Thanks everyone for the input. I believe all my questions have basically been answered. And thanks especially John for pointing out the Keys to the Highway section, what a wealth of information.
As to Norfolks concern about doing it in public, hey that's tame in some places that I play. The songs that concern me more are the "beating, shooting, et cetera my baby lyrics. Those phrases I often water down a bit.
This is a case of what I was talking about in the arrangements thread in general. There is no way that this in all the versions and Keep on Truckin' Mama by Jorma or any of the others who have done it are the same song in different clothes.
I've been working on "You've Got Something There" by Blind Boy Fuller. I've got the basics worked out -- seems to be playing in D, C position, capo at the 2nd fret. A really nice, driving raggy tune -- and that washboard is great.
But there are a few spots where the lyrics are nearly unintelligible.
Here is my first shot at it, with brackets at the trouble spots:
You've Got Something There Blind Boy Fuller
D (C position, capo at 2nd fret)
My gal went uptown 'cuz she lookin' well She fell down [?? ] like a country [?? ] She got something there She got something there Now I keep on telling you, I know she got something there
Play it a long time now
Break (I know she got something there) Yeah
Now if you go out stay all night Lookin' [] fuss and fight You got something there, yeah You got something there Now I keep on singing but I know you got something there
Yes, yes
Break
She's [built up a little] I say round She can look good long as you can look down She got something there, yeah She got something there Now don't you hear me telling you, I know she got something there Yeah she got something there
Break [Lord ?]
Get out now boys let me shut the door I got to truck just before I go She got something there She got something there Now I keep on telling you, I know she got something there
Wanna tell you boys [it's call you my pal??] A mighty bad thing to advertise your gal She got something there She got something there, yeah Now don't you hear me singing 'bout, I know she got something there Yeah she got something there
Break-Outro
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 12:18:21 PM by Johnm »
1.1 My gal went uptown THOUGHT SHE WAS lookin' well 2.2 Lookin' FOR EVERYBODY TO fuss and fight 3.1 She's built up A little and I say round 3.2 She can look UP long as you can look down Break: --- PLEASE THEMSELVES? but 'pickin' salads' is better? 5.1 Wanna tell you boys JUST 'CAUSE you my pal 5.2 IT'S a mighty bad SIGN to advertise your gal Yeah she got something there. YEAH.
« Last Edit: December 03, 2007, 05:46:13 AM by dingwall »
Thanks everyone. Boy, we got some keen ears here at WC. I've put together another version using the suggestions, what sound to me to be the most accurate (and make the most sense), and then ALTERNATE lines where I can't really judge between two plausible versions given.
Thanks.
You've Got Something There Blind Boy Fuller D (C position, capo at 2nd fret)
My gal went uptown thought she was lookin' well She fell down her mouth flew open like a country well She got something there She got something there Now I keep on telling you, I know she got something there
Play it a long time now
Break I know she got something there Yeah
Now if you go out stay all night Lookin' there 'bout a fuss and a fight ALT: Lookin' FOR EVERYBODY TO fuss and fight You got something there, yeah You got something there Now I keep on singing but I know you got something there
Yes, yes
Break
She's built up a little and I say round She can look UP long as you can look down She got something there, yeah She got something there Now don't you hear me telling you, I know she got something there Yeah she got something there
Break -- Lord, this world is a tough patch. Everybody feels sad. ALT: Lord, this world is a turnip patch. Everybody's pickin' salad.
Get out now boys let me shut the door I got to truck just before I go She got something there She got something there Now I keep on telling you, I know she got something there
Wanna tell you boys just 'cuz you my pal It's a mighty bad sign to advertise your gal She got something there She got something there, yeah Now don't you hear me singing 'bout, I know she got something there Yeah she got something there Yeah.
Break-Outro
« Last Edit: December 03, 2007, 05:00:13 AM by bluesmikedk »
The repeating opening lines in BBF's "I Crave My Pigmeat" sounds like
Now, pigmeat is taken today, today, something I do crave Now, pigmeat is taken today, today, something I do crave
First, is this what he's really singing? And second, if it is, what does it mean? I understand the "pigmeat" reference, but "is taken today, today" -- what does that mean.
Sorry if I'm being obtuse.
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 12:19:09 PM by Johnm »
Not obtuse at all, or I'm equally obtuse (certainly possible). I look forward to an answer myself, as I don't have a clue as to either question - and I've even played the song in front of humans (very rare for me).
Sure sounds like it to me, although in places it sounds like he's singing "pigmeats (plural) is taken...." It's spoken at 1:18.
What does it mean? He craves pigmeat. (Don't we all?) But today it is taken by someone else, so he can't get any. The result is the blues--and this song. Think about the meaning expressed in the various verses.
Added: This is a song composed of basic building blocks, so I'm not sure that there was any intention for it to function as a tight lyrical narrative. Probably just the opposite, but its a great tune nonetheless. I'm just taking the lyrics at face value and trying to make sense out of what I hear. Perhaps the modularity and sequencing is arbitrary and any attempt to go beyond this just muddies the waters even further. Love that washboard.
« Last Edit: January 28, 2008, 02:38:16 PM by Stuart »