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You know, I want to write a book about my life... I don't want to tell you too much until I've got a chance to have it printed. Apart from my music, my main interests are fishing and making bicycle rides - Tampa Red's excuse to Jacques Demetre and Marcel Chauvard for not wanting to talk to them in any great detail, October 1959

Author Topic: David McCarn Lyrics  (Read 4649 times)

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Offline Johnm

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David McCarn Lyrics
« on: March 24, 2011, 06:39:10 PM »
Hi all,
David McCarn was a cotton mill worker and part-time musician who made his first recordings for Victor in Memphis in 1930.  He was an excellent guitarist and played harmonica really well off of a rack.  Most especially, he was a wonderful songwriter with a gift for lyrics.  He could write complicated lyrics that scanned perfectly, were funny and that delivered social commentary at the same time.  He was in a class with people like Roger Miller and Chuck Berry as a lyricist, and that's some pretty tall corn.  David McCarn is one of the stars of the Old Hat re-issue, "Gastonia Gallop", which is named for one of his instrumentals.
"Cotton Mill Colic" was recorded at McCarn's first session.  He would re-use the melody twice more, for "Poor Man, Rich Man" and "Serves 'Em Fine", each time with a different set of lyrics.  For "Cotton Mill Colic", he backed himself out of G position in standard tuning, and did not use his harmonica.  Here is "Cotton Mill Colic":



   When you buy clothes on easy terms,
   The collectors treat you like measly worms
   "One dollar down", and then, Lord knows,
   If you don't make a payment they'll take your clothes
   When you go to bed, you can't sleep
   You owe so much at the end of the week
   No use to colic, they're all that way
   Peckin' at your door 'til they get your pay
   REFRAIN:  I'm a-gonna starve, everybody will
   'Cause you cain't make a livin' at a cotton mill

   When you go to work, you work like the devil
   At the end of the week, you're not on the level
   Payday comes, you pay your rent
   And when you get through you've not got a cent to buy
   Fatback meat, pinto beans
   Now and then you get turnip greens
   No use to colic, we're all that way
   Cain't get the money to move away
   REFRAIN:  I'm a-gonna starve, everybody will
   'Cause you cain't make a livin' at a cotton mill

   Twelve dollars a week is all we get
   How in the heck can we live on that?
   I've got a wife and fourteen kids
   We all have to sleep on two bedsteads
   Patches on my britches, holes in my hat
   Ain't had a shave since the wife got fat
   No use to colic, every day at noon
   The kids get to cryin' in a different tune
   REFRAIN:  I'm a-gonna starve, everybody will
   'Cause you cain't make a livin' at a cotton mill

   They run a few days and then they stand
   Just to keep down the working man
   We cain't make it, we never will
   As long as we stay at a lousy mill
   The poor are gettin' poorer, the rich are gettin' rich
   If I don't starve, I'm a son of a gun
   No use to colic, no use to rave
   We'll never rest 'til we're in our grave
   REFRAIN:  I'm a-gonna starve, nobody will
   'Cause you cain't make a livin' at a cotton mill.

All best,
Johnm
« Last Edit: May 27, 2020, 06:35:38 AM by Johnm »

Offline Johnm

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2011, 08:58:15 PM »
Hi all,
David McCarn recorded "Everyday Dirt" at his first session, in May of 1930, in Memphis.  For the song, McCarn accompanied himself expertly out of C position in standard tuning, showing an eccentric hot guitar style that brings to mind Sam Collins' raggy numbers in C, pretty darn wild.  The notes to "Gastonia Gallop", the re-issue CD on which McCarn's performance can be found, describe the song as a re-working of "Will The Weaver", an 18th century Anglo-American comic ballad, centered on cuckoldry.  Mike Seeger recorded a fine version of "Everyday Dirt" on "The New Lost City Ramblers, Volume 2", and Doc Watson also did an excellent version on the old "Watson Family" album on Folkways.  David McCarn did a great job on the vocal, for this one, singing it with a perfectly flat affect; he trusted the words to tell the story without him hamming it up, and he was right to trust them. Here is "Everyday Dirt":



   SOLO 

   John come home, all in the wonder
   Rattled at the door, just like thunder
   "Who is that?", Mr. Henley cried.
   "It is my husband, you must hide."

   She held the door 'til Old Man Henley
   Jumpin' and jerkin' went up the chimbley
   John come in, looked all around, but
   Not a soul could be found

   John set down by the fireside a-weepin'
   Up the chimbley he got to peepin',
   There he saw the poor old soul
   Settin' astraddle of the pot-rack pole

   SOLO

   John built on a rousing fire
   Just to suit his own desire
   His wife cried out with a free good will,
   "Don't do that, for the man you'll kill!"

   John reached up and down he fetched him
   Like a raccoon dog he catched him
   He blacked his eyes and then he did better
   He kicked him out upon his setter

   His wife, she crawled up and under the bed
   He pulled her out by the hair of the head
   He said, "When I'm gone, remember this!",
   And he kicked her where the kicking is best

   SOLO

   The law come down and John went up
   He didn't have the chance of a yaller pup
   They sent him down to the old chain gang
   For beatin' his wife, the dear little thing

   When he got home he went back to court
   His wife, she got him for non-support
   John didn't worry and John didn't cry
   But when he got close he socked her in the eye

   They took John back to the old town jail
   His wife, she come and paid his bail,
   "It won't be long 'til he'll be loose,
   I could tell you more about him but there ain't no use."

   SOLO

All best,
Johnm
   
 

   
« Last Edit: May 27, 2020, 06:37:46 AM by Johnm »

Offline Johnm

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2011, 10:03:31 PM »
Hi all,
David McCarn was back in the studio, around May of 1931, this time in a session with a fellow mill worker, Howard Long.  For "Serves 'Em Fine", the duo was billed as Dave and Howard.  The song has the same melody and chord progression as McCarn's "Cotton Mill Colic", and for the record of "Serves 'Em Fine", David McCarn played harmonica on a rack while accompanying himself out of G position in standard tuning.  Howard Long played kazoo in the instrumental interludes and sang harmony on the second and fourth verses.

This is one of my very favorite social commentary/protest songs.  It lacks the piety, simplicity and self-righteousness of many of the protest songs of the '60s.  It is funny and serious at the same time and adopts the very unusual lyric stance of saying, "We're every bit as much to blame for the plight we're in as anybody else.  We did it to ourselves."  It's balanced in it's viewpoint.  What's up with that?  Here is "Serves 'Em Fine":



   Now, people in the year nineteen and twenty
   The mills ran good, everybody had plenty
   Lots of people with a good free will
   Sold their homes and moved to a mill
   "We'll have lots of money", they said,
   But everyone got hell instead
   It was fun in the mountains, a-rollin' logs
   But now when the whistle blows we run like dogs
   REFRAIN:   It suits us people, serves us fine
   For thinking that a mill was a darn gold mine

   Now in the year nineteen and twenty-five
   The mills all stood but we're still alive
   People kept coming when the weather was fine
   Just like they were going to a big gold mine
   As time passed on, their money did too
   Everyone began to feel kind of blue
   "If we had any sense up in our dome
   We'd still be living in our mountain home."
   REFRAIN:  It suits us people and it serves us fine
   For thinking that a mill was a darn gold mine

   Now in the year nineteen and thirty
   They don't pay nothin' and they do us dirty
   When we do manage to get ahead
   It seems like all of the mills go dead
   We're always in the hole, gettin' deeper every day
   If we ever get even it'll be Judgement Day
   There's no use to colic, there's no use to shirk
   For there's more people loafing than there are at work
   REFRAIN:  It suits us people and it serves us fine
   For thinking that a mill was a darn gold mine

   Now all you mountaineers that's listened to me
   Take off your hats and shout "Whoopee!"
   I'm going back home to the Land of the Sky
   Where they all drink moonshine and never do die
   I'll take my dogs while the moon shine bright
   Hunt coon and possum the whole darn night
   If you can't get the money to move away
   It's too bad, folks, you'll have to stay
   REFRAIN:  It suits you people, serves you fine
   For thinking that a mill was a darn gold mine

All best,
Johnm
   
« Last Edit: May 27, 2020, 06:45:21 AM by Johnm »

Offline Johnm

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2011, 02:31:31 PM »
Hi all,
David McCarn recorded "Take Them For A Ride" at a session in Memphis on November 19, 1930.  For the song, he backed himself out of C position in standard tuning, sounding in E (capoed at the fourth fret).  This song has been alluded to a couple of times in the "Gastonia Gallop" review thread, by uncle bud and banjochris, with both of them commenting on McCarn's wild guitar playing on the song.  The solos he takes on the number really are crazy hot guitar (especially after the third verse), and they are all different from each other, making it possible, or even more likely, that he improvised them all.  McCarn's lyrics are droll, as per usual for him.  The whole impression communicated by the song is one of light-hearted nuttiness, which is just fine in my book.  Here is "Take Them For A Ride":



   I taken my girl for a ride one night,
   We rode in a Cadillac
   But I don't think she liked to ride
   'Cause she wanted to walk back
   And then we went again one night,
   Rode in a rattletrap
   We rode all night 'til the break of daylight
   And then I had to throw her out

   SOLO

   Now, all these Carolina girls
   They're easy on the hook
   But when you take them out you've got to
   Watch your pocketbook
   They used to stroll in daytime
   And chew their chewing gum
   But now they ride around at night and
   Drink ten-cent bay rum

   SOLO

   Now, some girls like to drive your car
   And some, they like to snooze
   But my girl likes to pet the best
   When she's full of booze
   Her Daddy loved her Mama
   Her Mama, she loved men
   Now her Mama's in the graveyard
   And her Daddy's in the pen

   SOLO

   Two girls and I went riding
   Their names were Jack and Jill
   I soon found out they loved to pet
   In a new Ford automobile
   Now, one of these were wonderful
   She danced and she could sing
   But the other one had a hump on 'er back
   From shakin' that doggone thing

   SOLO

All best,
Johnm
« Last Edit: May 27, 2020, 06:36:43 AM by Johnm »

Offline Johnm

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2011, 03:39:34 PM »
Hi all,
David McCarn recorded ""Bay Rum Blues" with Howard Long in the "Dave & Howard" duo format. For the song, McCarn backs himself out of C position in standard tuning and plays harp off of a rack. Howard Long's role is even more circumscribed than it was on "Serves 'Em Fine", for he just sings harmony on the first and last lines of the refrain, harmonizing with David McCarn in falsetto--you would never think "doo-doo-doo" could sound so cool.
The rhyme scheme and structure here is complicated even by David McCarn's standards.  Each verse is followed by a long refrain, the interior of which differs from one time to the next.  There are a couple of places I could use corroboration/correction of what I was able to hear.  I hope that any of you who have been impressed with David McCarn's lyrics will make an effort to hear his versions of these songs, for his renditions are every bit as strong as the songs are themselves.  Every song discussed thus far in the thread can be found on the Old Hat release, "Gastonia Gallop", available from County Sales.  Here is "Bay Rum Blues":



   I got the Bay Rum Blues, I've had them times before
   I got the Bay Rum Blues, I'm longing for the ten-cent store
   Any old time I can rake up a dime, I'm goin' back and get some more
   REFRAIN:  I got the Bay-ay Rum Blues
   And when I get in jail, there's no one to come and bring me a bottle of old bay rum
   There's no use trying, for I can't lose them long, tall, Bay Rum Blues
   Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo

   Now some call it bay rum and some call it bay hoss
   Some get a dozen bottles and some get it by the gross
   So when I drink a dime bottle, I foam at the mouth like a hoss
   REFRAIN:  I got the Bay-ay Rum Blues
   And when I get thirsty there's no one to thank, for giving me a dime so I can drink
   There's no use trying, for I can't lose them long, tall, slim-neck Bay Rum Blues
   Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo

   For when you can't get liquor and you can't get no gin
   Don't get disgusted, for you have a chance to win
   Get a long, goose-necked bottle, and you'll never be sober again
   REFRAIN:  I got the Bay-ay Rum Blues
   Now some use bay rum just for a tonic, but take it from me, it's best for your stomach
   There's no use trying, for I can't lose them long, tall, slim-neck Bay Rum Blues
   Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo

   Now, Uncle Sam has taken our liquor away from us
   When we make home brew, he raises an awful fuss
   We're all afraid of the ginger, but we drink bay rum or bust
   REFRAIN:  We got the Bay-ay Rum Blues
   There's no use stopping us anymore, so you'd better look out, Mr. 10-Cent Store
   There's no use trying, for I can't lose them long, tall, good ol' goose-necked Bay Rum Blues
   Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo

Edited 4/1 to pick up corrections from uncle bud

All best,
Johnm
   
   
   
« Last Edit: May 27, 2020, 06:44:04 AM by Johnm »

Offline Gumbo

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2011, 03:50:02 PM »
Quote
   We're all afraid of the ginger, but we drink bay rum or bust

there's another Jake leg reference ...

Offline uncle bud

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2011, 08:34:02 AM »
In that second verse of Bay Rum Blues, I hear "Some get a DOZEN BOTTLES and some get it by the GROSS". I see a similar take at mudcat.org http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=95795 where they also have "Some call it Bay Rum and some call it Bay HOSS". Which sounds about right to me though I haven't found a result for Bay Hoss yet.

Offline Johnm

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2011, 09:15:35 AM »
Thanks very much for the help, uncle bud.  Re-listening made it clear that "dozen bottles" and "by the gross" are dead on the money.
You're right, too, Gumbo, that is sure enough another reference to jake in there.
All best,
Johnm

Offline uncle bud

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2011, 11:50:09 AM »
I think it's also "I foam at the mouth like a HORSE", which, pronounced more like HOSS, makes the rhyme and makes sense as an image.

What a great song. McCarn is a blast and has the whole package: great singing, guitar, rack harp, songwriting. The Clarence Ashley/Gwen Foster tune of the same name (but a different song) is pretty great too, while we're on the subject of Bay Rum.

Offline Johnm

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2011, 09:37:30 PM »
I think you're right about that "hoss", uncle bud.  I don't think hogs are notable for foaming at the mouth under most circumstances.  I will make the change.
All best,
Johnm

Offline Johnm

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #10 on: April 03, 2011, 01:10:41 PM »
Hi all,
On November 19, 1930, David McCarn recorded "Poor Man, Rich Man", a follow-up to "Cotton Mill Colic" that shared it's melody and accompaniment with that song.  I get the feeling that David McCarn could have continued to come up with new lyrics in this mold as long as he was moved to do so.  It's amazing how timely much of what he's saying seems.  This is the last of the McCarn songs included on "Gastonia Gallop".  I hope to get an opportunity to hear his other recordings.  Here is "Rich Man, Poor Man":



   Let me tell you people something that's true
   When you work in a mill they tell you what you have to do
   You get up every morning before daylight
   You labor all day until it gets night
   You work a few days, get pale in the face
   From standing so long in the same darn place
   Along comes a boss, hard as he can tear
   He wants you to think he's a grizzly bear
   REFRAIN:  Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
   So let the poor man live and the rich man bust

   When you go to dinner, you have to run
   Or they'll blow the whistle before you're done
   Payday comes, you won't have a penny
   When you pay your bills, 'cause you got so many
   Sometimes you hear a racket like a peckerwoods
   But it's only fellers tryin' to sell their goods
   The merchants there, all just about gray
   From studyin' how to get the poor man's pay
   REFRAIN:  Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
   So let the poor man live and the rich man bust

   Now, some people run the mill man down
   But the cotton mill people make the world go 'round
   They take a little drink to have a little fun
   Whenever they can manage to rake up the mon'
   Now, I left the mountains when I was a strip
   I never will forget that awful trip
   I walked all the way behind a apple wagon
   When I got to town the seat of my pants was a-draggin'
   REFRAIN:  Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
   So let the poor man live and the rich man bust

   When wintertime comes there's hell to pay
   When you see the boss, you'll have to say,
   "I want a load of wood, a ton of coal,
   Take a dollar out a week, or I'll go in the hole."
   You have to buy your groceries at some chain store
   'Cause you can't afford to pay any more
   If you don't starve I'm a son of a gun
   'Cause you can't buy beans without any mon'
   REFRAIN:  Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
   So let the poor man live and the rich man bust

All best,
Johnm
   

   
   
   
« Last Edit: May 27, 2020, 06:38:57 AM by Johnm »

Offline banjochris

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2011, 08:08:21 PM »
BTW all that he recorded that isn't on "Gastonia Gallop" is:

Hobo Life
The Bashful Bachelor
Mexican Rag (unissued, but it's Victor, so it may be around)
My Bone's Gonna Rise Again [!!!]
Fancy Nancy (Every Day Dirt No. 2)

Those last two sound like must-hears.
Chris

Offline Johnm

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2011, 10:39:51 PM »
Hi Chris,
Those do sound like winners.  One thing I really like about the McCarn songs I've heard thus far is no parlor song, sentimental material.
All best,
Johnm

Offline uncle bud

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #13 on: April 04, 2011, 05:32:50 AM »
You can listen to The Bashful Bachelor and Hobo's Life online at Honking Duck.

My guess is that My Bone's Gonna Rise Again should not have an apostrophe and that it's Bones.  :D

Offline Gumbo

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Re: David McCarn Lyrics
« Reply #14 on: April 04, 2011, 10:24:43 AM »
you can hear Cotton Mill Colic and Poor Man, Rich man at juneberry

 


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