In "State of Tennessee Blues" by the Memphis Jug Band (a duet between Will Shade and his wife Jennie Mae Clayton), Shade sings "I got a new way of spelling the state of Tennessee" and then says something like, "double-E-double-R-double-E-double-N-O-C."
EEREENOC? What the heck is that supposed to mean?
I've heard this verse in other songs with slightly different "spellings," but they don't make sense either:
I'm trying to place a Furry Lewis song (probably post-war) where he uses this conceit, I think it was "new way of spelling Memphis Tennessee, double-M, double-X, Y,Z".
I also rings a bell in songs from some other Memphis based players but I'm getting old and forgetful.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2009, 10:50:55 AM by blueshome »