Topic: Scrapper Blackwell Lyrics

[dj]

Yes, I think it's "up to date", as in wearing stylish clothes.

[Johnm]

Thanks very much for the tip, Phil, you're certainly right, "up to date" it is.
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Scrapper Blackwell recorded "My Old Pal Blues" with the backing of Dot Rice on piano.  Scrapper accompanied his tribute to Leroy Carr out of D position in standard tuning, capoed up a ways.



I woke up this mornin', couldn't hardly get out of my bed
I woke up this mornin', couldn't hardly get out of my bed
When I got the news that Leroy Carr was dead

I runned to the window, and I throwed up the blind
I runned to the window, and I throwed up the blind
I stood there wonderin', and just couldn't keep from cryin'

The day of his funeral, I hated to see Leroy's face
The day of his funeral, I hated to see Leroy's face
Because I know there's no one could ever take his place

Then off to the funeral, then to the buryin' ground
Then off to the funeral, then to the buryin' ground
My heart was breakin', as they lowered him down

He's done singin', he's done playin', you'll never hear his voice no more
He's done singin', he's done playin', you'll never hear his voice no more
He was a real good pal, and I'll miss him everywhere I go

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Scrapper Blackwell recorded "Alley Sally Blues", accompanying himself out of a position in standard tuning at Bb, and backed by pianist Dot Rice.  The sound the two musicians get is very similar to the duo sound Scrapper had with Leroy Carr.  Scrapper was so strong and consistent in his playing, and a really fine singer.  I think the fact that he worked with Leroy Carr made it easier for people not to give his singing enough attention.



Hey, hey, Sally, how do you feel this morn?
Hey, hey, Sally, how do you feel this morn?
I just come by to get me a little drink of corn

Sally, you's the best old friend I've ever seen
Sally, you's the best old friend I've ever seen
I like your corn liquor, but it treats me so mean

I'm goin' take a stroll up the alley, just to meet my friend
I am goin' take a stroll up the alley, just to meet my friend
I'll be full of Sally's corn liquor, partner, runnin' drunk again

I went down to Sally's, just to hear 'em sung the blues
I went down to Sally's, just to hear 'em sung the blues
I got so full of hard liquor, I didn't know what to do

I'm leavin' now, Sally, your cryin' won't make me stay
I'm leavin' now, Sally, your cryin' won't make me stay
I'll be back to play the blues for you someday

All best,
Johnm

[MTJ3]

Much ink has been and much more will likely be spilt over "Kokomo Blues" and its progeny and relatives.  A recorded antecedent and potential source for Blackwell's version is Madlyn Davis's "Kokola [sic] Blues," recorded in for Paramount in Chicago in November 1927 (a scant seven months before Blackwell's 16 June 1928 recording in Indianapolis).  Blackwell's song bears no melodic or structural similarity to Davis's, which is of an entirely different song family, except for Blackwell's adaption of Blackwell's refrain (without the lights) to his first verse.  Blackwell pronounces the name of the town "ko-kee-mo;" Davis's pronunciation is standard.

I believe I'll go and let you have your way.
You keep me worried both night and day.
And it's hey, hey, baby, don't you want to go
Back to that 'leven light city,
Back to sweet Kokomo?

I'm a stranger here just blowed in your town.
If I ask you for a favor please don't turn me down.
And it's hey, hey, papa, don't you want to go
Back to that 'leven light city,
Back to sweet Kokomo?

Now it ain't but the one thing worries my mind,
I've got to leave town and leave my baby behind.
And it's hey, hey, papa, don't you want to go
Back to that 'leven light city,
To sweet old Kokomo?

[Clarinet solo]

Now you treated me mean, you done it [if/in I/my am/I] [idn't 'at] wrong.
You say you leaving town, papa, and I'm glad you gone.
And it's hey, hey, baby, hey, don't you want to go
Back to that 'leven light city,
Back to sweet Kokomo?

I have been unable to locate any historical records concerning Davis.  I don't know where she was from or worked, and I have no idea how popular or influential her recording was (possibly not very, as she cut only four sides in two sessions before the "Kokola Blues" session, at which she recorded two sides, and was in the studio only once more after the "Kokola Blues" session recording four cuts with Tampa Red and Georgia Tom).  Interestingly no composer credit is given for "Kokola Blues;" Davis has composer credit on all of her other sides save the other one recorded at her "Kokola Blues" session and two of the four recorded with Tampa Red and Georgia Tom.  If that has any probative value supporting the proposition that she didn't pen the song, then that would seem to increase the likelihood that the formula in Davis's refrain and Blackwell's may have derived from a common source (rather than Blackwell being inspired by Davis or simply "tickled" by the lyric). 

The question as to why blues singers would sing about Kokomo and why it is referred to by Davis as an eleven light city stumped the Howard County Historical Society.  I have my suspicions, which include johnm's speculation.
 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Scrapper Blackwell accompanied himself out of D position in standard tuning for his recording of "Mr. Scrapper's Blues."  The accompaniment is very close to a number of his solo blues played out of D position in the early part of his career.  Here is his performance (it may not be viewable for non-U.S. residents):



INTRO

I got up this mornin' with the blues rollin' across my mind
I got up this mornin' with the blues rollin' across my mind
They seem to keep me bothered, baby, and worried all the time

Once I loved a woman, but she didn't mean me no good
Once I loved a woman, but she didn't mean me no good
She gave me so much trouble that I had to move from her neighborhood

Oh baby, I ain't got nobody now
Oh baby, I ain't got nobody now
When I think about it, I don't need nobody nohow

Tell me, baby, what you want me to do
Tell me, baby, what you want me to do
I'm tryin' to make some money to send back home to you

Today has been a, a long old lonesome day
Today has been a, a long old lonesome day
I have left my baby but I sure can't stay away

Edited 3/15 to pick up correction from Waxwing

All best,
Johnm 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Scrapper Blackwell played "Sneaking Blues" out of D position, too, though his intro took him farther afield harmonically; It's really hard to tell where he's going to end up until right at the very end of it.  Scrapper returns to the diminished seventh chords he starts the song with for his outro.  Here is his performance of "Sneaking Blues":



Blues is funny, up on you they will creep
Blues is funny, up on you they will creep
They will come on Monday, stay with you all the week

Did you ever get to thinkin', when there was no one around?
Did you ever get to thinkin', when they was no one around?
And it looked like everybody had really throwed you down

Sometime blues makes me happy, and again they make me cry
Sometime blues makes me happy, and again they make me cry
What makes me get that way, I can't tell the reason why

I do believe I was born with blues in my right hand
I do believe I was born with blues in my right hand
Why I stay blue so long, I just can't understand

If I've had the blues once, I've had 'em a thousand times
If I've had the blues once, I've had 'em the thousand times
And I can always feel them, liftin' on my mind

OUTRO

Edited 3/15 to pick up corrections from Waxwing

All best,
Johnm

[waxwing]

I think in Mr. Scrapper's Blues he is conceding in 2.3 that it is "HER neighborhood", Johnm. Otherwise spot on. Seems you inadvertently used the same link to Mr.Scrapper's Blues in the second post.

Always like hearing Scrapper, early or late.

Wax 

[waxwing]

Oops, and a typo ("THEM" not "the") in 5.3 of Sneaking Blues, after listening to my own copy. Also not sure I hear the "n't" on the end of "wasn't" in 2.1 and 2.2 Sounds more like he just elides the "was" into the "no" with a little emphasis on the "no". Listening at full speed, anyway. Having tried it several times, it seems impossible to elide from the "S" sound into the "N" sound without a little stop that may sound like the contraction, but I don't think it's his intent.

[Edited to elucidate the description of the sound a little more]

Wax

[Johnm]

Thanks for the catches, John C., I re-listened and agree with all of them and made the changes and fixed the link on "Sneaky Blues".  Thanks!
All best,
Johnm

[ScottN]

Be Da Da Dum



I'm gonna stop that kitten from playing in my hallway
They been waking me up every morning about the break of day
About that be de de de dum
Be da dull e de de da de dum
Be de dull e be da da da
Be de da de da de de de dum

Now that tom was on the woodshed sitting on the ground
Tom made a pass and the folks went a round and round
About that be de da de dum
Be da de da de da de dum
Be de dull e de da
Be de da de da de da de dum

Now the tom said to the kitten what you gonna do
Come here to me kitten I'm gonna murder you
Bout that be de da de dum
Be da dull a de da de dum
Now de de de
Be de de da de de de dum

Now these cats get crazy and act a fool
Now tell me people what am I going to do
Bout that be de de da de dum
Be de dull e de de da de dum
Be de dull e de de da dull a dum
Be de de de de de da dum

Now my baby put me out said I don't want you no more
And I wonder why my baby had to tell me so
Be da dat de de da de dum
Be de de da de da de dum
Be de de de de da dull a dum
Be de de da de de de dum

I can member way back when ma and pa
Let me tell you they [boxed] they [squalled]
Bout that be de da de dum
Be de de de da de de dull e dum
Be de de de de da dull um
Be de da de da da de dull dum

Now you take these young folks that goes to high school
They sometimes really do act the fool
About that be de da de dum
Be de dull e da de de de dum
De de de de be  de de de
Be da de da de de de dum

Now I wonder baby what more can I do
In this wide world to get along with you
Be da dat de de da de dum
Be da de de de da de dum
Be da da da de de dull e de
Be de de de de de de dum


Thanks,
            Scott

[ScottN]

From the Document Scrapper Blackwell 1959-60. There is a different version on Mr Scrapper's Blues with essentially the same lyrics and many incredible solos as well!

Little Boy Blues



Intro solo

Solo

Solo

...Boy Blue come blow your horn
Sheep's in the meadow and the cow's in the corn
Where's the little boy that takes care the sheep
Well he's under the haystack fast asleep
Well Little Boy Blue come blow your horn
Sheep's in the meadow and the cow's in the corn

Old Lady Hubbard went to the cupboard to get the poor dog a bone
When she got there well the cupboard was bare she had to leave that dog alone
Well Little Boy Blue come blow your horn
Sheep's in the meadow and the cow's in the corn

Well Mary had a little bitty lamb the fleece was white as snow
Everywhere that Mary went well the lamb was sure to go
Well Little Boy Blue come blow your horn
Sheep's in the meadow and the cow's in the corn

Solo

Solo

Solo

Solo


Thanks,
            Scott

[Johnm]

Hi Scott,
Thanks for the new Scrapper transcriptions.  I think in "Be Da Da Dum" line 7.2 is:
   They SOMETMES REALLY DO, act the fool
That one looks great apart from that.  Thanks!  Transcribing scat singing is kind of tiresome, isn't it!?
Does anyone know who the pianist on that track is?
All best,
Johnm

[ScottN]

Thanks John, I made the change. Also have to agree that scat singing is not my favorite to try and transcribe ;-)

Thanks again,
                    Scott

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Here is the video for the version of "Little Boy Blues" that Scott posted.



Those lyrics look good, Scott, thanks.  It occurs to me that, instrumentally, at least, this is the same piece as an instrumental Shirley Griffith played as "Shirley's Jump", I believe.

All best,
Johnm