Shorty George--Leadbelly
Shorty George[1] - Leadbelly
5 February 1935 New York City
ARC 16814-1 unissued
Transcribed from Leadbelly King of the 12-String Guitar, Columbia Roots 'N' Blues 467893
12 string in standard down two whole steps to C and played in C position so actual pitch is A flat
[Intro 9 bars]
Well Shorty George, he's no friend of mine
Yes a' Shorty George, he's no friend of mine
He keeps a takin' all the women, leavin' the men behind
I went to the depot, looked up on the sign
Yes I went to the depot, looked up on the sign
Oh the train she ride, still marked up on time
When I asked the captain, "captain have you don't care?"
When I asked the captain, "captain have you don't care?"
I would take my baby, and bring her right back here
I'm the poor old boy, long way from home
He's a poor old boy, long way from home
Lord I want you captain, to go on my bond
Aw Shorty George, travelin' through the land
Yes a' Shorty George, travelin' through the land
Don't take all the women, takes young women's man
[Instrumental verse]
Some has got six months, some's got two and three years
Yes a' some has got six months, some's got two and three years
But there's so many good men, got a lifetime here
Well a Shorty George, done been here and gone
Yes a Shorty George, done been here and gone
There's so many good men, a long ways from home
[Outro, end suddenly on the V]
Notes
- ↑ Lornell and Wolfe in the Leadbelly bio report Shorty George "is about a short train that ran out of the farm from Houston. On Sundays it brought wives, families, and lovers to the men at Sugarland"
