Topic: Smoky Babe Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Smoky Babe played "I'm Goin' Away Baby", which is on the "Way Back In The Country Blues" CD on Arhoolie out of the same EADF#BE tuning (but tuned down) that he used for "If I Had Listened To What My Mama Say", also on that CD. His playing on this track is inspired; so much variety, so many original sounds that still speak in the musical language of the blues. Here is "I'm Goin' Away Baby":



INTRO

Well, I'm goin' away, baby, just to, wear you off my mind
Well, I'm goin' away, baby, just to, wear you off my mind
Well, you a sweet little woman, but you, don't pay me no mind

Well now, that's all right, baby, that's all right for you
Well now, that's all (guitar), that's all right for you
Well now, that's all right, baby, any old way you do

I woke up this morning, same thing on my mind
I woke up this (guitar), same thing on my mind
Well, you keep me worried, bothered all the time

I said, goodbye, baby, if I, don't see you no more
I said, goodbye (guitar), don't see you no more
Well now, way that you treat me gon', walk back in your door

All best,
Johnm
   

[Johnm]

Hi all,
In the course of doing the last post I found that ScottN had posted transcriptions, or starts of transcriptions to a number of Smoky Babe's songs that never got completed, and I discovered additionally that when I was adding youtube links to postings in the Lyrics Board a couple of years ago, I had somehow missed this thread altogether. So, I went back and added youtube links to all of the previous posts for which youtube links had not yet been added. I'll see if I can finish off the transcriptions that Scott started. I think Smoky Babe really merits the attention.
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Smoky Babe did a terrific version of "Terraplane Blues" on his Arhoolie "Way Back In The Country Blues". There's an odd sort of sound anomaly on the track--it's almost as though Dr. Harry Oster recorded over a bit of tape that had been recorded on before and some print-through of the original track remained. You can hear Smoky Babe well enough, though. Here is "Terraplane Blues":



INTRO

Well, I feel so lonesome, boys, you can hear me when I moan
Well, I feel so lonesome won't you hear me when I moan
Been drivin' my Terraplane, heifer, babe, for you since I been gone?

I flash your light, mama, babe, your horn won't even blow
I flash your light, mama, babe, your horn won't even blow
Well now, you got a loose connection, babe, you can find way down below

Mmm, highway man, hollerin' please don't block the road
Hmmm, highway man, hollerin' please don't block the road
Well, I made a cool one hundred, you know I'm booked and I got to go

Deep down connection, babe, I'll tangle with your doggone wires
Mmm, deep down connection, babe, I'm gonna tangle with them doggone wires
Say I mash down on your spark plug, and your car wouldn't even fire

CODA

All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

Thanks for this, John. Never heard this Arhoolie record, seems like a good one.
I think a typo in 1.3.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Smoky Babe's recording of "I'm Broke And I'm Hungry" appears on the Arhoolie "Louisiana Blues" album, in which he splits the program with Herman E Johnson. Smoky Babe played the song out of Spanish tuning, as was most often the case with him. Here is "I'm Broke And I'm Hungry":



Well, I'm broke and I'm hungry, ragged and I'm dirty, too
Well, I'm broke and I'm hungry, ragged and I'm dirty, too
Well, if I clean up for you, mama, can I stay all night with you?

Well now, here I am, standin' in front of your door
Well now, here I am, standin' in front in your door
Well, I'll leave so early in the mornin', 'til your real man never know

SOLO

Well now, I love you, baby, love you for myself
Well, I love (guitar), love you for myself
Well, I love you now, little woman, I want nobody (guitar)

If I can't come in let me, sit down in front of your door
If I can't come in let me, sit down in front of your door
Well, I'll leave so early in the mornin 'til your, real man never know

SOLO

All best,
Johnm