talkin' 'bout.
You can squeeze my lemon 'til the
    juice run down my leg
    spoken: That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, now.
But I'm goin' back to Friars Point, if I be rockin'
    to my head

Notes: 1. Friars Point and Rosedale are both located on Mississippi
Highway I, commonly called the River Road, some 45 miles
apart. Vicksburg, further south, is also on the river, but on U.S.
Highway 61 where it intersects Interstate 20, some 230 miles
from Memphis.

HONEYMOON BLUES

Betty Mae, Betty Mae
    you shall be my wife someday
Betty Mae, Betty Mae
    you shall be my wife someday
I wants a little sweet girl
    that will do anything that I say
Betty Mae, you is my heartstring
    you is my destiny
Betty Mae, you is my heartstring
    you is my destiny
And you rolls dacross my mind
    baby, each and every day
Li'l girl, li'l girl
    my life seem so misery
Hmm hmm-mmm, little girl
    my life seem so misery
Baby, I guess it must be love, now
    hoom-mmm, Lord, that's takin' effect on me
Some day I will return
    with the marriage license in my hand
Some day I will return
    hoo hoo, 'th a marriage license in my hand
I'm 'on' take you for a honeymoon
    in some long, long distant land

LOVE IN VAIN (take 1)

SPOKEN: "I wanna go with our next one myself"

And I followed her to the station
    with a suitcase in my hand
And I followed her to the station
    with a suitcase in my hand
Well, it's hard to tell, it's hard to tell
    when all your love's in vain
All my love's in vain
When the train rolled up to the station
    I looked her in the eye
When the train rolled up to the station
    and I looked her in the eye
Well, I was lonesome, I felt so lonesome
    and I could not help but cry
All my love's in vain
When the train, it left the station
    with two lights on behind
When the train, it left the station
    with two lights on behind
Well, the blue light was my blues
    and the red light was my mind
All my love's in vain
Ou hou ou ou ou
    hoo, Willie Mae
Oh oh oh oh oh hey
    hoo, Willie Mae
Ou ou ou ou ou ou
    hee vee oh woe
All my love's in vain

LOVE IN VAIN (take 4)

And I followed her to the station
    with my suitcase in my hand
And I followed her to the station
    with suitcase in my hand
Well, it's hard to tell, it's hard to tell
    when all your love's in vain
All my love's in vain
When the train rolled up to the station
    and I looked her in the eye
When the train rolled up to the station
    and I looked her in the eye
Well, I felt lonesome, I was lonesome
    and I could not help but cry
All my love's in vain
When the train, it left the station
    with two lights on behind
When the train, it left the station
    with two lights on behind
Well, the blue light was my blues
    and the red light was my mind
All my love's in vain
Eee eee eee eee ooo
    hoo,Willie Mae
Ey ey ey ey ey ey ey
    hoo, Willie Mae
Ey ey ey hey hey hey hey
    hee vee oh woe
All my love's in vain

MILKCOW'S CALF BLUES (take 2)

Tell me, milk cow
    what on Earth is wrong with you?
Te-hell me, milk cow
    what on Earth is wrong with you?
Well, well, you have a new calf, hoo hoo
    and your milk is turnin' blue
Your calf is hungry
    and I believe he needs a suck
    spoken: Now, you know that calf done got hungry
Your calf is hungry
    and I believe he needs a suck
Well, now, but the milk is turnin' blue, hoo hoo
    and I believe he's outta luck
Now I feel like milkin' and my
    cow won't come
I feel like chu'in' it and my
    milk won't turn
I'm cryin' plea-hease
    plea-hease, don't do me wrong
You can give-a right milk and butter, now, baby
    you-hoo, will stay at home
My milk cow been ramblin'
    hoo hoo, for miles around
My milk cow been ramblin'
    hoo hoo, for miles around
She been troublin' some other bull cow, hoo hoo
    Lord, in this man's town

MILKCOW'S CALF BLUES (take 3)

Te-hell me, milk cow
    what on Earth is wrong with you?
Ooo ooo eee, milk cow
    what on Earth is wrong with you?
Now, you have a little calf, hoo hoo
    and your milk is turnin' blue
Now, your calf is hungry
    I believe he needs a suck
Now, your calf is hungry
    hoo hoo, I believe he needs a suck
But your milk is turnin' blue, hoo hoo
    I believe he's outta luck
Now, I feel like milkin' and my
    cow won't come
I feel like chu'in' it and my
    milk won't turn
I'm cryin', plea-ease
    plea-ease, don't do me wrong
If you see my milk cow, baby, now-how
    plea-ease, drive her home
My milk cow been ramblin'
    hoo hee, for miles around
My milk cow been ramblin'
    hoo hoo, for miles around
Well, now, can you suck on some other man's bull cow
    hoo hoo, in this strange man's town?

Last-modified: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 06:25:06 GmT