[pre]
D
When I find that river
?E? D
That lazy, lazy river
A?D
Then my life will be complete
[/pre]
D
When I find that river
?E? D
That lazy, lazy river
A?D
Then my life will be complete
Actually, I think you and I e-corresponded a few years earlier, after posting on the old woodshed, about trying to find people adventurous (or eclectic (and maybe other adjectives, too)) enough to try and transport Joseph Spence tunes to fiddle and/or banjo.? As somebody noted in another thread about "top of the heap," this particular heap may be small.
Lonnie Chatmon sured seemed to favor flat keys and closed positions (even when the tune was in C or G) that I haven't found easy or intuitive on the fiddle.? I haven't found many of the guitar parts easy or intuitive, either!
To my ears, the chord progression for the first section (from "blue all day" to "heaven and earth that I long to get") was very different from the progression for the rest . . .? But, I look forward to another session, with the benefit of your thoughts.
Thanks again, and good to be here.
Very unusual tune, the Sheiks doing a pop tune masterfully.
Walter Vincson's singing: pretty hard to sing a Bflat note over a D chord.
My experience with other Sheiks tunes is that when the fiddle's playing out of a closed position, those particular fiddle lines don't quite translate to another position.
I found it easier to sing that flat note when I added it to the chord.? When it was a D-shape chord, I added the third string at the third fret, and even got to like the dissonance.
While A's session friendly, for the purists, the sound may be getting a bit far from the Sheiks
At sessions I've played along with Bull at the Wagon, but I don't really know it.? Rip Van Winkle Blues isn't familiar; I'll have to check my files.? But one of my favorites is the G Rag, by the Yellowhammers with Andrew Baxter -- although I play an easier (notier) B part from a version called something like WyZee Hamilton's Breakdown.
Eflat
I've been blue all day
Just walkin here on [borrowed] ground
I've looked beneath of the daisies
Bflat
My pal could not be found
Eflat
She's down that lazy river
And I'm just [lost from here] (lonesome here?)
F
That's the only place between
?Bflat
Heaven and earth I long to get
Eflat
When I find that river
?F? Eflat
That lazy, lazy river
Bflat? Eflat
Then my life will be complete
Eflat
I searched the whole world over
?F Eflat
I've slept out on the clover
Bflat?Eflat
Hoping there to rest my feet
G
I've searched beneath of the daisies
C
And looked up in the moon
F
I followed every rainbow
Bflat
and I hope to be there soon
Eflat
And when I find that river
?F? Eflat
That lazy, lazy river
Bflat? Eflat
Then I'm coming home for you
Break
Eflat
If I could find that river
?F? Eflat
That lazy, lazy river
Bflat? Eflat
Then my life will be complete
Eflat
I searched the whole world over
?F? Eflat
I've slept out on the clover
Bflat?Eflat
Hoping there to rest my feet
G
I've searched beneath of the daisies
C
And looked up in the moon
F
I followed every rainbow
Bflat
and I hope to be there soon
Eflat
And when I find that river
?F? Eflat
That lazy, lazy river
Bflat? Eflat
Then I'm coming home for you
e-6--
B-4--
G-0--
D-5--
A-6--
E-6--
e-6--
B-6--
G-7--
D-8--
A-8--
E-6--
e-1--
B-1--
G-2--
D-3--
A-3--
E-1--
e-3--
B-1--
G-0--
D-2--
A-3--
E----
< ... snip ...> vocal phrasing is slightly ahead of the beat, where LC's fiddle is either dead on the beat or slightly behind.? If you listen carefully, the effect is pretty amazing - like an echo or delay.? It takes real discipline to pull it off, too...? wow!?
If you do it in eflat, that note works out to be, what?, a b natural?
As for the "both tunes" critique, I disagree; to my ears, they had far more than two tunes, or even two arrangements.
The same critique could be levelled at Blind Blake, if you think about it...? I don't agree in either case, but I listen for different stuff than the people who might think that about either the Sheiks or Blake.
Eflat
When I find that river
?Aflat? Aflat minor
That lazy, lazy river
Eflat?Bflat Eflat
Then my life will be? complete
I stopped to listen as the bells come clangin' on
When I got home the people paid me respect
Now don't you a-hear me talking pretty mama
When I got home the people paid me respect
____?____ your sweet little hoo-oo faror's dead
When I got home I begin to scream and cry
Now don't you a-hear me talking pretty mama
When I got home I begin to scream and cry
I thought my little hoo-oo baby was too-oo cute to die
I stopped to listen as the bells come clangin' on
Now don't you a-hear me talking pretty mama
I stopped to listen as the bells were clangin'(?) on
I know by that it somebody dead and gone
When I got home the people paid me respect
Now don't you a-hear me talking pretty mama
When I got home the people paid me respect
____?____ your sweet little hoo-oo faror's dead
Eflat
When I find that river
F Aflat minor
That lazy, lazy river
Eflat Bflat Eflat
Then my life will be complete
Well, the preacher used to preach
To try to stay atoned
It was at a church last night
Had desire to be
Preacher always
He was a mighty true man
He gives his commence
He will swear he's keepin'
God's command
Have women fussin' 'n fightin'
All over land
Therein the people
Stopped goin' to church
They know that preacher
Was tryin-a do too much
BTW, I'm not lyrics expert, but I get:
The reason the people stopped going to church
Hello,
I have another e-conversation with a fellow on Ari Eisinger's Acoustic Blues Message board and my correspondant is not convinced about the third verse:
Preacher always
He was a mighty true man
He gives his command
And he couldn't understand
After listening again to the song, I wonder if the verse couldn't be something like :
Preacher always
He was a mighty true mind
He gaves his commands
That couldn't [be] understand
What do you think ?
Seems to me the humorous implication would be that the preacher claims to be true, but then can't follow (understand) his own reading of god's (His) commands.
Now that I can play the chord progression to his song I'm tired of just humming the tune. What are the lyrics? ThanksBeing a dance tune the lyrics are totally repetative thus:
It's the jazz version* of a Mississippi tune**
Listen here people, gonna play a little tune, it's a jazz story about the Mississippi Coon it's too bad, it's too.... listen to that old violin
Pretty sure Frankie had it right a few years ago with:
It's the jazz violin of a Mississippi coon
Listen to the way Walter pronounces violin as vio-leen; he just changes the stress a bit in this line.
Chris
I worked all the winter, winter was tough (weather was tough?)
I?m leaving this town tomorrow, no use to sorrow (sob?) and cry
I ???? I ain't got you
When she gets to playing it she plays it in a race
You get three aces but she gets a royal place
There is a man, name is Bill
Used to play for her and he plays it still
Thanks for the changes.
For getting familiar with flat keys, it's a good idea to start with B-flat. I'd also recommend learning "Lonely One In This Town" as it's basically a set piece and manages to lay out all the essential things you need to know about B-flat on the fiddle.
My goodness, Frank, what a generous thing to do--and time-consuming! Thanks so much, and I can see I've got my work cut out for me, entering these all in Weeniepedia. Thank you, on behalf of all Weenies and the site!
Jake Leg sounds to me like two guitars - they're usually basically right on top of each other, except when the change comes to the VI chord, where they occasionally seem to be not of the same mind, so to speak. You're right about Bo and Walter's roles and I think they're both playing guitar. Bo's might be the slightly more audible, in my opinion.
The New Sittin' On Top Of The World - Mississippi Sheiks
Actual pitch: G-flat
Main guitar position: G
Fiddle position: G
Mandolin position: n/a
Second guitar position: n/a
Lyrics:
Maybe today, or [] late
My baby got movements like a old Cadillac eight
I'll never leave her, because I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
I'll go away, I won't stay long
Thinking about that sweet thing I've left at home
I'll never leave her, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
My baby loves me, tries to treat me right
Gives me her loving both day and night
I'll never leave her, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
My baby says one thing, I know it is true
"Can't have another man and be good to you"
I'll never leave her, because I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
Up in Chicago, long ways from home
Wonder if somebody else, carrying my loving on
I'll never leave her, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
I'm going home, buy a lock and key
To keep these men from stealing my loving from me
I'll never leave her, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
Driving That Thing - Mississippi Sheiks
Actual pitch: A-flat
Main guitar position: B-flat
Fiddle position: B-flat
Mandolin position: n/a
Second guitar position: n/a
https://youtu.be/NKnr5lMyPe4
Lyrics:
Old Uncle Bill, he was a working man
Laid down and died with his hammer in his hand
From driving that thing, whoa, driving that thing
All the lawyers in town talking about him driving that thing
Old Uncle Bill, he lived uptown
Driving that thing has done carried him down
Whoa, driving that thing, whoa, driving that thing
Even down to the judge is talking about him driving that thing
Uncle Bill called the doctor, "Come here quick!
I done got my hammer out of fix!
I can't drive that thing
spoken: Come on, doctor, come on!
I can't drive that thing
All the lawyers uptown talking about him driving that thing
spoken: Whoa, drive it!
Uncle Bill got the doctor, the doctor said
"Driving that thing is going to kill you dead."
Oh, driving that thing, whoa, driving that thing
Even down to the judge is talking about him driving that thing
Uncle Bill was [raggedy], clean out of sight
Every time you meet him he would want to fight
About driving that thing, about driving that thing
All the lawyers uptown is talking about him driving that thing
Stayed out last night, the night before
Come home this morning knocking on his door
He's just from driving that thing, he's just from driving that thing
Even down to the judge is talking about him driving that thing
Alberta Blues - Mississippi Sheiks
Actual pitch: A-flat (s)
Main guitar position: B-flat
Fiddle position: B-flat
Mandolin position: n/a
Second guitar position: n/a
https://youtu.be/OUO-_kw9MDE
Lyrics:
Alberta, Alberta, where you been so long?
Tell me, Alberta, where you been so long?
Hasn't been no loving since you been gone
Alberta, Alberta, where'd you stay last night?
Tell me, Alberta, where'd you stay last night?
Come home this morning, sun was shining bright
If you see Alberta, tell her to hurry home
If you see Alberta, tell her to hurry home
Hasn't been no loving since you been gone
Alberta, Alberta, what you going to do?
Tell me, Alberta, what you going to do?
Just a little bit of loving, let your heart be true
spoken: Whoa, step on it
I met Alberta, 'way 'cross the sea
I met Alberta, 'way 'cross the sea
Wouldn't write me no letter, she didn't care for me
Alberta, Alberta, be a pal of mine
Alberta, Alberta, be a pal of mine
And she left me walking, tears rolling and crying
I love Alberta, tell the world I do
I love Alberta, tell the world I do
Just a little bit of loving, let your heart be true
Winter Time Blues - Mississippi Sheiks
Actual pitch: F
Main guitar position: G
Fiddle position: G
Mandolin position: n/a
Second guitar position: n/a
https://youtu.be/dagbFQasK74
Lyrics:
When the birds stop singing and the wind begins to blow
When the birds stop singing and the wind begins to blow
I was all outdoors, I didn't have my winter clothes
Now don't a man feel bad when he wakes up cold in hand
Now don't a man feel bad when he wakes up cold in hand
He won't have a dime to give the house rent man
I'm going to the post office to get some long distance mail
I'm going to the post office to get some long distance mail
I would catch the train I just haven't got the [geld]
It's so cold up north that the birds can't hardly fly
It's so cold up north that the birds can't hardly fly
They'll have to take their home, let this winter pass on by
spoken: Oh, step on it
spoken: Oh, [Miss Lula, lord.]
spoken: Just think about her only.
I'm staying in a house, I'd just as soon to be outdoors
I'm staying in a house, I'd just as soon to be outdoors
I'll have to go back south where the weather suits my clothes
The Sheik Waltz - Mississippi Sheiks
Actual pitch: E-flat
Main guitar position: F/B-flat/E-flat
Fiddle position: F/B-flat/E-flat
Mandolin position: n/a
Second guitar position: n/a
https://youtu.be/Xe577ni7qQI
Lyrics:
Instrumental
The Jazz Fiddler - Mississippi Sheiks
Actual pitch: A-flat
Main guitar position: B-flat
Fiddle position: B-flat
Mandolin position: n/a
Second guitar position: n/a
Lyrics:
spoken: No fooling, now.
Listen here people gonna play a little tune
It's the jazz violin of a Mississippi coon
It's too bad, it's too
Listen to that old violin
You got the fiddle and take out your bow
This is a tune all the fiddlers ought to know
It's too bad, it's too bad
Boys this is something you never have seen
A man playing jazz on a violin
It's too bad, it's too
Listen to that old violin
A quick finger and a shaking bow
A stooping heel and a tickle toe
It's too bad, it's too bad
Boys this is something you never have seen
A man playing jazz on a violin
It's too bad, it's too
Listen to that old violin
A quick finger and a shaking bow
A stooping heel and a tickle toe
It's too bad, it's too bad
Boys this is something you never have seen
A man playing jazz on a violin
It's too bad, it's too
Listen to that old violin
A quick finger and a shaking bow
A stooping heel and a tickle toe
It's too bad, it's too bad
History and Etymology for supple
Adjective
Middle English souple, from Anglo-French suple, from Latin supplic-, supplex entreating for mercy, supplicant, perhaps from sub- + -plic- (akin to plicare to fold)
Definition of souple
(Entry 1 of 3)
dialectal variant of SUPPLE
sou·ple | \ ˈsüpəl \
Sitting On Top Of The World - Mississippi Sheiks
Actual pitch: G-flat
Main guitar position: G
Fiddle position: G
Mandolin position: n/a
Second guitar position: n/a
https://youtu.be/hBuK2ZOZq6o
Lyrics:
Was all the summer, and all the fall,
just trying to find my little all and all
But now she's gone, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
Was in the spring, one summer day
Just when she left me, she's gone to stay
But now she's gone, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
Needn't to come here running, holding up your hand
Can get me a woman, quick as you can get a man
But now she's gone, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
It have been days, I didn't know your name
Why should I worry and pray in vain
But now she's gone, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
Going to the station, down in the yard
Gonna get me a freight train, work done got hard
But now she's gone, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
The lonesome days, they have gone by
Why should you beg me and say goodbye
But now she's gone, I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world
Stop and Listen Blues - Mississippi Sheiks
Actual pitch: C
Main guitar position: Dropped D
Fiddle position: D
Mandolin position: n/a
Second guitar position: n/a
https://youtu.be/RQ6r6kxPiJM
Lyrics:
Every day have been a long old lonesome day
Yeah, don't you-a-hear me talking, pretty mama, well
Day have been a long old lonesome day
Crying, seems like tomorrow is the same old way
Crying, smokestack's black, baby and the bell it shine like gold
Now don't you-a-hear me talking, pretty mama, oh
Smokestack's black, bell it shining like gold
Crying, I found my baby laying on the cooling board
Don't a hearse look lonesome, mama, rolling 'fore your door
Now don't you-a-hear me talking, pretty mama
Don't a hearse look lonesome rolling 'fore your door
Crying she gone, she gone, won't be back no more
Oh, stop and listen, hear how the bell did tone
Now don't you-a-hear me talking, pretty mama, oh
Stop and listen, hear the bell did tone
I had a sweet little faro but she's dead and gone
Crying, followed my baby down to her burying ground
Now don't you-a-hear me talkin, pretty mama
I followed my baby to the burying ground
It was hackney horses standing all around
I'm not suggesting that transcriptions in Weeniepedia be considered sacrosanct, but rather that changes that are made be confined to mis-heard words which alter the meaning of what the original performer sang. Edits are made to lyrics in Weeniepedia with a fair degree of frequency, often many years after a song was originally posted there.