Country Blues > Country Blues Lyrics
Blind Lemon Jefferson lyrics
dingwall:
Thanks, Andrew. I'll come back to you on the mp3 in a day or so.
dingwall:
PROPOSED FINAL VERSION
Jack O'Diamond Blues(2557-1) - Blind Lemon Jefferson
Chicago c. May 1926, Pm 12373
Spanish (G)
Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Jack O' Diamonds once in time,
He did rob a friend of mine.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Bet the Jack against the Queen,
It's gonna turn your money green.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Bet the Jack agin the Four,
You're gonna win right in the dough.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' Diamonds made me cry,
I expect to gamble until I die.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
NOTE
This is confusing in the sense that in the opening two lines of verses, he sings the singular DIAMOND/DIAMOND'S in accordance with the title (which suggests that it is not a misprint), but later uses the plural DIAMONDS.
----------------------------------------------------------
Apart from some doubtful words, this is confusing in the sense that in the opening two lines of verses, he sings the singular 'Diamond/Diamond's' in accordance with the title (which suggests that it is not a misprint??), but later uses the plural 'Diamonds'. Again, for clarity, and in both takes, I give my full version and not just affected lines.
Jack O'Diamond Blues(2557-1) - Blind Lemon Jefferson
Chicago c. May 1926, Pm 12373
Spanish (G)
Jack O' Diamonds . . . Jack O' Diamonds . . .
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play . . .
Jack O' Diamonds once this time
He did rob a friend of mine
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play . . .
Bet the Jack against the Queen
It's gonna turn your money green
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play
Jack O' Diamonds . . . Jack O' Diamonds . . .
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play . . .
Bet the Jack against their Four
You gonna win right in the dough/door*
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play . . .
Jack O' Diamonds made me cry
I expect to gamble til I die
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play . . .
Jack O' Diamonds . . . Jack O' Diamonds . . .
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play . . .
Jack O'Diamond Blues(2557-1)
Jack O' DI, Jack O' DIAMOND,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Jack O' Diamonds once IN time,
He did rob a friend of mine.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Bet the Jack against the Queen,
It's gonna turn your money green.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' DI, Jack O' DIAMOND,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Bet the Jack AGIN THE Four,
YOU'RE gonna win right in the DOUGH.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' Diamonds made me cry,
I expect to gamble UNTIL I die.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' DI, Jack O' DIAMOND,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
------------------------------
PROPOSED FINAL VERSION
Jack O'Diamond Blues (2557-2) - Blind Lemon Jefferson
Chicago c. May 1926, Pm 12373
Spanish (G)
Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Jack O' Diamonds once in time,
He did rob a friend of mine.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Bet the Jack against the Queen,
It's gonna turn your money green.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
You can bet the Jack agin the Four,
You're gonna win right in the dough.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Jack O' Diamonds made me cry,
I expect to gamble until I die.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
NOTE
This is confusing in the sense that in the opening two lines of verses, he sings the singular DIAMOND/DIAMOND'S in accordance with the title (which suggests that it is not a misprint), but later uses the plural DIAMONDS.
----------------------------------------------------------
Jack O'Diamond Blues (2557-2) - Blind Lemon Jefferson
Chicago c. May 1926, Pm 12373
Spanish (G)
Jack O' Diamonds . . . Jack O' Diamonds . . .
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play . . .
Jack O' Diamonds once this time
He did rob a friend of mine
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play . . .
Jack O' Diamonds . . . Jack O' Diamonds . . .
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play . . .
Bet the Jack against the Queen
It's gonna turn your money green
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play
You bet the Jack again' the Four
You gonna win right in the dough/door/gold* [I'm hearing a 'g' sound]
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play . . .
Jack O' Diamonds . . . Jack O' Diamonds . . .
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play . . .
Jack O' Diamonds made me cry
I expect to gamble til I die
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play . . .
Jack O' Diamonds . . . Jack O' Diamonds . . .
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play . . .
Jack O' Diamonds . . . Jack O' Diamonds . . .
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play . . .
Jack O'Diamond Blues (2557-2)
Chicago c. May 1926, Pm 12373
Spanish (G)
Jack O' DI, Jack O' DIAMOND,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Jack O' Diamonds once IN time,
He did rob a friend of mine.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' DI, Jack O' DIAMOND,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Bet the Jack against the Queen,
It's gonna turn your money green.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
You CAN bet the Jack AGIN the Four,
YOU'RE gonna win right in the DOUGH(??).
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' DI, Jack O' DIAMOND,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Jack O' Diamonds made me cry,
I expect to gamble UNTIL I die.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.
Jack O' DI, Jack O' DIAMOND,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Jack O' DI, Jack O' DIAMOND,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
Edited November 30, 2008, to incorporate suggestions from Uncle Bud.
uncle bud:
Here are my comments on the two versions of Competition Bed Blues:
--- Quote from: dingwall on April 30, 2008, 10:15:46 AM ---
Competition Bed Blues(20749-2) - Blind Lemon JeffersonChicago c. July 1928, Pm 12728
C position pitched at B
Competition worrying me, I don't even know what competition mean
Competition worrying me, do you realize what competition means?
It pops up to every man's door and it worries him in his midnight dreams
I had a lovin brown I didn't never mean to do her wrong
I had a lovin brown and I never meaned to do her wrong
My partner's so full of competition he's got my gal and gone
I passed my partner's house, I stopped in to comb my head
I passed my partner's house, I stopped in to comb my head
Who should I find but my brown makin' up my partner's bed
Almost wrecked my mind, competition's going between me and my friend
Almost wrecked my mind, competition's going between me and my friend
It hurt me so, I thought we'd be pals 'til the end
It makes a man feel bad for his partner to turn him down
It makes a man feel bad for his partner to throw him down
Now it's so much competition I believe I'll leave this town
Competition Bed Blues
1.1 Competition WORRYIN' me, I don't even know what competition mean
1.2 Competition WORRIES(unsure. WORRYIN' again?)me, do---what competition MEAN?
1.3 It pops up AT every man's door and it worries him in his midnight DREAM
--- End quote ---
1.1 Agreed
1.2 I think it's WORRYIN' again, sung more as two syllables like "worr'in'". Agreed on the MEAN ending.
1.3 Agreed.
--- Quote ---2.1 I had a LOVIN' brown I didn't never mean to do her wrong
2.2 I had a LOVIN' brown I DIDN'T never MEAN to do her wrong
--- End quote ---
Agreed.
--- Quote ---4.1/2 Almost WRECKS my mind, competition's GOIN' between me and my friend
4.3 It HURTS me so, I thought we'd be pals TO the end
--- End quote ---
4.1/2 Very hard to hear, but I lean towards WRECKED. It sure sounds like WRECKED in the subsequent version of the song. Also in the subsequent version in verse 4.3 he sings "pals UNTIL the end". I can't really hear it either way here in this first version, but I'd lean towards 'TIL because of the later use of UNTIL.
--- Quote --- Competition Bed Blues(21132-1) - Blind Lemon JeffersonChicago c. January 1929, Pm 12728
Competition Bed Blues
1.1/2 Competition WORRYIN' me,---
1.3 Pops up AT every man's door and it worries him in his midnight DREAM
3.1 I FOUND my partner's house, I stopped in to comb my head
3.2 I STOPPED in my partner's house, stopped in to comb my head
--- End quote ---
3.1 I hear PASSED BY my partner's house
--- Quote ---4.1 It almost WRECKS my mind, competition's GOIN' between me and my friend
4.2 I SAY IT almost WRECKS my mind, competition's GOIN' between me and my friend
4.3 It HURTS me so I thought WE WAS GONNA be pals until the end
--- End quote ---
As per above, I lean towards WRECKED. Otherwise, agreed on the changes in this verse.
--- Quote ---5.2 IT JUST makes a man feel bad for his partner to turn him down
5.3 SAID(not 'Said) it's so much competition I believe I'll leave this town
--- End quote ---
5.2 I think it is "YES IT MAKES a man feel bad..." or "IT'S A -- MAKES A man feel bad" as an error to begin the line.
Not hearing a J for JUST at all.
uncle bud:
Comments on Corinna Blues (Take 1):
--- Quote from: dingwall on May 01, 2008, 10:45:40 AM ---Corinna Blues (take 1) - Blind Lemon Jefferson
Chicago c. April 1926, Pm 12367
C position and pitch
See see rider, see what you done done
Made me love you now your friend is come
Made me love you now your friend is come
Well you made me love you now your friend is come
Great tall engine and that small engineer
Carried the woman 'way lord and left me standing here
Carried the woman 'way lord and left me standing here
Carried the woman 'way lord and left me standing here
Well If I hadda listened unto my second mind
I don't believe I'da been here wringin' my hands and cryin'
I don't believe I'da been here wringin' my hands and cryin'
I don't believe I'da been here wringin' my hands and cryin'
Ain't no more potatoes, the frost have killed the vine
The Blues ain't nothin' but a good woman on your mind
The Blues ain't nothin' but a good woman on your mind
Well the blues ain't nothin' but a good woman on your mind
I done told you woman, I been telling your partner too
You're three times seven and you know what you want to do
You're three times seven and you know what you wanna do
Well you're three times seven, you know what you want to do
If you see Corinna tell her to hurry home
I ain't had no true love since Corinne been gone
I ain't had no true love since Corinne been gone
I ain't had no true love since Corinne been gone
--- End quote ---
--- Quote ---Corinna Blues (take 1)
1.3 YOU made me love you now your friend is come
--- End quote ---
Hard to hear whether it's a YOU or a pop in the record!
--- Quote ---2.1 THE great tall engine,(comma, no AND) A LITTLE small engineer
2.2/3 Carried the woman 'way LORD(capital) and left me STANDIN' here
2.4 Carried the woman 'way LORD(capital, comma, no AND)left me STANDIN' here
3.1 Well If(no capital) I hadda listened unto my second mind
3.2/3/4 I don't believe I'D HAVE been here wringin' my hands and cryin'
4.2/3 The Blues(no capital)ain't nothin' but a good woman on your mind
5.1 I done told you woman, I been TELLIN' your partner too
6.4 I ain't had no true love since CORINNE'S been gone
--- End quote ---
Agreed with all of the above.
uncle bud:
I looked for and perhaps missed comments from dingwall on the more commonly heard version of Corinna Blues (2544-2) -- this is a long thread! -- so I'm just reviewing the original transcription. I did offer some changes to that original before, so some of this will repeat, but I'm listening with better ears now.
Also, banjochris mentions a third take of Corinna Blues, but I don't know of one. Not listed in B&GR. Where is this take Chris? I just have 2544-2, found on the Document vol. 1, JSP disc 1, Yazoo Best of etc. And then 2544-1, which is take one, found on Document Too Late, Too Late Vol 11 (DOCD-5625).
So here's 2544-2. A few of the changes are merely typographical.
--- Quote ---CORINNA BLUES . . . . April, 1926, Chicago
('C' position & pitch)
See see rider, just see what you done done
Made me love you now your friend is come
Made me love you now your friend is come
Well you made me love you now your friend is come
Great tall engine & a little small engineer
Carried the woman 'way lord & left me standing here
Carried the woman 'way lord & left me standing here
Carried the woman 'way lord & left me standing here
If I hadda listened to my second mind
I don't believe I'da been here wringin' my hands & cryin'
I don't believe I'da been here wringin' my hands & cryin'
I don't believe I'da been here wringin' my hands & cryin'
Ain't no more potatos, the frost have killed the vine
Blues ain't nothin' but a good woman on your mind
Well the blues ain't nothin' but a good woman on your mind
Well the blues ain't nothin' but a good woman on your mind
I done told you woman, I been telling your partner too
You're three times seven & you know what you want to do
You're three times seven & you know what you want to do
Well you're three times seven, you know what you want to do
If you see Corinna tell her to hurry home
I ain't had no true love since Corinne been gone
I ain't had no true love since Corinne been gone
I ain't had no true love since Corinne been gone
--- End quote ---
1.1 See see rider, YOU see what you done done
1.2 YOU made me love you now your friend is come (the YOU is barely audible but I think it's there)
2.1 THE great tall engine AND a little small engineer
2.2/3/4 Carried the woman 'way LORD AND left me standing here (changes are just typographical)
3.2/3/4 I don't believe I'D HAVE been here wringin' my HAND AND cryin' (I hear only a singular HAND, though HANDS would make more sense. I offer as mere food for thought the possibility that this is RING IN MY HAND AND CRYIN'. If accepted, the change would also apply to Corinna Blues, take 1, 2544-1)
4.1 Ain't no more POTATOES, the frost have killed the vine
5.1 I done told you woman, I been TELLIN' your partner too
5.2 You're three times seven AND you know what you want to do
5.3 You're three times seven, (comma, no AND) you know what you want to do
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