Topic: Joe Dean Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Joe Dean was a St. Louis pianist who only recorded a couple of titles.  I first heard his "I'm So Glad I'm Twenty-One Years Old Today" on an old Yazoo piano blues anthology, "Barrelhouse Blues".  He plays the song with what I think of as a "die happy" groove.  I remember in Henry Townsend's autobiography he said that every time he saw Joe, Joe looked like he had recently been beaten up, so he may have lived a rough life.  Here is his performance:



INTRO

I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
Lord, I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
Lord, I'm so glad my baby can't treat me that-a-way

Oh babe, what you want poor me to do?
Aw babe, what you want poor me to do?
Drive a coal wagon, babe, give all my money to you?

SOLO

That's why I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
That's why I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
Lord, I'm so glad my baby can't treat me that-a-way

Oh babe, don't play me for no fool
Aw babe, don't play me for no fool
Lord, I ain't no plumber and I ain't nobody's tool

SOLO

That's why I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
That's why I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
Lord, I'm so glad my baby can't treat me that-a-way

Lord, sail up the river, river to the deep blue sea
I'm sailin' through the river, river to the deep blue sea
Lord, your monkey words, babe, don't take no effect on me

SOLO

That's why I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
That's why I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
Lord, I'm so glad my baby can't treat me that-a-way

Aw babe, don't make no fool of me
Aw babe, don't make no fool of me
Lord, I'm three times seven, babe, why can't you see?

That's why I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
That's why I'm so glad I'm twenty-one years old today
Lord, I'm three times seven and I'm going to have my way

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Another solo track by Joe Dean (and perhaps the only other solo track by him) is "Mexico Bound Blues".  The piece doesn't have the frantic excitement of "I'm So Glad That I'm Twenty-One Years Old Today", but it features some lovely relaxed playing and singing.   Here it is:



INTRO

Lord, I'm going to Mexico, babe, and it won't be long
Lord, I'm going to Mexico, babe, and it won't be long
Lord, I'll disappear, like a bird along about dawn

Lord, I'm going to tell all the boys and girls I know
Lord, I'm going to tell all the boys and girls I know
That when I leave, I'm bound for Mexico

When I leave, baby, please don't cry after me
Lord, when I leave, baby, please don't cry after me
For when you dry your tears, I'll be forty miles on that Santa Fe

SOLO

Lord, these blues, these blues is coming down on me
Lord, these blues, these blues is coming down on me
Lord, I'm just as blue, just as blue as any man can be

And it's early tomorrow morning, just about half past four
Lord, early tomorrow morning, just about half past four
Lord, my baby's done quit me and I'm bound for Mexico

Edited 7/10 to pick up corrections from harry

All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

For when you dry your tears, I'll be forty miles on that Santa Fe

[Johnm]

Sure enough, Harry, thanks for the catch.  I'll make the change.