Topic: Alec Johnson Lyrics

[LB]

Hi anyone know these few missing lines in the last two verses. I am having trouble with them. See the question marks for the two lines I am missing. Thanks...LB


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Sundown Blues ? Alec Johnson Atlanta Ga 1920/30s

I hate to see the evening sun go down
That?s the time by baby left this down
I get the blues when the evening sun goes down

She was the meanest gal for miles around
She made me love her then she called me down
I get the blues when the evening sun goes down

Hmmm Hmmm

Now everybody scorns me with a frown
Since my baby left me broke in town
I sigh and cry when the evening son goes down

Instrumental break

My friends are skating they cannot be found
Cause my gal she quit and left this town
Oh how I grieve when the evening sun goes down

                                                     <<<-------------------- BEGIN MP3 SAMPLE BELOW
They aching bout the gal who left this town
 How I despair when the evening sun go down

Hmm hmm

When shadow spread that dreary dew around
From a far I hear a sound
My soul just weep when the evening sun go down

[LB]

adding MP3 sample of the two last verses....

PLAY MP3

[Johnm]

Hi Little Brother,
Here's what I hear on "Sundown Blues".

   I hate to see the evening sun go down
   That's the time my baby left this town
   I get the blues when the evening sun goes down

   She was the meanest gal for miles around
   Made me love her then she called me down
   I feel so sad when the evening sun goes down

   Mmmmmmm

   Now everybody's scorned me, with a frown
   Since my baby left me broke in town
   I sigh and cry when the evening sun goes down

   My friends are scarce and they can not be found
   'Cause my gal she quit and left this town
   Oh, how I grieve when the evening sun goes down

   Straight for the madhouse I'm surely bound
   Thinkin' 'bout the gal who left this town
   How I despair when the evening sun goes down

   Mmmmmmmmmm

   When shadows spread that dreary hue around
   From afar I hear a doleful sound
   My soul just weeps when the evening sun goes down

It's nice the way he varies the tag line at the end of each verse.  These lyrics are very unusual; the last verse sounds like Alec Johnson had been reading Victorian poetry.  I never noticed before how unusual the phrasing is on this song.  It works out like so--measures are four beats unless otherwise indicated:

When shadows spread that dreary hue around,      
        |              I                      |          I           |
        From afar I hear a doleful sound, my soul just
        |              I          |             I-4 + 2 beats    |
        Weeps when the evening sun goes  down
        |                         IV-4 +I-2 beats |         I        |         I          |

I suppose you could say the song has the same number of beats as a conventional 8-bar blues, but he doesn't phrase it that way.  He's very consistent, 7 bars with the fourth and fifth bars each long by two beats.  He never hits a V chord either.  This song is a real one-of-a-kind one.  The melody to the first two lines is an awful lot like Charlie Lincoln's "Jealous Hearted Blues".  I wonder what the flip side to this song was like?

Edited, 12/30/10 to pick up correction from uncle bud
All best,
Johnm

[LB]

John,

Your mind is a national blues treasure trove. Thank you sir!

LB

[Montgomery]

The flip side to Sundown Blues is Miss Meal Cramp.  In my opinion, EVERY Alec Johnson recording is one-of-a-kind.  The guitarist here, and on all his recordings, is Joe McCoy, and on most of them (including Miss Meal Cramp) he's joined by Charlie McCoy on mandolin and Bo Carter on violin! (and an unidentified pianist)  Truly a blues supergroup with a bizarre twist, these country blues masters playing very comfortably behind this vaudevillian singer who trills his R's and over-enunciates.  I don't think I've ever heard recordings like these.  I particularly like Joe McCoy's playing on "Next Week Sometime" and the full band's creepy accompaniment to "Mysterious Coon."  Beautiful stuff.

[Montgomery]

For those who haven't heard it, here's "Mysterious Coon."

[attachment deleted by admin]

[LB]

Wow, that is fantastic Montgomery .. How cool is that! What a super treat, thanks.

[Johnm]

I will second Little Brother's thanks, Montgomery.  I actually have that set, but it hadn't registered that the singer was the same Alec Johnson who did "Sundown Blues", and I didn't know any of that information about the personnel on his recordings.  From his singing style, I thought he might be a college professor or something like that.  Vaudeville makes more sense.  Thanks!
All best,
Johnm

[Montgomery]

Okay, here's "Next Week Sometime," the other Alec Johnson with just Joe McCoy as accompaniment.  As usual, McCoy is incredibly inventive with a relatively simple progression.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[LB]

Fantastic stuff. Reminds me of Bo Carter's "Shes your cook but she burns my bread sometimes". I never ever get tired of this stuff. Glad I'm not alone.

[uncle bud]

My friends are skating they cannot be found
Cause my gal she quit and left this town
Oh how I grieve when the evening sun goes down

Just a minor correction to this verse from Sundown Blues. The first line is "My friends are SCARCE AND they cannot be found". IMO.

[Bunker Hill]

Just a minor correction to this verse from Sundown Blues. The first line is "My friends are SCARCE AND they cannot be found". IMO.

In the 1967 booklet to RBF15 I amended Sam Charters's [skating] to "scarce" but all those decades ago hadn't obviously figured out the "and" after it.

[Johnm]

Good catch, uncle bud.  I missed that one.
all best,
Johnm

[Chezztone]

Not strange that Bo Carter backed Alec Johnson on record -- Alec Johnson is Carter's brother Ferdinand. Also Joe and Charlie McCoy were brothers, who played often with the Chatmons (all are from the same area). And the McCoys may have been cousins to the Chatmons. The Alec Johnson recordings were very much a family affair!

[Johnm]

Thanks for that info, Chezz.  I never knew Alec Johnson was one of the Chatmon brothers.
All best,
Johnm

[uncle bud]

Not strange that Bo Carter backed Alec Johnson on record -- Alec Johnson is Carter's brother Ferdinand. Also Joe and Charlie McCoy were brothers, who played often with the Chatmons (all are from the same area). And the McCoys may have been cousins to the Chatmons. The Alec Johnson recordings were very much a family affair!

Hiya Chezz - that's the second time I've heard that recently. Can't remember the first time, although maybe from you as well at PT or something. When was this discovered? Is it old news or new? Pretty interesting that Johnson would be a Chatmon. His style is so vaudevillian compared to any of that circle, and his voice and delivery are very different.

[Fkeller]

I've got it nearly down but I'm posting here for a little confirmation and to invite lyric uploading to the 'pedia.  Listen to it hear:  http://kiwi6.com/file/cwv4r0tz1q

Lord I'm broke and hungry and my money's all gone x 2
Winter into summer, I've got to travel on  (unsure about Winter into summer)

All my crops a failure couldn't raise a doggone thing x 2
I'm just like a beggar, hear these mournful blues I sing

If I see a porkchop, Lord I believe I'd pass away x 2
I ain't had a square meal in many a doggone day

I'm so broke and hungry I could eat a kangaroo x 2
I feel just like stealing, there's nothing else to do

Won't somebody help me with a little bit to eat x 2
Don't care what you give me I'd eat even chicken feet

Standing on the roadside a great big sign in red x 2
Say you need a biscuit because I was a near drop dead (unsure of the last few words here)

My body feels so weary 'cause I've got the Miss Meal Cramps x 2
Right now I could eat more than a whole carload of tramps

[Pan]

Hi Fkeller

What a great tune, thanks for sharing.

I'm sorry I can't help you with the unsure parts, but on the 5th verse I think I'm hearing:

Won't somebody help me with a little BITE to eat...

Let's hope others can confirm your work.

Cheers

Pan

[Fkeller]

Pan--absolutely.  That's a typo.  My bad LOL

[Lastfirstface]

All your lyrics look right to me. I love Charlie McCoy's mandolin playing on this tune.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Apropos of nothing, I always think, when I see the title, that "Miss Meal Cramp Blues" is about the winner of a beauty pageant, as per "Here she is, ladies and gentlemen--Miss Meal Cramp of 2016!".
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
It's been a little while since the "Miss Meal Cramp Blues" lyrics have been posted, but I have a couple of questions.  In the tagline of the first verse I'm hearing:
   [  ?   ] IN THE STOMACH, I've got to travel on

For the next-to-last verse,
   Standing on the roadside, a great big sign, IT READ
   Standing on the roadside, a great big sign, IT READ
   Say, "U-Needa Biscuit", because I was a-near drop dead

Can anyone help finish these lyrics off?  Thanks!

All best,
Johnm

[banjochris]

Hi all,
   [  ?   ] IN THE STOMACH, I've got to travel on

For the next-to-last verse,
   Standing on the roadside, a great big sign, IT READ
   Standing on the roadside, a great big sign, IT READ
   Say, "U-Needa Biscuit", because I was a-near drop dead

John, I think you've got it, and I would suggest
WITHERED/WITHER in the stomach...

totally agree on the sign/biscuit verse.

Chris

[Johnm]

Ha!  "Wither in the stomach", you got it Chris!  Thanks so much.  This one is ready to go.
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
For "Next Week Sometime", Alec Johnson was accompanied by Joe McCoy as he had been on "Sundown Blues", with Joe flat-picking this time out of C position in standard tuning.  It's great to hear Alec Johnson sounding more lively.  Here is the duo's performance:



INTRO

I went out last night, I got drunk, I was in whiskey up to my head
A young lady, she walked up to me, and this is what she said,
She says, "Wait a minute, brother, you're a nice little fellow and you're looking mighty fine."
She says, "While you out tonight, buying plenty corn whiskey, won't you buy me a bottle of wine?"

I told her, "Next week sometime, daughter, but not now.
I never did b'lieve in buyin' whiskey for women 'fore the first of July, nohow."
I told her to give me time, let me think, then I'd tell her exactly when I'd buy that expensive drink
It'd be next week sometime, daughter, but not now

SOLO

I went to see a fortune teller, just to have my fortune told
He says, "Young man, you are partly rich, you're worth a great big pot of gold."
He says, "The way you've got, get this gold, you've got to listen while I tell.
You've got to go in a lonesome graveyard as the clock is striking twelve."

I got myself a pick and a shovel, I reached the graveyard, twelve that night
When I got in there, I do declare, I spied a form all dressed in white
When I spied that form all dressed in white, I got right hot and cold
This ha'nt said, "Don't be afraid, I want to help you dig your gold."

I told him, "Next week sometime, brother, but not now.
I never did b'lieve in diggin' gold with a no-head man, the graveyard, nohow."
Now, me and this ha'nt run breast to breast, he says, "Look here, brother, when are you gon' rest?"
I told him, "Next week sometime, brother, but not now."

All best,
Johnm
 





 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
By the sound of it, Alec Johnson had the same line-up backing him on "The Mysterious Coon" as he had on "Miss Meal Cramp Blues", with Joe McCoy on guitar, Charlie McCoy on mandolin, Bo Carter on violin and an un-named pianist.  Bo sounds almost like he's playing a theremin.  Songs of this type were once a mainstay of the vaudeville stage, apparently.  I'd be very surprised if Jerron Paxton doesn't know and play this song, as "Coon Songs" are one of his specialties and a particular delight to him.  Here is Alec Johnson's performance:



INTRO

All the coons 'round Coontown was feelin' mighty funny,
A strange coon blowed in town, he had a terrible lot of money
He'd only been in town a week ago tomorrow
All the rest of the darkies, has bowed their head in sorrow

There's some kind of mystery, likin' to him
He's always dressed so neat and trim
He wears patent leather slippers, a high silk hat
He's got diamonds all over his silk cravat
He's got a face like a preacher, don't ever smile
He's always dressed in a gambler's style
He ain't tipped his hat since he's been in town
And the darks is all crazy, started mumblin' around, sayin',

"I wonder, what is that coon's game?
The way he spends his money is a sin and a shame.
Is he from Klondike or from Maine?
That's what I'd like to know."
I'm worried about him, I must admit
'Cause among the yella gals he's made an awful hit.
I wonder what is that coon's game?

INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE

The coon rides a wheel with a pearl and diamond settin'
Around no kind of game you can't ever see him gettin'
So each and every darkie had a mighty funny feelin'
One went and told the police, "I think that darkie's stealin'."
So they arrested him on suspicion, about nine one night
The darkies held a meetin', with a great delight
Every darkie was in court the next morning soon
To see what they were gon' do with this mysterious coon

"One hundred dollars!", is what the judge said.
The darkie pulled a roll of money, big as your head
Then everybody in court begin to look strange
When he give the judge a thousand dollars, said, "Keep the change."
Put on his kid gloves and started toward the door
Then every darkie in court begin to mumble low, sayin',

"I wonder what is that coon's game?
The way he spends his money is a sin and a shame.
Is he from Klondike or from Maine?
That's what I'd like to know.
I'm worried about him, I must admit
'Cause among the yella gals he's made an awful hit.
I wonder what is that coon's game?"

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
"Sister Maud Mule" sounds as though it was recorded with the same ensemble that played "The Mysterious Coon".  At first I thought the song was about a talking mule, but then I figured it was about someone known as "mule" for her contrary ways rather than it being her actual family name.  As Mel Allen used to say, "How about that!"  The song utilizes a common ragtime progression.  Here is the performance:



Sister Maud Mule had an awful hot temper, she must have been born that way
She kept her papa busy, turnin' down her damper 'cause she was so red hot all day
Before she'd give an inch, she'd take a mile, and sometimes she'd take two
Was nothing you could ask of her, but what she'd say to you,

"I ain't gon' do it, try to make me do it, you can't make me do it, that's all.
You can hem and haw, kick and paw, and argue 'til you fall.
You can lead a mule to water, you can make him stop, but you can't make the fool drink a doggone drop.
I ain't gon' do it, wouldn't 'tempt to do it, I ain't gon' do it, that's all."

FIDDLE/MANDOLIN SOLO

"I ain't gon' do it, said I wouldn't do it, I ain't gon' do it, that's all.
You can rave and rant, chew and pant, and snort until you fall.
You can point your pistol at me, you can call the law, and I'll fight you 'til I'm grayer than a rat's grandpa.
I ain't gon' do it, swear I wouldn't do it, I ain't gon' do it, that's all.

FIDDLE/MANDOLIN SOLO

"I ain't gonna do it, said I wouldn't do it, and I won't do it, that's all.
You can rave and rant, chew and pant, and snort until you fall.
You can call the whole militia, and the Colonel, too, let 'em put the fireworks on me, and see what I'll do
I ain't gonna do it, said I wouldn't do it, I won't do it, that's all."

All best,
Johnm

   
 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
For "Toodle Doo", Alec Johnson was once again accompanied by his large ensemble with Bo Carter on violin, Charlie McCoy on mandolin, Joe McCoy on guitar (playing in C position, standard tuning) and an unknown pianist.  Hambone Willie Newbern recorded a related, and much less slick song called "She Could Toodle-oo"  The chorus of Alec Johnson's song utilizes the most common 16-bar raggy progression.  After an initial verse, the song sticks to the chorus for the remainder of the rendition, including solos.  Here it is:



INTRO

I knowed a gal, she was a musician, she played a saxyphone
The story I'm gon' tell, is confidential, she wouldn't let the boys alone
She knowed one song, that's all she could blow, listen, I'll tell you how it goes

CHORUS: She'd toodle-oo, toodle-oo, toodle-oodle-oodle-oodle-oo
She'd toodle-oo, she'd toodle-oo, toodle-oo's all she could do
Now, all the boys in the neighborhood, crazy about her 'cause she toodle-ooed good
She'd toodle-oo, she'd toodle-oo, she'd toodle-oodle-oodle-oodle-oo

FIDDLE SOLO

CHORUS:  She'd toodle-oo, she'd toodle-oo, she'd toodle-oodle-oodle-oodle-oo
She'd toodle-oo, toodle-oo, toodle-oo's all she could do
Now, she laid down and died, never heard of such, the doctor told her mama she toodle-ooed too much
She'd toodle-oo, she'd toodle-oo, she toodle-oodle-oodle-oodle-oo

MANDOLIN SOLO

CHORUS:  She'd toodle-oo, she'd toodle-oo, she toodle-oodle-oodle-oodle-oo
She'd toodle-oo, toodle-oo, toodle-oo's all she could do
Now, she stopped on a bridge, to tie up her shoe, the plank, it broke, toodle-oodle-oo
She'd toodle-oo, toodle-oo, toodle-oodle-oodle-oodle-oo

All best,
Johnm

[alyoung]

Ahhhh ... they don't write lyrics like that these days, do they?