Difference between revisions of "Shelby County Workhouse Blues"

Revision as of 00:18, 10 July 2020

Shelby County Workhouse Blues-Hambone Willie Newbern
Hambone Willie Newbern, vocal and guitar in C position, standard tuning

I left old Memphis, Tennessee on my way back to Marked Tree
I left old Memphis, Tennessee on my way back to dear old Marked Tree
I'm out in the gumbo mud, baby, says jam up above my knee

Says, I fold my arms, I didn't have but one word to say
And I fold my arms, I didn't have but one word to say
Cast my eyes to the Lord, say, "You please have mercy on poor me."

Well, I left old Marked Tree, goin' back to Memphis, Tennessee
And I left old Marked Tree, on my way back to Memphis, Tennessee
No sooner I got at the bus station, Lord, the police, he arrest poor me

Lord, the police 'rest me, carried me 'fore the judge
Police 'rest me, carried me 'fore the judge
Well, the lawyers talked so fast, didn't have the time to say not nary word

Well, the lawyer pleaded, and the judge he turned and wrote it down
Lawyer pleaded and the judge, he turned and wrote it down
Says, "I'll give you ten days, buddy, out in little old Shelby town."

And they carried me up, and stared me up in the face
And they stood me up, stared me in the face
Guard said to the trustee, said, "Put the shackles", says, "around his leg."

Hollerin' mmmmmmmmmm, Lawdy, Lawdy Lawd
Mmmmmmmmm, Lawdy, Lawdy Lawd
Lord, the guards all treated me like I was a low-down dog

OUTRO

Go to original forum thread