Topic: Little Brother Montgomery Lyrics

[Blues Vintage]

Leaving Town Blues


A heartbreaking blues from Montgomery’s mammoth St. Charles Hotel session. 23 (!) sides cut in one day.


Little Brother Montgomery – Vocals, Piano

October 16, 1936
New Orleans, Louisiana

Piano in Bb





Now I'm leaving town baby, ‘cause you know you treats me wrong
And I'm leaving town baby, ‘cause you know you treat me wrong
You go out at night and get full of bad whiskey, and stay out the whole night long

And I tried everything, mama in this world to get along with you
And I tried everything, in this world to get along with you
Now and you know I love you, that's why you treat me like the way you do

And I'm going, I'm going, mama and your crying won't make me stay
And I'm going, I'm going, and your crying won't make me stay
And the more you cry mama, the farther that you drive me away

SOLO

Now when I leave this town mama you can pin crepe, on my door
When I leave this time mama, you can pin crepe on my door
And I won't be dead, baby but I ain't coming, here no more

[Blues Vintage]

I want to suggest some changes in Frisco Hi-Ball Blues if I may, Chris. A transcription you did 4 years ago.

Old Bill, Old Bill's on the mountain, and he's cravin' on the Santa Fe,
Old Bill's on the mountain, cravin' on the Santa Fe,
And I'm goin' to the river, and catch the longest train I see.


Oakdale, Oakdale's on the mountain, and it's Craven on the Santa Fe,
Oakdale's on the mountain, Craven on the Santa Fe,
And I'm goin to DeRidder, and catch the longest train I see.


Oakdale, Cravens, and DeRidder are places/regions in Louisiana where Montgomery was from.
I'm not sure on Cravens. Pronounced Craven.
I got this information from "Deep South piano: the story of Little Brother Montgomery".

[banjochris]

Thanks for that, Harry, I made the fixes – I have that book, too – might be time to read it again! John, I'm assuming this is in Weeniepedia; it'd be worth fixing that verse.
Chris

[Johnm]

It is in Weeniepedia, Chris, and I will make the fixes. Thanks to Harry and you for ferreting that out.

[dj]

Nice work, Harry.  I have that book too, but haven't looked at the lyrics in years.

One minor correction, The lyric should read "Oakdale's on the Mountain..", with a capital M.  Oakdale was founded on the line of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad, which was locally known as "the Mountain".  Cravens was indeed on the Santa Fe.  And, since I know you're curious, DeRidder was on the Pittsburgh & Gulf Railroad, which was later renamed to  the Kansas City Southern.

By the way, Louisiana does have a "mountain", of sorts.  Driskill Mountain (or Mount Driskill) is the highest point in Louisiana, with an elevation of 535 feet (163 m).  It's in the northern part of the state, quite a way from Oakdale, Cravens, and DeRidder.

[Blues Vintage]

Thanks for the additional info, dj.

The book also has the lyrics for "No Special Rider Blues" (first song in this thread).
With the famous line here on Weenie Campbell,

"Gonna eat my breakfast, in sweet Johannesburg"

Written down in the book as "Gonna eat my breakfast, and sneak to Hattiesburg"

It makes more sense that Montgomery would name a town close by rather than one in California or South-Africa.
I find it difficult to hear. What y'all think?

[Johnm]

Hi Harry,
Thanks for bringing that up. I re-listened, and I do think it is "Hattiesburg", but I think the last line in that verse is

   Gonna eat my breakfast in SWEET OLD Hattiesburg.

I have made the change.

All best,
Johnm

[banjochris]

Thanks dj for the railroad info!
Chris

[Blues Vintage]

Sorry to start this again but I don't hear   "Gonna eat my breakfast in sweet old Hattiesburg".

It's something like this I believe, "Gonna eat my breakfast, and sneak/sling to Hattiesburg".


But I recorded the song myself already with "Johannesburg" (attachment). I might just keep it like this.

[Johnm]

Hi Harry,
Re-listening, I agree with you, especially the "and" and "to" book-ending the verb in the middle, which sounds more like "sling" than "sneak" to me. I'll make the change in Weeniepedia. Thanks!
all best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

The First Time I Met You


Little Brother Montgomery – Vocals, Piano

October 16, 1936
New Orleans, Louisiana

Piano in F





INTRO

The first time I met the blues, mama, they came walking through the wood
The first time I met the blues, baby, they came walking through the wood
They stopped at my house first, mama, and done me all the harm they could

Now, the blues got at me, Lord, and run me from tree to tree
Now, the blues got at me, and run me from tree to tree
You should have heard me beggin’, “Mr. Blues don't murder me”

Good morning, blues, what are you doin’ here so soon
Good morning, blues, what are you doin’ here so soon
You be’s with me in the mornin’, Lord, and every night and noon

PIANO SOLO

The blues came down the alley, mama, and stopped right at my door
The blues came down the alley, and stopped right at my door
They give me more hard luck and trouble, than I ever had before

[Blues Vintage]

Stefan Wirz pointed out that the song above was released in 1936 on Bluebird B6766 under the wrong title "First Time I Met You".
The correct title is "The First Time I Met The Blues".

[Blues Vintage]

A. & V. Railroad Blues


Little Brother Montgomery – Vocals, Piano

October 16, 1936
New Orleans, Louisiana

Piano in Bb





INTRO

Get your water here, baby, and coal where I got mine
Get your water here, baby, coal where I got mine
Get your water here, mama, and coal in the 'Bama mine

Now, when you wanna, want to ride easy, now, baby, catch the A. and V.
Now, when you wanna ride easy, why not catch the A. and V.
That’s where you pay for your ridin’ and, Lord, get your ridin’ free

Now, I hate, hate to hear, that A. & V. whistle when she blows
And I hate to hear, that A. & V. whistle when it blows
It puts me on a wander, mama, makes me wanna go

SOLO

Now, I thought I, thought I heard, that A. & V. whistle when she blowed
And I thought I heard, that A. & V. whistle when she blowed
Now, it makes me lonesome, and makes me wanna go

[banjochris]

Pretty sure it's the 'Bama mine in that first verse, short for Alabama of course –
Chris

[Blues Vintage]

Thanks, Chris