Topic: Cannon's Jug Stompers Lyrics

[Rivers]

but then (well before Germaine Greer) a woman could be called pigmeat - and it was meant as an compliment!

And women could also refer to men as 'pigmeat', see Memphis Minnie's Pigmeat On The Line. Which reinforces your argument that it was a compliment, not a slur.

And welcome to WC, Sterno.

[Cranworth C. Fatt]

Just joined.   Brilliant stuff on here!

I have been on a Cannon's binge lately.  Apologies if it is uncool to post on such an old thread in this manner. On Viola Lee Blues,

The judge he pleaded, clerk he wrote it
Clerk he wrote it down indeed-y
The judge he pleaded, the clerk he wrote it down
If you miss jail sentence, you must be Nashville bound

I think "sentence" is "send up".

[Greywolf]

Just joined.   Brilliant stuff on here!

I have been on a Cannon's binge lately.  Apologies if it is uncool to post on such an old thread in this manner. On Viola Lee Blues,

The judge he pleaded, clerk he wrote it
Clerk he wrote it down indeed-y
The judge he pleaded, the clerk he wrote it down
If you miss jail sentence, you must be Nashville bound

I think "sentence" is "send up".

It seems to me to be "The judge decreed it". It makes better sense.

Actually I differ from you a lot on this:

The judge decreed it; fact, he wrote it.
Fact, he wrote it down indeed, Lawd.
The judge decreed it; fact, he wrote it down.
If you miss jail, sinners, you must be Nashville bound.

I'd accept "sentence" for "sinners".

Whether I'm right, only Gus and Noah would know!!

[Lastfirstface]

Not hearing that at all, myself. "Clerk" is pretty clear on the recording. I think it was pretty much correct to what I'm hearing when it was written out earlier in the thread.

[Johnm]

Yup, it's "clerk".
All best,
Johnm

[JohnV]

Another new member here.

I'm hearing:
The Judge he plead it, clerk he wrote it
Clerk he wrote it, down indeedy
The Judge he plead it, the clerk he wrote it down
If you miss jail sinner, you must be Nashville bound.

[waxwing]

In both "pleaded" and "sen'en' " ("sentence", but represented as pronounced, skipping the "t" as was common in the vernacular, and avoiding the sibilance at the end, something singers often do) it seems that he is pronouncing an "eh" sound not the short "i" sound. You can compare between "pleaded" and "wrote it" pretty easily. Subtle but clearly different to my ears. Also the nasal "n" at the end of "sen'en' " is definitely not an "r" to my ears. And again, the vowels are "eh" not "i'.

Try listening to Yazoo's The Best of Cannon's Jug Stompers. Perls seems to have had access to a particularly clean copy and Nevins (I think) did a great job of bringing out the vocal. (and the jug)

I'd go with:

The judge he pleaded, clerk he wrote it
Clerk he wrote it, down indeedy
The judge he pleaded, the clerk he wrote it down
If you miss jail sen'en'*, you must be Nashville bound

*sentence


If not explained elsewhere, the import of the line is that jail, where one might await trial or serve a misdemeanor, is local. Family can visit and bring food, and one works pickin' cotton for the county. Nashville is the state penitentiary, where felonies are served. Too far for family to travel, a somewhat rougher crowd, and one picks cotton, clears road or breaks rock for the state. This brings up the common line about being sentenced to (or "my fine") "11-29", which is 11 months and 29 days, a day less than a year. In some states a year or more, you go to the state pen, 11-29 you stay at the county jail. All has to do with who you pick cotton for.

Wax

[Lastfirstface]

I agree with "sentence", just like you can hear more clearly on Joliet Bound.

[Gumbo]

Here's the Banjo Joe/Blind Blake version of Madison Street Rag that unclebud mentioned earlier.


The first time I was in Memphis,
I was down on Madison Street
I met a old friend of mine.

He said, "What's that, boy, you got there in that suitcase?"
I told him, "It's an old banjo."
He say, "Can you play it?"
I said "Sure I can play it!"
He said, "Can you play the Madison Street Rag?"
I said, "I'll play it if you'll whistle it."
He says, "Well I'll whistle it"
I say, "Well, whistle it then."

Here he goes.
(whistling solo)

He said, "Boy you sure can play that thing."
He said, "Come on, let's go down here on corner of Fourth and Madison. Have a ball"
Said "I don't care if I do."

Here we was down on Madison, and Fourth.

Aw Shucks

Pretty soon here come the policeman. This the way this boy left me.

I said, "Play it boy, play it."
Aw shucks.

Shout children, shout!

[Gerry Clarke]

In relation to the "Last Chance Blues" lyrics featured on pages 4 and 5, I have always heard the last line of the third verse as: "I think I'll start you out to workin', that's just what I should".  I believe this fits well with the prevailing sentiments of the put-upon husband throughout the tune - it is one of my favorite blues (both recordings). 

Gerry

[Suzy T]

Preparing to teach Viola Lee Blues, I went back to listen and write out the lyrics. Somehow, the recording didn't sound quite like I remembered it.  Then, to my great surprise, there was another verse I had never heard before!  I was listening to an alternate take. Perhaps you can help me with the words to the last verse?  The alternate take omits the "I wrote a letter" verse and has this one instead.  Recording is attached. What a fantastic band!

NOTE:  Edited to incorporate John Miller's suggestions

And, I hope everyone is staying healthy during this shelter-in-place time.  So strange.  Music is a wonderful way to go someplace else without leaving the house.

Viola Lee Blues – Gus Cannon

The judge he pleaded, clerk he wrote it
Clerk he wrote it, down indeedy
The judge he pleaded, the clerk he wrote it
 Down
If you miss jail sentence, you must be Nashville bound

Some got 6 months, some got one solid
Some got one solid, year indeedy
Some got 6 months, some got one solid year
But me and my buddy, both got lifetime here

I wrote a letter, mailed in in the
Mailed in the, air indeed lord
I wrote a letter, I mailed it the air
You may know by that I’ve, got a friend somewhere

Fix my supper mama, let me go to
Let me go to, bed indeed lord
Fix my supper,  let me go to bed
I been drinkin' white lightnin', it's gone to my head

[Johnm]

Hi Suzy,
I think he is singing:

   FIX MY SUPPER, MAMA, let me go to
   Let me go to bed indeed, Lord,
   FIX MY SUPPER, let me go to bed
   I been drinkin' white lightnin', it's gone to my head

Yup, staying careful and well.  Hope we'll all keep that up.
All best,
Johnm

[Stuart]

Hi Suzy:

I hear "Nashboro" as well, although he sings Nashville on the other take. Everything else seems correct to me.

Do you have the Herwin LP liner notes? If not, let me know and I'll send you a scan.

 

[Suzy T]

I do not have the Herwin liner notes and I'd love to.  Can you email them to me?  suzy@ericandsuzy.com

[Suzy T]

Yes now that you point it out, it's completely obvious that those are the words.  John Miller you have got the good ears!!