Topic: Walter Davis Lyrics

[Johnm]

Great to hear from you, Frank! If you and Chris think he's playing guitar, that's good enough for me.

[Blues Vintage]

Hi Frank, also great to hear from you. I'll edit that in the YouTube video.


Maybe two minor suggestions for "Friendless";

1.3 "baby" instead of "babe"

2.1 and 2.2 starts with "Lord"

[Johnm]

Thanks for the help, Blues Vintage, I agree with the 2.1 and 2.2 corrections and have made those changes. I believe 1.3 was correct as I had it.

[banjochris]

Great to hear from you, Frank! If you and Chris think he's playing guitar, that's good enough for me.

So nice to see a post from you, Frank! Hope all is well!
Chris

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Walter Davis recorded "Just Thinking" at a session in Chicago on July 12, 1940, accompanying himself on piano in A flat. This track really is beautiful to me--it seems so inward and private--it feels like an act of trust on Walter Davis' part to share these musings. Yet he must have connected with his audience at the time, for he recorded many, many titles. Perhaps his quiet thoughtfulness spoke to a shared experience that the more commonly-encountered exuberant self-celebrating blues lyrics did not. Here is "Just Thinking": 



INTRO

I was just setting down, thinking about an old friend I used to have
I was just setting down, thinking about an old friend I used to have
Lord, she ain't here now she's way out in the East somewhere

I heard she was in Toledo, and I heard she was in Buffalo
I heard she was in Toledo, I heard she was in Buffalo
But there is one thing--I can't see her smilin' face no more

I believe I will go down in the lowland, out on our playground
I believe I will go down in the lowland, walk out on our old playground
That's the last place I saw her, one evening just before sundown

Nobody know, nobody knows but me
Nobody knows, baby, nobody knows but me
Nobody know, mama, just how we used to be

CODA

Edited 1/30/25 to pick up corrections from Blues Vintage

All best,
Johnm


 

[Blues Vintage]

Introspective blues piano

Suggestions;

2.2 I don't hear the "and"

3.3 typo extra "B" (before)

[Johnm]

Thanks for the catches, Blues Vintage. I have made those changes.