Topic: Victoria Spivey Lyrics

[Dr Pryor]

Thanx Suzy and sorry for a late reply!

Could you and/or other members help on "From 1 to 12 (Dirty dozen)"

I have many words I can't understand ("X" below):

Lord have mercy, I'm goin' right back to work
Lord have mercy, I'm goin' right back to work
I believe to my soul the good Lord got me under a curse

I had twelve pieces of men, all of them drag me round
I had twelve pieces of men, all of them drag me round
I'm pleading with you women, go and get you a chair and sit down

Number one was a rat that cut me in my face
Number two was a tramp beat me out of my place
Number three was a [thief?] stole my hundred [X] dime
Number four was a hound that gambled all the time

Now I'm tired, girls we don't need no men
But I'd rather be dead in a lion's den

Why number five was a [X], taking all I made
Number six was a bully, but I put him in his grave
Number seven was a stool pigeon, and what a death he died
Number eight was a hypocrite that lied lied lied

Now I'm tired and I don't want to [sin]
Well a time has come when a woman don't need no men

Why number nine was the one that death loved to fight
Number ten run with men, and you know that wasn't right
Number eleven knocked me down in the muddy ditch
I’m gonna try number twelve, he's a lowdown witch

Now I'm tired, girls we don't need no men
Cause the time has come when a woman's another one's best friend

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I merged Suzy's earlier thread on Victoria Spivey's "Dopehead Blues" with Dr Pryor's thread on Victoria Spivey's "Christmas Morning Blues" to have a dedicated Victory Spivey lyrics thread.  As you were.
All best,
Johnm

[banjochris]

Thanx Suzy and sorry for a late reply!

Could you and/or other members help on "From 1 to 12 (Dirty dozen)"

I have many words I can't understand ("X" below):

Lord have mercy, I'm goin' right back to work
Lord have mercy, I'm goin' right back to work
I believe to my soul the good Lord got me under a curse

I had twelve pieces of men, all of them drag me round
I had twelve pieces of men, all of them drag me round
I'm pleading with you women, go and get you a chair and sit down

Number one was a rat that cut me in my face
Number two was a tramp beat me out of my place
Number three was a [thief?] stole my hundred [X] dime
Number four was a hound that gambled all the time

Now I'm tired, girls we don't need no men
But I'd rather be dead in a lion's den

Why number five was a [X], taking all I made
Number six was a bully, but I put him in his grave
Number seven was a stool pigeon, and what a death he died
Number eight was a hypocrite that lied lied lied

Now I'm tired and I don't want to [sin]
Well a time has come when a woman don't need no men

Why number nine was the one that death loved to fight
Number ten run with men, and you know that wasn't right
Number eleven knocked me down in the muddy ditch
I’m gonna try number twelve, he's a lowdown witch

Now I'm tired, girls we don't need no men
Cause the time has come when a woman's another one's best friend

Some suggestions. I'm not entirely sure of the ending of line 3.3 either, but offered a suggestion. The rest I'm reasonably sure of.
Chris

1.1, 1.2 Lord have mercy, I'm goin' FROM BAD TO WORSE


3.3 Number three was a FREAK, stole my [HUNDREDS, FIVES AND DIMES]

5.1 I think she's singing SEA BUZZARD

6.1 sin is right

7.1 Why number nine was the one that JUST loved to fight

[Dr Pryor]

THat is just great! How can I thank you?
When looking for the meaning of "dragging around", I only can find "going slow". Does that mean that these twelve men have been slowing her down, i.e. keeping her from "getting somewhere"?

Here's my attempt at "Blood Thirsty Blues", almost an easy one but I have doubts within square brackets below, and maybe the whole song needs double check:

Blood, blood, blood, look at all that blood
Blood, blood, look at all that blood
Yes I killed my man, a low down good for nothing [clown]

I told him blood was in my eye, and still he wouldn't listen at me
I told him blood was in my eye, and still he wouldn't listen to me
Yes instead of givin' him sugar, I put blood in his tea

Another thing folks, you can put me down and let me walk
Another thing folks, you can put me down, and let me walk
You know I’m a mighty mean woman, and I won’t stand for no back talk

The only man I ever loved, I [?] him to his ruin
The only man I ever loved, I [?] him to his ruin
Yes I know I'm blood thirsty from wonderin' what my poor man’s doing

[Johnm]

Hi Dr Pryor,
I think the word at the end of the tagline to the first verse is "cur".  And in the first two lines of the last verse, I believe it is "I DONE SENT him to his ruin".
All best,
Johnm

[Dr Pryor]

Thank you Johnm! How I like the ways she spells "ru-ine" and "do-ine". It almost sounds like a French accent 

Coud you, or other members, help on understanding "dragging aroud" in "From 1 to 12"?

Here is "I can’t last long" that hopefully looks correct:

Lonesome, lonesome
Yes I'm sinkin', sinkin', sinkin' down below my grave
Done had a good time, but Lord how I done paid

Cause the rising sun ain't gonna shine no more
The rising sun ain't gonna shine no more
Well it's dark and dreary, no matter where I go

Well the lights in my room even refuse to shine
Oh the lights in my room even refuse to shine
If my baby don't come back, I know I'll be doin' time

Because ooh, I can't stand no more
Hmm, I can't stand no more
Well he quit me for my best friend, and don't come to see me no more

(horn solo)

Tell all my good friends, 'cause I know I can't last long
Tell all my good friends, I know I can't last long
Please don't you wait, for I'll be dead and gone

(Humming and singing)

Please don't you wait, 'cause I know I'll be dead and gone

[banjochris]

Coud you, or other members, help on understanding "dragging aroud" in "From 1 to 12"?

I think, given the context, she means generally treating her poorly, abusing her. Not necessarily physically.
Chris

[Dr Pryor]

Hi Banjochris, and thank you for clarifying.