Topic: Blind Alfred Reed Lyrics

[banjochris]

What, John, you mean you don't carry your Country Music Records and B&GR with you at all times?

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Yes, Chris, those books come in handy when you're standing in line at the DMV.  Blind Alfred Reed takes an admonitory tone for "Why Do You Bob Your Hair, Girls?", on which he is accompanied by Arville, playing out of G position in standard tuning.  I remember my sister MaryAnn used to perform this song back about 1964.  Here it is:



INTRO

Why do you bob your hair, girls?  You're doing mighty wrong
God says it is a glory, and you should wear it long
You spoil your lovely hair, girls, to keep yourself in style
Before you bob your hair, girls, just stop and think a while

SOLO

Why do you bob your hair, girls?  It is an awful shame
To rob the head God gave you and bear the flapper's name
You're taking off your covering, it is an awful sin
Don't never bob your hair, girls, short hair belongs to men

SOLO

Why do you bob your hair, girls?  It does not look so nice
It's just to keep in fashion, 'tis not the Lord's advice
And every time you bob it, you're breaking God's command
You can not bob your hair, girls, and reach the Glory Land

SOLO

Why do you bob your hair, girls?  It's not the thing to do
Just wear it, always wear it, and to the Lord be true
And when before the Judgement, you meet the Lord up there
He'll say, "Well done, for one thing, you never bobbed your hair."

SOLO

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Alfred Reed sang harmony with Arville singing the lead for "Beware", which Arville backed up out of D position in standard tuning.  I heard this song for the first time on the old New Lost City Ramblers "Songs for Children", a 10-inch LP.  Here is Alfred and Arville's performance of "Beware":



FIDDLE SOLO

We know young men are bold and free, beware, oh take care
They'll tell you they're friends, but they're false, you see, beware, oh take care

REFRAIN:  Beware, young ladies, they're foolin' you
Trust them not, they're foolin' you
Beware, young ladies, they're foolin' you
Beware, oh take care

FIDDLE SOLO

They smoke, they chew, they wear fine shoes, beware, oh take care
And in their pocket is a bottle of booze, beware, oh take care

REFRAIN:  Beware, young ladies, they're foolin' you
Trust them not, they're foolin' you
Beware, young ladies, they're foolin' you
Beware, oh take care

FIDDLE SOLO

Around their neck they wear a guard, beware, oh take care
And in their pocket is a deck of cards, beware, oh take care

REFRAIN:  Beware, young ladies, they're foolin' you
Trust them not, they're foolin' you
Beware, young ladies, they're foolin' you
Beware, oh take care

FIDDLE SOLO

They put their hand up to their heart, they sigh, oh they sigh
They say they love no one but you, they lie, oh they lie

REFRAIN:  Beware, young ladies, they're foolin' you
Trust them not, they're foolin' you
Beware, young ladies, they're foolin' you
Beware, oh take care

All best,
Johnm

[banjochris]

I think it might be "false" in line 2 rather than a repeat of "bold," John.
Chris

[Johnm]

It certainly is "false", Chris--thanks for the catch.  I will make the change.
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
For "Walking In the Way with Jesus", recorded at his first session, Alfred Reed was accompanied by Arthur Wyrick on guitar, working out of G position in standard tuning.  Here is the song:



INTRO

Come all you people around, listen what I have to say
I'll sing you a song about the heavenly throng, thank God, I'm on my way
I've travelled the paths of sin, and many a crime I've done
But I trust in God and through Christ's blood, thank God, the victory's won

REFRAIN:  Walking in the way with Jesus, feeling mighty happy now
When I'm tempted to do wrong, before the Lord I bow
I ask him for protection, as we begin to fight
And it is not long 'til the tempter's gone and everything's all right

I came to the feet of Jesus, determined to do right
I prayed and trusted, night and day, until I saw the light
I've started now for Heaven, I'm taking a different trail
I'm trusting now in the promises of God, for I know they can not fail

REFRAIN:  Walking in the way with Jesus, feeling mighty happy now
When I'm tempted to do wrong, before the Lord I bow
I ask him for protection, as we begin to fight
And it is not long 'til the tempter's gone and everything's all right

God leads me to the bible, where I can plainly see
That Jesus hung on Calvary's cross and died for you and me
I'm sorry now for sinners, for you I'm sick at heart
Why can't you decide for Christ today, and from him never part?

REFRAIN:  Walking in the way with Jesus, feeling mighty happy now
When I'm tempted to do wrong, before the Lord I bow
I ask him for protection, as we begin to fight
And it is not long 'til the tempter's gone and everything's all right

I gave up sin and drinking to lead a different life
And by God's grace I will hold out, 'til free from toil and strife
Then when Life's book is opened and not a thing is found
I'll gladly join the angel choir to seize the Promised Ground

REFRAIN:  Walking in the way with Jesus, feeling mighty happy now
When I'm tempted to do wrong, before the Lord I bow
I ask him for protection, as we begin to fight
And it is not long 'til the tempter's gone and everything's all right

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Alfred Reed was backed by Arville Reed, playing in G position in standard tuning, on "The Prayer of the Drunkard's Child".  Here is their performance:



I once was so happy when Father was home,
With Mother, dear brother and me
But he took to drinking and from us did roam
And left us so lonely, you see
REFRAIN: Oh Lord, send him back to his dear ones, I pray
How slow the sad moments go by
And Mama's dear life is fast faring away
Oh Jesus, please don't let her die

If Papa would give up his drink and come home
I would be so happy again
Our Saviour said He would not leave us alone
So this I will ask in his name
REFRAIN: Oh Lord, send him back to his dear ones, I pray
How slow the sad moments go by
And Mama's dear life is fast faring away
Oh Jesus, please don't let her die

Oh Lord, if you'd stop my poor Father from drink
My heart would be free from all pain
Since he has been gone there is one missing link
Oh Jesus, I know you're my friend
REFRAIN: Oh Lord, send him back to his dear ones, I pray
How slow the sad moments go by
And Mama's dear life is fast faring away
Oh Jesus, please don't let her die

Her father came back to his old self again
God answered her prayer that sad day
He deeply confessed and repented of sin
They heard his sweet voice, as they say,
"Dear ones, I've come back, I'm not drinking today.
Please don't be afraid, do not cry."
And then a sweet voice from the Lord seemed to say,
"Your Mama will live, she'll not die."

Edited 1/25 to pick up correction from banjochris

All best,
Johnm

[banjochris]

God answered her prayerlets  that day

I'm hearing "God answered her prayer that sad day," John --
Chris

[Johnm]

Well, now that you mention that and I've re-listened, I'm hearing that too, Chris, and it makes a great deal more sense than what I had--"prayerlets", sheesh!  I'm baffled by how I can be stumped by something that is not notably more difficult than all of the stuff around it.  I guess it just works out that way sometimes.  Thanks for the help, it's nice to have it end up right.

[Stuart]

New CD /  book(let) being released by D2D:

http://www.dust-digital.com/blind-alfred-reed/

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Alfred Reed recorded "You'll Miss Me", backed by his son Arville on guitar, at a session in New York City on December 4, 1929.  Arville played his accompaniment out of D position in standard tuning.  The father and son sing the entire song in close harmony, and it sure is pretty.  Here is their performance of "You'll Miss Me":



FIDDLE SOLO

I'm getting old and feeble now, my hair is turning gray
My limbs that once were nimble, now they're stiff and won't obey
My dancing days are over and my pleasures, they have flown
For goodness, not for gracious, love, would you miss me when I'm gone?

REFRAIN:  Oh when I'm gone, you'll miss me, when I'm gone (you'll miss me)
Some kind heart will miss me when I'm gone (when I'm gone)
When I'm gone, you'll miss me, when I'm gone, you'll miss me
Oh, some kind heart will miss me when I'm gone

What will you do without me, love, when the wintertime comes on?
Who'll throw their arms around you, love, as I have often done?
Who'll hug you, caress you, when I, oh love, have flown?
You'll know where to find me, love, but you'll miss me when I'm gone

REFRAIN:  Oh when I'm gone, you'll miss me, when I'm gone (you'll miss me)
Oh, some kind heart will miss me when I'm gone (when I'm gone)
When I'm gone, you'll miss me, when I'm gone, you'll miss me
Oh, some kind heart will miss me when I'm gone

Who'll fence the little yard in, who'll nurse the pretty flowers?
Who'll plant the little garden where we sat for many hours?
Our children, they're all married, and left us here alone, and
When I'm dead and buried, love, you'll miss me when I'm gone

REFRAIN:  Oh when I'm gone, you'll miss me, when I'm gone (you'll miss me)
Some kind heart will miss me when I'm gone (when I'm gone)
When I'm gone, you'll miss me, when I'm gone, you'll miss me
Oh, some kind heart will miss me when I'm gone

All best,
Johnm