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Gitfiddle Jim/Kokomo Arnold Lyrics

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Johnm:
Hi all,
Kokomo Arnold recorded "Cold Winter Blues" at a session in Chicago on January 12, 1937, accompanying himself in Spanish tuning with a slide. He sounds very much on top of his game here, and completely comfortable and at home with what he's doing. Here is "Cold Winter Blues":



INTRO

I taken sick last Winter, I didn't get well 'til the other day
Said I taken sick last Winter, mama, didn't get well until the other day
Soon as I got well and hearty, I didn't have no good place to stay

Now it's too cold to travel, and it's too cold to sleep outdoors
Now it's too cold to travel, mama, and it's too cold to sleep outdoors
When I was throwin' away my summer money, I should have been buyin' my winter clothes

Now the snow is fallin', mama, Lord, and it's fallin' fast
Now the snow is fallin', mama, Lord, and it's fallin' fast
I got icicles hangin', down from my yas-yas-yas

Now I just can't see how, go through this big world by myself
Now I just can't see how, go through this big world by myself
But I gotta keep on travelin', 'til I find somebody else

Now the freight trains done quit runnin', and the porter won't let me ride the blind
Now the freight trains done quit runnin', and the porter won't let me ride the blind
But I gotta keep on travelin', 'til I find that little gal of mine

CODA

All best,
Johnm

Johnm:
Hi all,
Kokomo Arnold recorded "Bad Luck Blues" at his last commercial recording session, in New York City on May 12, 1938, accompanied by an unknown pianist, and backing himself on guitar with a slide in Vestapol tuning. In some respects, Kokomo Arnold seems like an unlikely candidate for recording in duo settings with a pianist, but a fair amount of his records were done that way, and they work out fairly well. His accompaniment and vocal melody were re-treads here, or iterations of accompaniments he had done many times in the past at that point. The song bears no resemblance, musically or lyrically, to Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Bad Luck Blues". I'd very much appreciate help with the two bent bracketed places and any other places you think I have wrong. Here is Kokomo Arnold's version of "Bad Luck Blues":



INTRO

Now it's trouble, trouble, I've been hounded all my days
Now it's trouble, trouble, I been hounded all my days
Lord, it seems like trouble's, goin' to put me in my lonesome grave

Now, my woman, she got ways, just like a wildcat in the woods
Now, my woman, she got ways, just like a wildcat in the woods
Sure be raisin' hell and disturbance, right chere in my neighborhood

I'm scared to stay here, scared to leave this old bad-luck town
I'm scared to stay here, scared to leave this old bad-luck town
So when I wake up every morning, my head is goin' 'round and 'round

Now listen here, people, I don't want noone's advice
Now listen here, people, I don't want noone's advice
I done changed my way of livin', gone back to one that treat me right

I'm going to tell everybody, what bad luck I've had in my life
Gonna tell everybody, what bad luck I've had in my life
I'd kill my sister and my brother, now the woman that wrecked my life

OUTRO

Edited 8/26 to pick up corrections from Harry

All best,
Johnm

Blues Vintage:
Sure be raisin' hell in the [standards?] and disturbance, right chere in my neighborhood

Blues Vintage:
Some more suggestions,

Verse 1
Now it's trouble, trouble, I've been had it hounded all my days
Now it's trouble, trouble, I been had it hounded all my days

Last verse
I'd kill my sister and my brother, got a woman that wrecked my life

very hard to  hear, could be    I'd kill my sister and my brother, got a now the woman that wrecked my life

Johnm:
Thanks very much for your help, Harry. All of your suggestions were right on the money, and I will make those changes. Thanks!
All best,
Johnm

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