Hi all,
Hobart Smith recorded "Graveyard Blues" in Bluefield, Virginia in 1959, for Alan Lomax, who had recorded him several times previously for the Library of Congress. The performance was first made available on the old Prestige "Southern Journey" series and can now be found on "Hobart Smith: Blue Ridge Legacy", Rounder CD 11661-1799-2. Hobart Smith was an almost unimaginably strong and versatile player--as good as any Old-Time banjo player ever to record, a fine fiddler, a powerful guitarist and a ripping piano (!) player, as well as a strong singer. His playing on whatever instrument he happened to be holding at the time had a kind of electric intensity and engagement that commands the listener's attention. Everything he played is worth hearing.
"Graveyard Blues" is a 16-bar blues that Smith played out of E position in standard tuning. Hobart Smith put a neat hitch in his timing at the end of his first vocal phrase to insert runs. I've taught this tune in the past at Port Townsend and EBA Blues Week in years gone by, and find that returning to it after not having heard it for a while I appreciate it all the more. Here is "Graveyard Blues":
Lord, I went to the graveyard, looked down on her face
Went to the graveyard, looked down on her face
Went to the graveyard, looked down on her face
I'm sorry, woman, I just can't take your place
That's all right, baby that's all right for you
That's all right, baby, that's all right for you
That's all right, baby, that's all right for you
You're low-down and dirty and I know the way you do
Well, I hate to see the rising sun go down
Hate to see the risin' sun go down
Hate to see the risin' sun go down
Ain't got nobody for to put my arms around
Come here, woman, see what you have done
Come here, woman, see what you have done
Come here, woman, see what you have done
You've caused me to love you, now your good man's come
Oh, that's all right, baby, that's all right for you
That's all right, baby, that's all right for you
That's all right, baby, that's all right for you
You're low-down and dirty, and I know the way you do
Well, I hate to see the rising sun go down
Hate to see the risin' sun go down
Hate to see the risin' sun go down
Ain't got nobody for to put my arms around
Oh, take me to the graveyard, roll the sod over me
Take me to the graveyard, roll the sod over me
Take me to the graveyard, roll the sod over me
I want to tell the world how you mistreated me
Oh, that's all right, that's all right for you
That's all right, baby, that's all right for you
That's all right, baby, that's all right for you
You're low-down and dirty and I know the way you do
All best,
Johnm
