Topic: SOTM June 19th - Red Cross Store

[Old Man Ned]

Harriet: These posters are amazing.  But I was a bit spooked by the photo of the masks of soldiers mutilated faces.  Why would somebody do that?  I can only think to aid plastic surgery but am not even sure if they had that capability at that time.

[harriet]

Ned: Those are restorative masks for disfigured soldiers according to the redcross blog

http://redcrosschat.org/2014/10/02/from-the-archives-restorative-face-masks-for-wwi-soldiers/#sthash.vrRUfO4o.dpbs

[One-Eyed Ross]

I think BanjoChris might have hit the nail on the head with the levee work during the Great Flood.  The forced labor work for blacks, and then leaving many of their families to the vagaries of nature while working to save white families might, indeed, have lead to a great deal of resentment....

[Johnm]

The story of the restorative masks and the accompanying photos are remarkable, Harriet.  Thanks so much for tracking that down.  I had never heard of the procedure before.
All best,
Johnm

[Old Man Ned]

Yeah, thanks Harriet.  I was afraid I might be veering off topic with my question but it's a great article.  Thanks again.

[harriet]

I learned from it as well, so thanks. I do look at the Leadbelly song differently as a result.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Here are the lyrics for Walter Davis' "Red Cross Blues, Part 2", which Prof Scratchy included in the first post of the thread.  One of the things that gives Walter Davis' chords for the song such an eerie tinge is that for his IV chord, he plays a IVmMaj7.  The way he does it, he plays a IV minor chord but voices the major III note of the scale on top, so it really sings out.  Since he immediately previously voiced his I chord with the same III note on top, there is a profound color shift when he goes to the IV chord, despite (or because) of the two voicings sharing that major III note on top.
The NRA that Walter Davis refers to is the National Recovery Act, one of the early New Deal measures implemented by FDR.  I'd appreciate help with the very end of the last verse.  Walter Davis really swallows the lyrics and I'm just guessing.  Maybe one of you can hear what he sings there.

The Red Cross is helping people, each and every day
The Red Cross is helping people, each and every day
But the rentman has put me out, and I ain't got no place to stay

I believe to myself, I am just a bad luck man
I believe to myself, I am just a bad luck man
The Red Cross is helping everybody, and don't give me a helping hand

I believe I'll go back South, tell me cotton will be good price next year
I believe I'll go back South, tell me cotton will be good price next year
I might as well be goin', because I ain't doin' no good 'round here

NRA is warning people that things will break someday
NRA is warning people that things will break someday
And it will be all right, everybody will have a place to stay

I'm goin' back to the country, and raise everything I need
I'm goin' back to the country, and raise everything I need
If I don't make nothin' off of my cotton, the boss will pay me out for seed

Edited 6/24 to pick up correction from Lastfirstface

All best,
Johnm

[Prof Scratchy]

How about: "If I don't make nothing off of my cotton, peoples will take me out to eat"?

[Johnm]

Ha ha!  I like the concept, Prof, but I'm dubious as to whether Walter Davis relied on the kindness of strangers that much!
All best,
Johnm

[Prof Scratchy]

We'll have to wait for banjochris to chime in!

[Johnm]

It also could be "my seed" for the last two words of the line.
All best,
Johnm

[Lastfirstface]

He really trails off on that line. I'm guessing its "pay me out for seed" and refers to some part of a tenant farming or sharecropping agreement. It seems like some of those agreements involved the farmer paying for materials and tools while still only getting a cut of the cotton profit from the landowner, so maybe he's saying that even if the he makes no real profit from his cut, he'll get enough to pay him back for the money he put into seeding and starting the crop.

[Johnm]

I think you're right, Lastfirstface, and will go with that.  It's what I was trying to get at in my second suggestion, but your wording is better.  I'll make the change.  Thanks!
All best,
Johnm

[banjochris]

We'll have to wait for banjochris to chime in!

I think John and Lastfirstface had it right. I was listening to it at work and couldn't make it out too well myself!

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Here is a version of "New Red Cross Blues" by Frank "Springback" James on piano with George Curry, a new name to me, on guitar.



All best,
Johnm