Topic: Ralph Willis Lyrics

[Gumbo]

I've been enjoying the various Ralph Willis threads this evening (check the tag at the bottom of this page) and thought we could make a start on the lyrics. I'm guessing (hoping) you guys have some others already on file coz some of those lines are chock full of syllables   Here is "Going to Virginia":



Going To Virginia
recorded for Savoy in June 1948 in NYC
solo guitar in E

here's what I got

I wanna know girl what in the world you eat
make your breath smells like your feet
well, I'm goin to Virginia
I said yes Virginia
if the bus don't stop no train don't turn around

Well I got a little girl she's little and low
used to let me do it but she won't no mo'
well, I'm goin to Virginia
I said yes Virginia
if the bus don't stop no train don't turn around

Well Mama used to tell me Daddy told me too
chasin' women gonna be the death of you
well, I'm goin to Virginia
I said yes Virginia
if the bus don't stop no train don't turn around

Well ashes to ashes, dust to dust
show me a woman that a man can trust
well, I'm goin to Virginia
I said yes Virginia
if the bus don't stop no train don't turn around

well I got a little girl, little and low
used to let me do it but she won't no mo'
well, I'm goin to Virginia
I said yes Virginia
if the bus don't stop no train don't turn around

play it live for me 'gain

I don't want no woman don't know A from B
she used to be down on my pa's cornfield
well, I'm goin to Virginia
I said yes Virginia
if the bus don't stop no train don't turn around

Well I'm going up town I want spread the news
these old women got me wearing the brogan shoes
well, I'm goin to Virginia
I said yes Virginia
if the bus don't stop no train don't turn around

edited to pick up corrections from cru423

[Gumbo]

and here's the earlier version



Going To Chattanooga
recorded in 1946 for 20th Century in NYC

If the boat don't sink if the train don't turn around

Whyn't you tell me what is that you eat
make your breath smell like your feet
So I'm going to Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
Yeah Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
If the boat don't sink, the train don't turn around

Come home last night bout half past ten
put the key in the hole but I couldn't get in
I'm going to Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
Yeah Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
If the boat don't sink the train don't turn around

No Monkey in the bath ?? Possum up a tree
want these gals to come and hoopee with me
I'm going to Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
Yeah Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
If the boat don't sink, the train don't turn around

I'm going to Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
If the boat don't sink the train don't turn around

I used to have a gal she was little and low
used to let me shake it but she don't no more
I'm going to Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
Yeah Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
If the boat don't sink, the train don't turn around

If you got a good man he love you a lot
keep a smile on your face, your big mouth shut
I'm going to Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
Yeah Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
If the boat don't sink the train don't turn around

If the boat don't sink the train don't turn around

I went up on Main Street come down flats ?
looking for the gal cut up my last pair of pants ??
I'm going to Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
Yeah Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
If the boat don't sink, the train don't turn around

Just as soon as the freight train roll in the yard
I'm going to Chattanoogee like to ride the rods
I'm going to Chattanoogee, I'm going to Chattanoogee
If the boat don't sink, the train don't turn around

If the boat don't sink the train don't turn around
 

[Gumbo]

Here's Johnm's transcription of Old Home Blues from the Rag Blues and Circle of Fifths thread.
recorded for Prestige in NYC, October 3rd 1951



 Oh yes, darling, I will be standing, way down on that railroad line
   Well, darling, darling, oh my darling,
   I've got the Old Home Blues, yes I mean,
   I really have the Old Home Blues

   Yes, I've got my suitcase packed, and I don't intend to turn back
   No need to grievin', darling, 'cause I told you I was leavin'
   I hear those Home Blues

   You know, when things look like it's swell
   Somethin' come along, make it bad for me, well, well, well, well
   Well, darling, darling, oh my darling
   I've got the Old Home Blues, yes, I mean,
   I really have the Old Home Blues

[cru423]

Goin' to Virginia (to the tune of Move to Alabama)

6th verse

Don't want no woman don't no A from B
She used to be down on my pa's cornfield

7th verse

Well I'm going up town I want to spread the news
These old women got me wearing the brogan shoes

"Brogans" were originally army boots worn in the Revolutionary War. In "Black Bottom Blues" recorded by the Georgia Crackers in 1927, they refer to prison boots, "And now I'm on the chain gang/wearing them brogan shoes".

[Gumbo]

Thanks cru423. I couldn't make head nor tail of that cornfield one!
The brogan shoe is interesting as it's an Irish word meaning a sturdy shoe. My preferred choice of footwear!

[Gumbo]

Blues, Blues, Blues
recorded August 31 1950 in NYC with Brownie McGee (and Orchestra)
number 15 in Stefan's discography



Baby it's blues, blues, blues that's all I ever got
yes it's blues, blues, blues that's all I ever got
I got so many dog gone blues boys I don't know whether it's cold or hot

Y'know the blues is my first name, yeah it's my second name too
Yeah the blues is my first name, yeah it's my second name too
I got so many dog gone blues boys i don't know what I will do

When I walk down the street yes I look both ways
When I walk down the street yes I look both ways
that's why everybody talkin' 'bout me yes both nights and days

got to play a little bit for you now

well I got a little girl yes she lives way up town
y'know I got a little gal yes she lives way up town
yeah y'know that woman o' mine done an' left me yes she done an' throw'd me down

[Gumbo]

So Many Days
recorded 1946 in NYC



Got me sitting here wondering, great god will a matchbox hold my clothes
Got me sitting here wondering, yeah will a matchbox hold my clothes
You know I ain't got so many matches, woman
great god got such a long way to go

Yeah the blues, yeah the blues how in the world do you do
Yeah the blues, blues how in the world do you do
Yes I'm speaking to you little woman
Oh I can't get along with poor you

Yeah got me sitting here wondering, yeah will a matchbox hold my clothes
Yeah I'm wondering, will a matchbox hold my clothes
Yeah I ain't got nobody, great god to satisfy my soul

Yes, I'm going down in Georgia yeah I'm behind the rising sun
Yes I'm going down in Georgia yeah I'm behind the rising sun
I'm gonna ask the good lord great god what have I done was wrong?

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Ralph Willis recorded "Just A Note" in 1946, backing himself out of E position in standard tuning on a wonderful-sounding electric guitar.  This is terrific guitar-playing, about as good as East Coast playing gets, right up there with the best of Buddy Moss and Blind Boy Fuller.  I taught this song several years ago at Blues Week in Northampton, and it would be really nice if I still knew how to play it.  Oh well, I can learn it again, but it seems so darned inefficient. 
In addition to being a fine guitarist, Ralph Willis was a good singer with a very droll delivery.  He actually reminds me a lot of Bill Cosby in his early years, telling stories.  This is worth seeking out if you've not heard it, and virtually all of his titles (as well as almost all of Gabriel Brown's and Dan Pickett's) can be found on the JSP set "Shake That Thing--East Coast Blues 1935--1953".  Here is "Just A Note":



You know, I'm a stranger, mama, just come in your lonesome town
Yes, I'm a stranger, no-good gal, Ralph did come in your town
Just because I'm a stranger, now, everybody want to try to dog me around

Do you know I got a letter this mornin'?  Wasn't nothin' in it but a note
Yes, I got a letter this mornin', wasnt nothin' in it but a note
You know, I says, I'm rid of that woman, I says, "Gal, I'm not no billy goat."

I say, you may think I'm crazy, your daddy's nobody's fool
Gal, you may think I'm crazy, your daddy's nobody's fool
Lord, before I'd take your doggin', I'll eat grass like a Georgia mule

You know, I'm a stranger, no-good gal, just dropped in your lonesome town
Yes, I'm a stranger, gal, just walked in your lonesome town
Just because I'm a stranger, now, everybody want to try to dog me around (Spoken: Play it on out for me, do like on a dream.)

SOLO

You got a lemon sittin' on your table, one is sittin' up on your shelf
You got a lemon sittin' on your table one's sittin' up on your shelf
If you just let me squeeze your lemon, gal, I 'clare, you want nobody else

I'm gon' tell you, God, want to squeeze it, while I'm sittin' in your lonesome town
Yes, I want to squeeze it, baby, while I'm sittin' in your town
I want you to catch the juice and please don't let it fall on the ground

Edited 7/10/16 to pick up correction from Johnm

All best,
Johnm

 

[banjochris]

No Monkey in the bath ?? Possum up a tree

I don't have these unfortunately but this bit was in the sample on iTunes and it sounds to me like
Y' know monkey and the bearcat, bottom of a tree

Chris

[Gumbo]

Thanks Chris. Bear sounds right  I'm hearing an F rather than a C immediately after ...
Monkey and the bear fight bottom of a tree?
Monkey and the bear, fat possum up a tree?

could be either to my ear ...

I'm really enjoying that Shake that Thing set, all the Ralph Willis and Dan Pickett (i'm not so taken by the Gabriel Brown yet).

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Ralph Willis recorded "I've Been A Fool" at a session in New York City on June 8, 1948, working under the name Alabama Slim. He backed himself out of A position in standard tuning for the song, working much of the same instrumental territory as he had on "Eloise", recorded at the same session. He really was a terrific guitar player--vocally, he had a sort of jocular, or at least light-hearted delivery, so if you're someone who wants or expects the emotions of a troubled soul from a blues musician, Ralph Willis is probably not the singer for you. I expect he was singing to his own personality, and it's hard to fault a person for doing that. Here is "I've Been A Fool":



INTRO

I've been a fool, Great God, throwin' my money away
REFRAIN: Yes, I've been a fool, just throwin' my money away
Yeah, my money done left me, Great God, I'm a fool, have to pay

I used to have a friend, used to come and see me both night and day, since my money left me, that son has gone away
REFRAIN: Yes, I've been a fool, just throwin' my money away
Yeah, my money done left me, Great God, I'm a fool, have to pay

When I had a few dollars, I kept 'em down to the bank, checkin' on my woman friends, now I ain't got a lousy cent
REFRAIN: I've been a fool, just throwin' my money away
Yeah, my money done left me, Great God, I'm a fool, have to pay

I just had a-listened, like my mama said, I could been home now laying, 'cross her bed
REFRAIN: But still I been a fool, just throwin' my money away
Yeah, my money done left me, Great God, I'm a fool, have to pay

When I used to drink whiskey and go to the house, they never tried to throw me out, now I done quit drinkin', when they sees me comin' it's, "Hate old Ralph."
REFRAIN: I been a fool, just throwin' my money away
Yeah, my money done left me, Great God, I'm a fool, have to pay (Spoken: Play it now for me)

SOLO

Mama used to tell me, my daddy used to tell me, too, "Drink a lot of whiskey, soon make a fool of you."
REFRAIN: Well, I been a fool, just throwin' my money away
Yeah, my money done left me, Great God, I'm a fool, have to pay

CODA

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Ralph Willis recorded "Goin' To Virginia" at the same session at which he recorded "Eloise" and "I've Been A Fool", accompanying himself out of E position in standard tuning for the song. His time has a really nice flow on this number. Here is "Goin' To Virginia":



INTRO SOLO

Well, I want to know, girl, what in the world you eat? Make your breath smells like your feet
REFRAIN: Lord, I'm goin' Virginia, I says, yes, Virginia
If the bus don't stop and no train don't turn around

Well, I got a little girl, she's little and low, used to let me do it but she won't no more
REFRAIN: Lord, I'm goin' Virginia, I said, yes, Virginia
If the bus don't stop and no train don't turn around

Well, mama used to tell me, daddy told me too, "Chasin' women gonna be the death of you."
REFRAIN: Said, I'm goin' Virginia, I said, yes, Virginia
If the bus don't stop and no train don't turn around (Spoken: Now play it light.)

SOLO

Well, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, show me a woman that a man can trust
REFRAIN: Lord, I'm goin' Virginia, I said, yes, Virginia
If the bus don't stop and no train don't turn around

Well, I got a little girl, little and low, used to let me do it but she won't no more
REFRAIN: Lord, I'm goin' Virginia, I said, yes, Virginia
If the bus don't stop, Lord, the train don't turn around (Spoken: Play it light for 'em again!)

SOLO

I don't want no woman don't know A from B, she used to be down on my father's corn field
REFRAIN: Still I'm goin' Virginia, I said, yes, Virginia
If the bus don't stop and no train don't turn around

Well, I"m goin' uptown, I'm want spread the news, these old women got me wearin' the brogan shoes
REFRAIN: Still I'm goin' Virginia, I said, yes, Virginia
If the bus don't stop and no train don't turn around

CODA

All best,
Johnm

 

 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Ralph Willis recorded his version of "Shake That Thing" at his second recording session, in New York City in 1946, accompanying himself out of E position in standard tuning. At that time, the song would probably be thought of as an oldie by most blues fans. Ralph Willis delivered it with great relish and good humor--he just sounds so loose and happy. I never realized how talky this rendition is until I went to transcribe it. Here is "Shake That Thing":



INTRO

You know, down in Georgia we got a dance that's new, there ain't nothin' to it, boys, it's easy to do
Lord, it's shake that thing, Lord, it's shake that thing
I'm gettin' sick and tired of tellin' you boys how to shake that thing

You know, Grandpapa Johnson messed around with Sister Kate, he's done a thing just like jelly do on a plate
That man shake that thing, yes, he shake that thing
I'm gettin' sick and tired of tellin' how to shake that thing

Well, there's not nothin' to it, it's easy to do, when you shake it you can feel so good
That's why I love to shake that thing, just shake that thing (Spoken: that's what I'm talkin' 'bout
I'm gettin' just so tired, tellin' you how to shake that thing. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, yeah.)

(Spoken: I done it last night and the night before, if I live to see tonight, I'm gon' just do it a little more
'Cause I like to shake that thing, Lord, shake it!
I'm gettin' sick and tired of tellin' you people how to shake that thing. Now play it on out for me a little bit, now I'll tell you)

SOLO (Spoken: Hear it light. Ain't that pretty? Is it pretty?)

(Spoken: You know, I'm goin' down in Georgia, way behind the sun, I might just ask God, "What was Ralph doin' was wrong?")
I'm gonna shake that thing, Lord, shake that thing
I'm gettin' sick and tired of just tellin' you how to shake that thing

You know, I done it last night, I said the night before, if I live to see tonight I'm gonna do it little more
I'm gonna shake that thing, yes, shake that thing
I'm gettin' sick and tired of tellin' you how to shake that thing (Spoken: Shake it some more, boy)

SOLO (Spoken: Yeah!)

(Spoken: You know, if you shake that thing in the mornin', bright at night, if you shake it, boys, it don't feel right
'Cause I love to shake that thing, shake that thing, yeah that's what I'm talkin' 'bout
I'm gettin' sick and tired, tellin' y'all how to shake that thing)

(Spoken: You know I had a little friend down South, he used to shake it, he used to shake it nice and fine, after he get through shakin' it, boy, I swear he'd lose his mind. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout
But still I'm gettin' sick and tired, tellin' you how to shake that thing)

CODA

All best,
Johnm
 

 


 


 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Ralph Willis recorded "Trouble Don't Last" at the same session at which he recorded "Shake That Thing", accompanying himself out of E position in standard tuning. His accompaniment uses many of the same licks and ideas as he had played on "Just A Note". I really like the way that Ralph Willis varied the refrains on his chorus blues--it gives them a much more spontaneous, in the moment feel than does singing the refrain exactly the same way every time. I'd very much appreciate help with the end of the first line of the fourth verse. I'm not hearing it in any way that makes sense. Here is "Trouble Don't Last":



INTRO

I used to have a friend, used to come see me every day, now she's got big-headed, she won't come, never day, Lord, I
REFRAIN: I'm so glad, trouble don't last alway
I believe, I believe that, trouble gonna follow me to my grave

You know, she looked at me one day, she kind of smile, I told her, "Gal, I know it's not even worthwhile."
REFRAIN: You know I'm just so glad, trouble don't last alway
I believe, I believe, boys, trouble gonna follow me sometime to my grave (Spoken: Yeah, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout)

I had a little money, I give it to her both nights and days, when she got funny, she took my money and then run away
REFRAIN: Yes, I'm just so glad, trouble don't last alway
Sometime I believe that trouble, sure gonna follow me to my grave

You know, her mother come in here, she talk about me, says, soon my back is turned, something that's bad to say
REFRAIN: I said, I'm so glad, trouble don't last alway
Well I believe, I believe that, trouble gonna follow me to my grave (Spoken: Now play something for my rider, and see what I's gonna say)

SOLO (Spoken: Pick it nice now)

You know, when I would spend my money, both night and day, that gal took my money and got drunk and throw it away
REFRAIN: You know, but I'm just so glad, trouble never last alway
But I believe sometime, you know, when you get that bad feeling, trouble gonna run you right into your grave (Spoken: That's what I'm talkin' 'bout)

Well, I had little whiskey in my house, I sell it to my friend, I messed around with her 'til I ain't got nothin' in the end
REFRAIN: Yes, but I'm just so glad, trouble don't last alway
Well, I believe, I believe that, trouble gonna follow me to my grave

CODA

Edited 5/10 to pick up corrections from joe paul and Blues Vintage

All best,
Johnm     




 

[joe paul]

At the first line of the fourth verse I think I hear 'says, soon as my back is turned, something that's bad to say '
That's some sharp playing in there !
Gordon