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?
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