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Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: Johnm on October 03, 2020, 09:57:31 PM
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Hi all,
Kelly Harrell recorded "Wild Bill Jones" accompanied by Henry Whitter, playing guitar out of G position in standard tuning and sounding in Bb, while also playing harmonica on a rack. Harrell was one of the relatively rare Old-Time musicians, like Walter "Kid" Smith, who only sang on his own records, and played no instrument. This track has been discussed on the site before, in the thread, "How Did That Get Recorded?", for it is an odd one. Henry Whitter plays through the melody of the song for an intro on the harmonica and then Kelly Harrell comes in singing--in the key of F while being accompanied in Bb. The two musicians carry this bi-tonal approach through to the end of the song. Here it is, and it actually sounds less odd than you might think (though odd enough):
https://youtu.be/Jl2Xx-HEeWQ
INTRO
I went out forth, to take a little walk, and I walked upon that Wild Bill Jones
He was walking and a-talking by my true lover's side, I forbid him for to leave her alone
That Wild Bill Jones was a big bad man, he carried two guns and a knife
I beat him to mine, and I shot him on time, I destroyed that poor boy's life
He staggered and he stumbled and he fell to the ground, and he give one dying groan
I put my arms around my true lover's neck, I says, "Darling, you'll be left all alone."
I have one dollar in my pocketbook, and a quarter in my hand
Says, "Come on boys, and let's take another drink, for I have this money for to spend."
Just pass around your long-neck bottle, and we'll all get on a spree
For today was the last of that Will Bill Jones, and tomorrow'll be the last of me
My woman, she wrote me a letter, saying, "Darling, can't you make bail?"
I wrote her another one, I says, "Darling, I've done got bail."
My woman, she wrote me another one, says, "Darling, what might your bail be?"
My woman, she sent me one ten dollar bill, says, "Darling, come back home to me."
I was on that old train when she whistled for midnight, I was on her when she whistled for day
She went around the curve and she strained every nerve, this old engine's gonna carry me away
The engine said to his fireman, "Just a little more extry coal.
We'll heat her in pots, and we'll keep her in a trot, and we'll run her in some lonesome hole."
OUTRO
Edited 10/4 to pick up corrections from Harry
All best,
Johnm
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1.1 I went out forth, for to take a little walk
9.2 and we'll run keep her in a trot
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Thanks for the catches, Harry. I'll make the changes. Thanks!