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'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.
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)
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
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
issued 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)
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!
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
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.
'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
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...
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
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".
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".
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
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
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 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 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.
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
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
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
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).
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.
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
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
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
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
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