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Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: Slack on September 21, 2003, 10:08:45 AM
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While waiting for JohnM's new lesson (New Lovin' Blues, which should be here first part of next week) I've been listening to and trying to figure out the lyrics for New Lovin' Blues -- quite a challenge! Maybe on a par with Geechie Wiley for difficulty.
So thought I would post the MP3 and my pass at the lyrics and see if anyone wants to take the challenge - could be some great double entendre in here if we could just get at it.
Here is the MP3, it is a noisy recording. if you have more than one player try them all out - I've found the sound quality varies with players (Winamp the worst, RealOne is medium and Cool Edit the best, it was recorded with Cool Edit).
https://youtu.be/w3NWPrwYQPE
...and my pass at the lryics, feel free to question it all.
New Lovin' Blues
Buddy Moss
I got a new, way of a lovin'
I'll not think that, must be bad (?)
Because these Georgia women just won't
Let poor Buddy Moss rest
Now men, let me tell you
What these doggone, women will do
?? --they'll have your buddy ___???
Play all sick on you
I don't believe, no women
All in this whole round world be right
Act like an angel in the daytime
Buddy but it's the devil at night
My gal, she got something
Ahh and I don't know what it is
?? (I'd really like to know what this line is)
Can't keep my black self still
I got a ??____?? doin' a YoYo
And ??____?? YoYo thing?
Said that what I mean people drive these
Georgia women hollerin' insane
Now my mama, she told me
Ah when I was a little boy playin' mumble peg
Don't take no black _______________???
Don't you eat no black hen's eggs
Now these women, they'll swear
That they'll love you, all their life
And meet another man 'round the corner, ___?
Tell that same lie twice
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Man, what a great song. This'll be my first opportunity to try one of your online lessons, John. Not that I don't still have plenty to work on from PT, not to mention my own agenda. But, I love those bass runs, with lots of double bass notes.
Anyway, here're my possible additions to your first take, Slack. I'll copy your version and make additions, so you don't have to edit.
New Lovin' Blues
Buddy Moss
I got a new, way of a lovin'
Ah, and I think that, must (or might) be bad
Say, because these Georgia women just won't
Let poor Buddy Moss rest
Now men, let me tell you
What these doggone, women will do
?? ...you by your lonesome???
Play all sick on you
I don't believe, no woman
All in this whole round world be right
Act like a angel in the daytime
Buddy but it's the devil at night
My gal, she got something
Ahh and I don't know what it is
So (sounds like bubble??) again back people, 'cause I just
Can't keep my black self still
I got a darn good YoYo
Ah and I mean a Duncan (darn good??) YoYo thing?
Said that what I mean people drive these
Georgia women hollerin' insane
Now my mama, she told me
Ah when I was a little boy playin' mumble peg
No, don't take no black cow's milk, and don't you
Eat no black hen's eggs
Now these women, they'll swear
That they'll love you, all their life
And meet another man 'round the corner, says an'
Tell that same lie twice.
Note in v.3 it's "a angel" and v.7 "a other man.
So that's what I got from listening. Now I'll check Bob McLeod and see if we've got some more possibilities to choose from.
Okay:
v.1 he has "best" to rhyme with "rest"
v.2 "Say, they'll have your buddy lost, and play all sick on you"
v.3 "...buddy, report to the devil at night"
v.4 "Say, but when I get in bed, people, says, I just can't keep my black self still"
v.5 "Certainly that's what I mean, peoples, drive these Georgia womens hollerin', 'Pain'." (Hmmm??-JC)
v.6 "...drink no black cows milk"
Well, that was a pleasurable mornings exercise.
Can't wait to see the lesson. And I've got to pick up those Document CDs
All for now.
John C
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Excellent job JohnC!
I'll incorporate and edit the 'master' sheet (gotta edit it somewhere JohnC and just as easy here).
<<note in v.3 it's "a angel" and v.7 "a other man.>>
Yes, indeed.
I've got a few comments on Bob Mcleod's reading though:
Okay:
<<v.1 he has "best" to rhyme with "rest">>
Excellent, I heard this too on the way back from the airport and it always maks sense to rhyme.
<<v.2 "Say, they'll have your buddy lost, and play all sick on you">>
I question this, there is an extra syllable after "lost" and it doesn't make sense.
<<v.3 "...buddy, report to the devil at night">>
I like our ears better on this one... eg "but it's the devil at night" (you don't report to no woman, that's being a traitor to your gender! ;D )
<<v.4 "Say, but when I get in bed, people, says, I just can't keep my black self still">>
A bold phrase, but cannot really argue with it.
<<v.5 "Certainly that's what I mean, peoples, drive these Georgia womens hollerin', 'Pain'." (Hmmm??-JC)>>
I agree, hmmmm? Maybe it's hollerin' "in vain"? I like in vain or insane, much better than in pain.
<<v.6 "...drink no black cows milk">>
Excellent.
cheers,
slack
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Hi,
Thanks, John D. for posting the tune and doing a lot of heavy lifting on the lyric transcription, and John C. for the input, too. It is really a great tune, isn't it? I'm gonna take my crack at the lyrics--
I got a new way of loving
Oh, and I think that must be best
Because these Georgia women just won't
Let poor Buddy Moss rest
Now men, let me tell you
What these double-crossin' womens'll do
Son, they will have your buddy, Lord,
Son, play all sick on you.
I don't believe no woman
Lord, in this whole round world do right
Act like a angel in the daytime
Buddy, but they're the devil at night
My gal, she got something
Oh, and I don't know what it is
Says, "Papa, when I get in bed", people, says
"I just can't keep my black self still."
I got a darn good yoyo
Oh, and I mean a darn good yoyo string
Says that's what I mean, people,
Drive these Georgia womens' heart in pain
Now my mama, she told me
Ah, when I was a little boy playing mumblepeg
"Son, don't take no black cow's milk
And don't you eat no black hen's egg."
Now these women, they'll swear
That they love you all their life
And meet a other man round the corner, says, and
Tell that same lie twice
That line on mumblety peg is a great find. I don't know if I would have heard that in a million years. I had to listen to this so many times when I was transcribing it, I got the sound of it in my head pretty well! End of the sixth verse, I like the meaning of insane better, but it sures sounds like in pain. It's about as much fun trying to figure out the lyrics as it is the guitar part.
all best,
John
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Looks great to me JohnM, I'll listen to the 'heart in pain' line again with fresh ears and also listen to "Oh, and I think that must be best" - whcih I'm not sure if it works phonetically... anyway, I take it back, it is easier than Geechie. Amazing what seems initially like a completely uninteligble phrase can be figured out - lots of fun!
I got mumbly peg by thinking of childs games and I suppose it came to me because I played some very simple version as a boy (always messing with knives)... yes, a real coup! ;) But the game is quite involved, check out this site for more info:
Mumbly Peg (http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/games/beard/mumbly_peg.htm)
(Looking at the site again, I probably learned to play it as a Cub Scout. )
cheers,
slack
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Great work on the yoyo verse John - I was stumped on 'darn', mainly because of the pause following it. Of course, once you hear it correctly, it's clear as a bell.
In three of the verses, I hear something a little different than what you have written, but only subtly:
v2
Now men, let me tell you
What these doggone, women will do
That they'll have your body lonesome
Play all sick on you.
v4
My gal, she got something
Ahh and I don't know what it is
_______ now get back people ‘cause
I just can't keep my black self still.
[Note: That third line is a killer.]
v6
Now my Mama, she told me
Ah when I was a little boy playin' mumble peg
No, don't take no black cow's milk,
And don't you eat no black hen's egg.
[Note: Black hens figure in hoodoo folklore - if you carry one on nine trips to the crossroads, you too can learn to perform magic tricks.]
The third line of verse 4 still eludes me. I hear exactly what you have written for all the other verses, including the "in pain' line.
I got a chuckle from some of the lines suggested in Bob MacLeod's transcription. In the end, these country blues lyrics tend to make sense once you have them right. His don't!
By the way, the game is mumbly peg, but Moss clearly says 'mumble'. I don't know what the origins are - probably British? It is usually played by juvenille boys who want to demonstrate their bravado by going through a series of knife trick challenges or levels. When you fail at one of the levels and your opponent successfully moves on the the next one, he gets to drive a peg into the ground (with his knife handle) and you have to dig it out like a rooting hog (no hands!). Ah, to be a Boy Scout again.
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Oh, yeah, JohnM, you really nailed those tough spots. Brilliant that you got the sense he was quoting his woman.
Woops, hey FP, I just noticed you must have posted before I selected Reply. Well, actually, what I like about JohnM's solutions are that they refer back to the initial premise, i.e. Buddy's sexual prowess. And, I think they sound pretty "darn good". (But gee, nobody likes "Duncan YoYo string"?) Man, I keep listening to the song over and over and I like the piece more each time. I think it'll sound great on a reso. Dai Thomas has him documented with an L-OO and a Kay Kraft. Hmm. Anyway, after many more listenings, I really like what you came up with JohnM. A few tiny suggestions in the spirit of completeness:
v.1, l.3 Seems like a quick "say" before "because"
v.2, l.3-4 I think the little bridge is reversed, "..Lord, say 'n', play..." and spoken as one sylable (probably a typo?)
v.3, l.3 (also a typo) as discussed above, "a angel"
Everything else really works. Boy, it'll take a certain boldness to perform this song well. Kinda like the last verse of Meat Shakin' Woman, but moreso.
I, too, was a mumbley peg player, although the levels described in the link you provided, Slack, go way beyond our game. We did do most of the body parts, though. Stretch was another favorite knife game.
All for now.
John C.
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Hi all,
Just a couple of more things on these lyrics. I went back and I think the line ends:
They will have your buddy, Lord, son,
Play all sick on you.
I'm dubious about Buddy referring to his "body" in a song lyric, Bill. I think he was a little too shy to make a reference like that. (heh heh) Actually, I opt for buddy because Curley Weaver copped a high percentage of these verses for his song "Ticket Agent", recorded around 1951, and he clearly says "buddy" there.
The verse ending "in pain" makes sense if you think of it in the Bo Carter "hurts so good" context.
I am familiar with mumblepeg, which we always called mumbletypeg, but never chose to play it because it required too much skill, sort of like the billiards of knife games. I always opted for stretch, which rewarded luck.
All best,
John
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Really a nice job all - JohnM, I think you definately put the finishing touches on it.
FP, I had no idea you were upper middle class - or is that just in Canadian dollars? (there is a smart ass in every crowd.)
JohnC, yes I liked "Duncan" YoYo!... it had the makings of a great double entendre with "Dunkin" YoYo (hee).
cheers,
slack
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Slackjaw writes (re: Lyrics thread under forum):
> FP, I had no idea you were upper middle class - or is that just in Canadian dollars?
Canadian dollars - yes. But I don't think I said that. In fact is was Uncle Bud who lamented:
> As a Canadian living a very urban life, more or less comfortably ....
which I then took the libery of extrapolating to:
> UB mentions the difficulty which an upper middle class urban dweller ....
albeit, in a generic sense, in reference to the challenge of lyrically describing situations and experiences that are more typically the domain of different segments within society.
---snip---
There is no official definition of the middle class, no agreed upon classification of those who are middle class and those who are not. However, the notion of the middle class is central to modern American life. Middle class concepts are pervasive and most Americans would identify themselves as middle class — either lower middle class or upper middle class — rather than working class or wealthy (Parker, 1972). This conceptualization of the middle class has grown out of notions embedded in the American idea of equality and the ideals of upward mobility. There is a strong feeling that the United States is a nation, at least for white America, with a broad homogeneous social middle class.
Levy and Michel (1986) suggest, that although the standard is not officially defined anywhere, it exists in subtle forms from casual conversation to television advertisements. The standard includes material goods, a home and at least one car, other consumer items like televisions, dishwashers, personal computers, but also the funds to educate and raise healthy children and provide support for a comfortable retirement. It is tied to educational attainment and occupation but beyond these generalizations it is difficult to provide a universally accepted definition.
Definitions of the middle class are also complicated because the basket of material goods that has been associated with middle class life-styles has changed over time. For example, a two bath, two car home is now closer to the norm for most middle class households than the one bath-one car home of the 1950s. The composition of the household has changed too, from one worker to two earners. This shifting economic and demographic context makes it difficult to place boundaries on the middle class. Although definitions are not straight-forward, and in the end are inextricably dependent on the quantitative measures that we use, it is possible to provide a range within which we can examine the progress of the population as a whole and the progress of major ethnic groups of the population.
---unsnip---
So, maybe I am upper middle class. I'll have to go home and check my 'basket' of consumer goods. One thing I know is that it doesn't currently include a National Style 'O'! However, I'm going to pay a visit on a gentleman who has one for sale, listed in the local Bargain Finder for a mere $2500, claiming to have paid $3,500 a year ago, but who is unable to demonstrate much knowledge about the instrument. My interest will be focussed on the serial number of the instrument offered for sale. More later!
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Hey FP,
Don't get me started on the so called "upper" middle class. Just a term devised to make the middle class think they're closer to the rich than the poor. Which they ain't, by a long shot There are really only two classes. Those that have whatever they want whenever they want it (less than 10% of the pop.) and those who actually have very little freedom by comparison (but lots of "stuff" that they're constantly afraid of losing). Enough, now I'm depressed and it's still early. This is why I'm on a news fast.
Good luck with the Style O. I know how much I cherish mine, both for its tonal qualities and its mojo. I really hope it turns out to be yours and that you can reclaim it. Please be careful.
All for now.
John C.
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FP, well I certainly deserve that for not reading your post more carefully! (no wonder it didn;t sound like you -- it must be my rushed urban middle class lifestyle. ;) )
Yep, keep us posted on the Style O!
cheers,
slack
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Hey Slack - sorry if I came across as giving you a hard time over being 'middle class' - I definitely have the middle for it! I'm afraid we're all middle class, and maybe even upper? Perfect qualifications for being a country bluesman. At least I own some property in the country!
Re: National Style 'O' - my visit on Thursday encountered a pretty good deal on a virtually brand new instrument for which the (desperate) seller had all the papers necessary to convince me that the guitar is legitimately his. It's the usual case of falling on hard times and needing to get rid of a few material possessions to make ends meet. He won $250,000 in a lottery a year ago, spent it all, and is now looking for work. I'm sure there's a blues song in his story. It might be a good interim replacement, but as JohnC notes, and others will certainly agree, a peculiar bond forms between the player and instruments that 'sound good' and have a 'history'. I'm remain in the 'faint hope of recovery' mode.
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Things have been pretty busy of late, so not much time to browse here or watch PBS - but like Uncle Bud, I have it on tape and will get to it - someday. However, with a couple of long road trips, I did have a chance to listen to the JSP compilation releases for both Blind Willie McTell and Blind Blake. After struggling with Buddy Moss's lyrics a few weeks ago, my ears nearly popped off my head when I heard some of the same verses in various McTell songs. The one that first got my attention was about 'mumblepeg' and the 'black cow's milk'black chicken's egg'. As I listened through a second time, I heard slight variations on almost all of Buddy's song, but with the verses spread out one at a time (almost verbatim) across a half a dozen songs. I think McTell is a lot easier to decipher. As a younger contemporary of McTell's who hung with him for a few years, I'm guessing that Buddy just helped himself to whatever verses he liked.
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Hey FP,
What you're describing is such a constant occurance for me. I'm really still such a babe, albeit a passionate one, when it comes to prewar blues. I came back to the guitar, after a 30 year hiatus to do theatre, less than three years ago. For some reason I headed straight for prewar blues. I guess I was drawn to the primarily solo nature of this style, having gotten pretty frustrated with the difficulties of artistic collaboration (great when it works, tho'). But I am still slowly working my way through the pantheon of artists and music. At first I'd hear a line and think, oh so this is the song that line comes from, like "Laid down last night tried to take my rest". Laughable, hunh? Now I probably know about five. So, I'm thinking there must be some material about BM in Red River Blues, a book I'm thinking I'll read soon. Any recommendations?
All for now.
John C.
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John - there are lots of song fragments that have been 'borrowed' back and forth in the blues, but the verbatim recurrence of such obscure lyrics was what grabbed my attention. I guess that having recently given 'New Lovin' Blues' some serious listening time made those oddball verses jump out of the McTell material.
There is plenty of material on Buddy Moss in 'Red River Blues' . While the book contains a lot of info that was (fortunately) captured before the sources expired, I found it to be a pretty academic treatise. I tend to be more interested in either analysis of the music/lyrics, interviews or narratives. That said, Buddy's place in the blues pantheon is memorilaized in 'Red River Blues' and the book belongs on the shelf of anyone serious about learning blues history.
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Hi Bill,
Thanks for the tip. Who was the author of "Red River Blues", and who published it? I am not familiar with the title.
All Best,
John
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FP.
I knew what you we're sayin'. I meant that it didn't take anything so oddball to register on my meter.
Thanks for the info on RRB I figure after working my way through the three academic treatise in Yonder Fell The Blues (actually I'm rereading Savannah Syncopaters) RRB shouldn't be to rough. Most of what I've read is pretty Delta oriented, so there'll be lots of new info for me. Perhaps I'm reliving my college years, which, the first time around as a Theatre major, involved very little academic research. And, having been somewhat shocked by the lack of awareness of what is essentially basic US history (Jim Crow era) on the part of many posters on other forums (not to mention directors of PBS specials), I have been inspired to learn as much as I can of the times and people that created the blues, and to present that as a part of my performances. And. hell, I enjoy it. Beats current US history.
All for now.
John C.
P.S. Just notice your post JohnM. Bruce Baskin. It's on our Amazon list.
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JohnM -
'Red River Blues' (The Blues Tradition in the Southeast) was written by Bruce Bastin, and was published by the University of Illinois Press.
398 pages. 6 x 9 inches
ISBN 0-252-06521-2. $17.95
Music / African American Studies
The book was released in paperback (1995) but may be out of print - so check Powell's first; that's where I got my copy about 3 years ago. Bastin runs this little outfit:
http://www.interstate-music.co.uk/
You might also want to check this one out - finally, Bert Williams CDs!
http://www.archeophone.com/
JohnC - I agree with your observation about the fascinating aspects of history that emerge when you start reading contextual material surrounding the blues. I often wonder why this material can't be used to make history more interesting in middle and high schools. Floods, tunnels, politics, racial repression, hoodoo - all stuff that barely gets mentioned in the conventional curriculum. I have been busy discovering my family's American roots, and just last weekend learned that I am a fifth cousin twice removed of the recently deceased Johnny Cash 9probalby explians my single octave range!). I have a Cash family bible dating to the 1840s in my possession (very ratty and water damaged, but contains records of the usual 'begat' stuff). On another tangent, last year, listmembers sorted out the lyrics to "Johnson City Blues" - it contained references going back into the Civil War. It was very cool to read these lyrics in a cultural, regional and historical context.
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The book was released in paperback (1995) but may be out of print - so check Powell's first; that's where I got my copy about 3 years ago. Bastin runs this little outfit:
Ahem FP! you're supposed to be pointing folks toward our Amazon affiliate book page! :P (thanks JohnC) ...which has the book for $18.95 and ships in 24 hours.
;D
cheers,
slack
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OOPS! You mean it's not Bruce Baskin of Baskin & Robbins? I even looked to check the first name and didn't notice I had the last name wrong.
All for now.
John C.
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Slack - sorry about missing the Affiliate. It will take me a while to get into this customer loyalty thing. just had good luck with Powell's when looking for used or out-of-print books. I have never tried Amazon in this capacity.
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Hi Bill,
I would have missed the Amazon affiliation too. I admit to being slow to pick up on the links. A couple of posts back you remarked on how it was not all that common for one Blues to lift a number of verses intact from a pre-existing recorded number. Thinking along those lines but more in the realm of pure sound, I think it is amazing how much the Georgia players Fred McMullen, Curley Weaver and Buddy Moss sounded alike when playing slide. Players generally seem to sound pretty different from each other when playing slide, with regard to tone, vibrato, etc., but these guys were like peas in a pod. I suppose McMullen was a bit more adroit than the other two, but they were amazingly similar. It is interesting, too, because it is a whole school of slide (and duet) playing that was very highly evolved and seems to be utterly neglected. When you hear Fred McMullen play "Wait and Listen" in Open G in the key of D, or "Man of My Own" behind Ruth Willis, it is pretty hard to beat.
Good to see the rapid-fire responses and repartee here lately--it's been a bit slow. And I'll add, just in case anyone missed it, that a new lesson on Buddy Moss's "New Lovin' Blues", has been posted by John D., and thanks to him.
All best,
John
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-Attached mp3 sample and Lyrics rough draft-
https://youtu.be/j_2etAAuqV8
Anyone feel like helping me with this one? I have it mostly figured out but some of the meanings and words are not 100% clear to me.
I know what the first part means about smoking 1 in the morning and another at night and he choked on the first one and held the second one too tight.
The part I'm having trouble with is the part blaming hoover for the economy and the price of Chesterfields. He's saying something about ducks or bucks that he saved. I hear "I raved he's crazy bout the ducks he should have saved". I don't know if he just patched that line together or not. But that and wondering if Golden Grain might have been a brand of cigarettes he had to smoke, or what that might mean.
This song seems set in the 1930 era but recorded in the early 60s. It's a G rag and it's an almost xerox copy of Curley Weaver's Tricks Aint Walkin.
Thanks any advice,
LB
rough draft
Chesterfield Blues ? Buddy Moss ? Rediscovery recordings 1960s Atlanta
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Smoke one in the morning one at night, choked on?te other un , holt the other one too tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
I?ve a father who out in Washington hoover?ll be his name, took me of my good chesterfields and he stuck me on golden grain
Now I raved he?s crazy about the ducks they should have saved
Smoke one in the morning one at night, choked on?te other un , holt the other one too tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, I mean, boys is hard to find
-Instrumental break-
Well it?s Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Smoke one in the morning one at night, choked on?te other un , holt the other one too tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, you hear me talking, you see me walkin, I mean, boys is hard to find.
-Instrumental break-
Yes, Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Smoke one in the morning one at night, choked ?te other un , holt the other one too tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, you hear me screaming, Boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
I?m beginning to wonder why Chesterfields has gone so high
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, I mean, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Smoke one in the morning one at night, choked on?te other un , holt the other one too tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, I mean, boys is hard to find
[attachment deleted by admin]
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I?ve a father who out in Washington hoover?ll be his name, took me of my good chesterfields and he stuck me on golden grain
Now I raved he?s crazy about the ducks they should have saved
Tough one, but I think there are more irreverent religious references.
I've a father who art in Washington.
Now I raved, yes I prayed about the ducks...
What is the duck reference? weird...
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The song is discussed in Guido van Rijn's Roosevelt Blues (Miss. UP 1997, p.17).
Golden Grain was a cheap powdered rolling tobacco and "duck" a usage for cigarette butt.
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Golden Grain was a cheap powdered rolling tobacco and "duck" a usage for cigarette butt.
Thanks BH. Makes sense now... a cigarette rolled from saved Chesterfield "ducks" is far superior to a rolled Golden Grain. Ah, the joys of nicotine addiction.
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I agree with Stack about the "art" -- which makes the line parallel the Lord's Prayer ("Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name") nicely. I'm not hearing the prayed in the second line though.
Here's what I hear:
I've a Father who art in Washington, Hoover'll be his name
Took me off my good Chesterfields and he stuck me on Golden Grain
Now I raved, yes I craved, about the ducks they should have saved...
With Bunker's information about what the duck meant (thanks!), I'm actually hearing it where you have: "Choked on'te other one".
I'm hearing something like: "choked my/your duck,and holt the other too tight..." (first verse I hear my, second I hear your)
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FWIW here's GvR's view of it all
It is evident from the blues lyrics that the black population ignored Hoover as much as he did them. Several "hard time" blues were recorded from 1929 to 1933, but President Herbert Hoover's name is mentioned only sporadically, and then in a circumstantial manner. Hoover's name was used as late as 1966 in a blues nominally about Chesterfield cigarettes, which were held up as an example of luxuries that had to be foregone in hard times. The singer was Georgia blues guitarist Eugene "Buddy" Moss (1906-1984), who had sung the blues in Atlanta when Hoover was president:
chorus:
Chesterfield, these days, boys, is hard to find,
Smoke one in the morning, one at night,
Choke my duck and hold the other two tight,
Chesterfield, these days, boys, is hard to find,
Our father, who art in Washington, Hoover will be his name,
Took me off my good Chesterfield, and stuck me on Golden Grain.
Now, I rave,
Yes, I crave 'bout the ducks I should have saved.
I begin to wonder why Chesterfield is gone so high.
For this song the wording of the Lord's Prayer was parodied, a daring gimmick that would not have been appreciated by everybody. As this would certainly have been unacceptable in the thirties, no original recording from the time when Moss probably first sang the song exists. "Golden Grain" was "powder," a cheap rolling tobacco
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Thanks, BH. I've heard this song many times but never paid attention to the lyrics. Rather witty, aren't they.
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Thanks for posting this, I didn't have Buddy Moss's version and was looking for the lyrics for adding to the 'brands & products' list. I do have John Jackson's recording on Back Porch Blues. It doesn't throw much light on the original being a filtered version lyrically, though it does smoke in places. Sorry to butt in.
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-G-
All for now.
John C
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Thanks again for another enlightening exchange as always. It seems the folks here in Atlanta that knew Buddy are pretty firm on what he meant on part of these lyrics but I often hear several different takes on these lines. I think what is said here on this thread includes the closest I've seen to what was really being said and the meanings behind it. Buddy Moss if memory serves me was about 19 years old in 1933 when he recorded in NY with many of the other veteran players and recorded all his most successful sides. He was in jail in Greene County Ga by 1935 time frame and I think Hoover was out of office in 33' too. And hearing the Curley Weaver style execution of this G rag in the 1960s is such a funny circle of music. Very cool stuff. Especially how they walk up that 5th string on the turnaround. Another thing that is real fun is sticking Curley's Tricks style licks into this song. It really gives a pretty big song. If this thing had another good verse it would be hell on wheels. Last thing to say about the playing part. This swingy jazzy groove he puts on this G rag was a real trigger for me. I've never felt 100% comfortable with my Trick's Aint Walkin rendition of this G rag but when I started learning Chesterfield it locked in like a vault door. This song with Tricks verses sprinkled into it makes a wonderful Atlanta blues medley. I performed it for Cora Mae Bryant today at her house. SHe grew up with Buddy Moss coming home after gigs with her father Curley and as shes says "Buddy always carried bubble gum in his coat pocket". I avoid sometimes asking her a million questions because she's 81 and doesn't have a lot of patience for people asking much about Buddy Moss... Long story but thanks again for all this help. I think I'll go over and mash the maximum DONATION button on Weenie Campbell's left hand column as I sign off tonight. This is the best blues site on the net bar none. Sorry for the rambling... ;)
LB
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For this song the wording of the Lord's Prayer was parodied, a daring gimmick that would not have been appreciated by everybody. As this would certainly have been unacceptable in the thirties, no original recording from the time when Moss probably first sang the song exists.
I can't think that this is the reason no original recording exists, as plenty of other songs recorded back then contained parodies of sacred material. Unless there was some sort of policy change, as with the Hays Office in Hollywood -- you could do stuff in 1929 that you weren't allowed to in 1933.
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On behalf of everybody LB thanks for the kind words.
All here who've been involved with keeping the thing going since 98, when it sputtered into life as a simple text mailing list, appreciate your comments. It's really a joy and something of a surprise that it's evolved so well with many great regular contributers including yourself. I'm sure the many who are more disposed to just lurking get just as much enjoyment from it.
So on behalf of Slack and the ramshackle work gang at virtual weenie mansions, thanks again for your comments, much appreciated.
Hey, I just realized we're in our 10th anniversary year. Partyyyyyy!!
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And thanks for the bucks LB - those are appreciated too! ;D
Hey, I just realized we're in our 10th anniversary year. Partyyyyyy!!
Woot! Woot!
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WC Rocks thanks to yall.
Hey guys guess what? Chesterfields are hard to find but I bought an old unopened antique pack on Ebay. I tend to collect a lot of memorabilia and this might fit into a display of Atlanta blues stuff one day.
I don't smoke cigarettes but I know these would have been a true hard core smoker's brand!
see JPG, also picked up a Joe Louis promo, Ebay is dangerous!
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Hi all,
Buddy Moss recorded "Oh Lordy Mama" at a session in New York City on August 8, 1934. He was nineteen or twenty years old at the time, but you would never have guessed it from the degree of poise he showed in the session and how fully evolved his style was, even at that very early stage. He played the song out of E position in standard tuning, and it employs a phrasing archetype that is discussed in the "Blues Forms and Vocal Phrasing" thread here: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=60&topic=924.msg7419#msg7419
At the tempo Buddy took the song, it was pretty sporting trying to get the words out in time, for there are a lot of them. What a powerful singer and player he was.
https://youtu.be/xj1H0-dH4tY
Meet me down at the river, you can bring me my shoes and clothes, oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Said, meet me down at the river, bring me my shoes and clothes
Says, I ain't got so many but I got so far to go
Woman I love, she done caught that Southern train, oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Said, the woman I love, she caught that Southern train
Now, she left me here, heart just an aching pain
Goin' away to leave you 'cause you' cryin' ain't gonna make me stay, oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Said, I'm goin' and leave you 'cause your cryin' won't make me stay
I may be back in June, may be the first of May
Woman I love, says, she right down on the ground, oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Said now, the woman I love, right down on the ground
Now, she's a tailor-made woman, ain't no hand-me-down
Tell me what time do that train leave your town, oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Said now, tell me what time do that train leave your town
Said now, "One leave at 8:00, one leave at quarter past 9:00."
Seaboard goes south at 8:00, babe, Southern goes north at 9:00, oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Said now, Seaboard goes south at 8:00, babe, Southern goes north at 9:00
Says, I just got one hour, talk with that gal of mine
All best,
Johnm
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I'm curious what the earliest recorded version of this song is. So far, poking through B&GR, Buddy Moss is it. It gets covered a lot, Blind Boy Fuller, Curley Weaver, Brownie McGhee, Bumble Bee Slim, Shirley Griffith, Pink Anderson. Did it originate with Buddy?
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On The George Mitchell Collection, there's a recording titled "Hey Lawdy Mama" done in 1963 that has similar lyrics (minus verse four).
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30 something years later Buddy recorded the same lyrics. Listen to "Atlanta Blues Legend".
I've been struggling for months to get the vocal timing right on this song it's such squeeze to get the words in smoothly......must check out the thread John mentioned.
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Buddy may have been a son-of-a-bitch, but he was a STUNNING musician! His own worst enemy. "Ride to Your Funeral in a V-8" was prescient.
Peter B.
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Hi all,
With three lyric threads and the prospect of others, Buddy Moss seemed another good candidate for a merged lyric thread.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Buddy Moss recorded "Unkind Woman" at a session in New York City on July 30, 1934 that yielded one other tune, the spectacular "New Lovin' Blues". "Unkind Woman", which Buddy played out of E position in standard tuning, perhaps even surpasses "New Lovin' Blues" in terms of instrumental fireworks. Both Buddy's singing and playing show a startling assuredness for a young man of nineteen or twenty. Like Leroy Carr and Louis Hayes, Buddy Moss liked to cram a lot of syllables into his lyrics. This performance can be found on "Buddy Moss, Volume 2", Document Records DOCD-5124.
https://youtu.be/UNw5o0kSgds
Now, my baby told me she loved me, but I found out that she was lyin'
Now, my baby told me she loved me, but I found out that she was lyin'
Every time I think how my baby did me, I just can not keep from cryin'
Say, but someday, babe, and it won't be long
Says, someday, babe, and it won't be long
Say, you're gonna want for your daddy, woman, but I mean, and I will be gone
Mmmm, Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawd
Mmmm, Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawd
Say, I love you, woman, but you won't act right at all
SOLO
If you don't want me, woman, why don't you let me be?
Now, if you don't want me, woman, why don't you let me be?
Said, there's a-plenty more women that really cares for me
Mmmm, my baby, she don't treat me kind no more
Said, my babe, she don't treat me kind no more
Because every day she treats me worser than the day before
All best,
John
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Hi all,
Buddy Moss recorded "Insane Blues" on August 7, 1934, about a week after recording "New Lovin' Blues" and "Unkind Woman". Buddy was entering a stretch where he would in the course of three days, August 7-9, record 12 spectacular titles. He played "Insane Blues" out of C position in standard tuning, and his accompaniment utilizes the rapid-fire brushed triplets that were a favorite of his in these sessions.
https://youtu.be/hp1WQm6qKcI
Blues and trouble, and I mean, they will drive you wild
Says now, blues and trouble, and I mean, they will drive you wild
They won't only drive you crazy, they'll make you commit suicide
I had the blues so long, I don't hardly know my name
I've had the blues so long, I don't hardly know my name
And if they worry me much longer, they will drive poor me insane
SOLO
Some people say blues ain't nothin', but they'll make you feel awful blue
Some people say blues ain't nothin', but they'll make you feel awful blue
And if the woman you love done quit you, make you do things you don't want to do
Blues, oh blues, why do you worry me this-a-way?
Said now, blues, oh blues, why'd you worry me this-a-way?
I've got to find my woman, well, she can drive my blues away
All best,
Johnm
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Bumping up. I forgot about this thread and how good it was but I also thought Josh White might have been one of the first to make this song "Oh Lawdy Mama" popular. It has been hinted by families in the Covington area that there were connections, even in blood, between Weaver and White. There are some connections and facts that were held private and unfortunately many of the people that knew all these legends in person have gone. I do think it's amazing that when I played a Josh White version, from 1928?, The Weaver family members listening asked me where I got that rendition of their Grandfather singing "his" song. Although I don't have any idea if Weaver actually wrote all the songs his family lays claim to. His family also claims "Wee Midnight Hour" is his and I clearly think that one is Leroy Carr... Sometimes you can hear within songs which artist had the most advanced and developed version. One that seemed to fit them more like a glove.
From all the stories I've heard, and my skin tone, I'd have been real careful going up to Moss's door and knocking. I would have paid good money to have a weekend to sit and listen to his stories. People that knew him all say he was quite a pistol and fully capable of fulfilling any threats he made. Some of the stories I can't even repeat but he must have had some serious fire in his personality. Not to mention a lot of anger. I dont necessarily think he was an SOB to everyone. Although some of the musicians he allowed to play with him toward the end were not even close to being in his class.
I remember a lot of my older friends voicing serious regret for not driving to see him perform in those last years. He performed in Macon and I think for the hall of fame and many people I know said they saw the poster, I think in the late 60s, and didn't even know who he was. That blows my mind. People IN Georgia are sadly the last people to often appreciate the greatness. Musicians here spend most their time studying Chicago style electric blues, SRV and Allman Bro.
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Hi all,
Buddy Moss recorded "Someday Baby (I'll Have Mine) at a session in New York City on August 9, 1934. He accompanies himself out of E position in standard tuning, and his instrumental approach for the song is interesting. He opens with a lick that Lonnie Johnson used in backing Texas Alexander, on "Levee Camp Moan" and "Section Gang Blues". Buddy also adopts a vocal mannerism of Texas Alexander's, a way of ascending melodically at the end of his lines. It's a tremendously assured performance all the way around for Buddy Moss, like everything he did at his New York solo sessions July 30--August 11, 1934. He accords equal space for the guitar and his singing for the song, or even perhaps a bit more space for the guitar. His playing always had a beautiful finish. Listening to him, it's hard to believe how young he was, just nineteen or twenty at the time.
https://youtu.be/suED6kEOfh8
SOLO
Babe, I used to have money, but now I ain't got none
Babe, I used to have money, but now I ain't got none
Still, I'm confidential, someday I'll have some
SOLO: (Spoken during solo: My money comes, and it ain't gonna be no year. I know the mens that be owning this stuff will sure be here.)
Now, be easy on me, woman, I ain't got a lousy dime
Be easy on me, woman, I ain't got a lousy dime
You've got yours now, someday I'll have mine
SOLO
Mmmm, please, baby, listen to what I got to say
Please hear me, baby, listen to what I got to say
I'm down now, woman, I'm gonna rise someday
All best,
Johnm
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My stab at another one...
When The Hearse Roll Me From My Door
https://youtu.be/_7JqE1KtARM
When that hearse come, and roll me from my door
When that hearse come babe, and roll me from my door
Carry me to some lonesome graveyard, then you won't see me no more
And I know you gonna feel bad, you think how much you done me wrong
Yes I know you gonna feel bad, you think how much you done me wrong
Well just before that day come woman, gonna forgive you for all that you have done
Yes I know you gonna need me, But it won't do you no good
Said now I know you gonna need me babe, but it won't do you no good
You better stop mistreatin me now, and treat me as you should
Solo - Spoken: Ah, won't it be lonesome
I don't want you to grieve, I don't want you to weep and moan
I don't want you to grieve, I don't want you to weep and moan
I remember when I was sick on my bed, and you drove me 'way from home
Yes and when you're out babe, having a time with your other men
Yes and when you're out babe, having a time with your other men
I want you to remember, that I once have been your friend
solo - spoken: Ah I know you gonna need me babe. It won't do you no good.
Thanks,
Scott
edited 6/24/12 with help from Johnm
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Thanks for posting that, Scott, it looks great. I only heard a couple of little differences.
In 1.3, I think it is, "Carry me to some lonesome graveyard, THEN you won't see me no more
In 2.3, I heard, "Well, just before that day come woman, gonna forgive you for all that you HAVE done
In 4.1 and 4.2, I think there's a swallowed "I don't want you to grieve, I don't want you TO weep and moan"
Like I said, this is minor stuff. Feel free to post some more, it's more fun when more folks get involved.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John - made the corrections. Completely agree with the first two. I still don't really "hear" the swallowed "TO" in 4.1 and 4.2 but I trust your ears more than mine (also, I am listening to MP3 quality and you probably have the CD). Interesting on 4.1 and 4.2 that he would have the same low level of volume on the same word but it is the same phrase with the same delivery so it would be consistent.
Thanks again - Scott
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Too Dog Gone Jealous
https://youtu.be/y8dIlJkUxJc
Baby says I mean you too dog gone jealous
Gonna drive me 'way from home
Baby says I mean too dog gone jealous
Usually when I ain't done nothin wrong
You dog and nag me each and every day
I can't go on livin', baby that way
Baby said I mean you too dog gone jealous
Gonna drive me 'way from home, ain't comin back
Gonna drive me 'way from home
Baby says I mean you too dog gone jealous
Gonna drive me 'way from home
Baby says I mean you too dog gone jealous
Usually when I ain't done nothin wrong
I try to treat you right and don't even run around
You keep on nag me baby I'm gonna leave this town
Woman says I mean you too dog gone jealous
Gonna drive me 'way from home, hear me talkin
Gonna drive me 'way from home, I mean it babe
Gonna drive me 'way from home
Solo
Now baby says I mean too dog gone jealous
Gonna drive me 'way from home
Baby says I mean you too dog gone jealous
Usually when I ain't done nothin wrong
You don't treat me like you ought to do
I'm gonna get me a woman baby that will do
Baby says I mean you too dog gone jealous
Gonna drive me 'way from home, I say
Gonna drive me 'way from home, I mean it
Gonna drive me 'way from home
Now baby says I mean you too dog gone jealous
Gonna drive me 'way from home
Baby says I mean you too dog gone jealous
Usually when I ain't done nothin wrong
Gotta take you woman, for my wife
I don't want a woman worry me out of my life
Baby says I mean you too dog gone jealous
Gonna drive me 'way from home, I say
Gonna drive me way from home
Thanks,
Scott
edited 6/25/12 with help from JohnM
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From earlier in the post - are Chesterfield and Unkind Woman finalized or do they need more work?
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Hi Scott,
Thanks for your work on this, it's great. "Unkind Woman" is finalized and entered in Weeniepedia, but "Chesterfield" is not. I don't have the recording of it, but if you do and want to check it and either make suggestions for changes or call it good as far as you're concerned, I think it is very close.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John - I'll look at Chesterfield and try to finalize.
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Tricks Ain't Walking No More
https://youtu.be/feWOKPuY0GQ
Solo - intro
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more, I say
Stay 'way from my door
I got a gal say she lives upstairs
She makes my daddy's livin' by puttin on airs
Cause Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more, I say
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more, baby
Stay 'way from my door
Two fat womens layin in the shade
Waitin on the money that their monkey mens made
Cause Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more, I say
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Solo
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Stay 'way from my door
Walkin 'round here nothin but skin and bones
You'll never get fat long as Depression is on
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more, I say
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Solo
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Stay 'way from my door
They run the soup house everyday
Tryin to drive the Depression away
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Tricks ain't walkin no more, I say
Tricks ain't walkin no more
Any help on verse 1?
Thanks,
Scott
modified 6/25/12 with help from Johnm
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Stinging Bull Nettle
https://youtu.be/AoQGa2Ik_oQ
I'm that stingin bull nettle, I's sittin out in the grass
I'm that stingin bull nettle, sitting out in the grass
I'm just sittin there waiting, to sting some woman that pass
I sit there waitin, waitin both day and night
I sit there waitin, waitin both day and night
And if you come along then mama, say you know I'm gonna sting you right
Says I sit out in the rain, til I get soakin wet
I sit out in the rain, til I get soakin wet
And if you come along then mama, I'll give you a stingin you'll never forget
Solo
I sting 6 months a year and I sting the whole year 'round
I sting 6 months a year and I sting the whole year 'round
Well I sting you once baby, you'll never turn me down
Now that stingin bull nettle, sting my whole life long
I'm that stingin bull nettle, gonna sting my whole night long
And if I sting you' woman man, she's bound to leave you 'lone
Thanks,
Scott
modified 6/25/12 with help from Johnm
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Dough Rolling Papa
https://youtu.be/aSQAQhIOLXc
Intro - solo
Went out last night I got locked up in jail
My woman told me says she was goin' my bail
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Said I'm a dough rollin papa, mama goin crazy 'bout my bread
Rolled dough last night says an' the night before
She come to my job wanted me to roll some more
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Said I'm a dough rollin papa, mama goin crazy 'bout my bread
Rolled dough last night said and the night before
My baby said she wouldn't let me roll it no more
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Said I'm a dough rollin papa, mama goin crazy 'bout my bread
Solo
You can look me from my toes to my head
Know Katy come says I been rollin my bread
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Said I'm a dough rollin papa, mama goin crazy 'bout my bread
Some people say that I'm a no good man
Everybody [rolls that] want to roll it again
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Dough rollin papa, mama goin crazy 'bout my bread
I ain't braggin but it's understood
Everybody 'round me know my bread is good
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Cause I'm a dough rollin papa
Said I'm a dough rollin papa, mama goin crazy 'bout my bread
modified 6/30/12 with help from Johnm
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This is a different song than the same title 14065-1 and 14065-2
https://youtu.be/Dh682XpWM18
Some Lonesome Day (15552)
Woman woman how can you treat me so
Woman woman how can you treat me so
Say you done spent all my money and you drove me from your door
Look down look down that long old lonesome road
Said look down look down that long old lonesome road
[] Just to see how far a broke man has got to go
I knocked on your door, mama you wouldn't let me in
I knocked on your door mama, you wouldn't let me in
Said but that's alright mama you'll want me back again
It's so hard it's so hard, times ain't like they used to be
It's so hard it's so hard, til times ain't like they used to be
Said and since I been down everybody turned their back on me
If you ain't got nobody woman please take me in
If you ain't got nobody woman please do take me in
I'm a good man baby, look what a fix I'm in, mmmm, Lord, Lord
Someday someday, I mean some lonesome day
Someday someday, mmm some lonesone day
Ah you're going to want me for baby but it will be too dog gone late
edited 6/30/12 with help from Johnm
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Hi John, I'm not seeing the lyrics for Unkind Woman listed in Weeniepedia either on its own or under Buddy Moss. Thanks :-)
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Misery Man Blues
https://youtu.be/jUDZhM25CCM
Please babe, don't leave your daddy no more
Please babe, don't leave your daddy no more
And if you come home baby, I'll trust you anywhere you go
Says I know I treated you wrong, baby it drove you 'way from home
Said I know I treated you wrong, baby drove you 'way from home
But if you come back baby, I'll acknowledge that I done wrong
I didn't mean to treat you mean, babe I didn't realize what you meant to me
I didn't mean to treat you mean baby, didn't realize what you meant to me
If you come home baby, I'll be good as I can be
Solo
I stay worried baby, and blue most all my time
Said I stay worried baby, and blue most all my time
But if you come home baby, I'll treat you nice and kind
Here I am baby, begging down on my knee
Here I am baby, begging down on my knee
Beggin you to take me back and forgive me, do that for me if you please
Thanks,
Scott
modified 6/25/12 with help from Johnm
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Jinx Man Blues
https://youtu.be/uBLRA2JYtvU
Intro - solo
I'm just a mistreated man, and the jinx is on poor me
I'm just a mistreated man, and the jinx is on poor me
Since my baby left me, seem like this whole world is down on me
Hey, mama when you comin home
Says hey, mama when you comin home
I'm just a mistreated man and I ain't done nothin wrong
Says it seems what my baby quit me for, and it seems so strange to me
What made my baby quit me, said it seems so strange to me
But maybe someday, my baby will come back home to me
Solo
She told me I treat her mean but I don't see nothin that I done
Say she told me I treated her mean but I don't see nothin that I done
Aw some low down joker stole my baby 'way from home
This here is somethin' I got to say, and I want you tell all to me
Yes I got somethin to say, I want you to tell all to me
When your best gal quit you, and that you lost your last best friend
Thanks,
Scott
modofied 6/25/12 with help from Johnm
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Evil Hearted Woman
https://youtu.be/XHAVhFnOdfQ
Intro - solo
Man you can live with your woman, hundred years from today
Man you can live with your woman, hundred years from today
Say you can live with her longer'n that and you'll never know your woman's ways
Now evil hearted woman, says she'll tie a rag around her head
Said now a evil hearted woman, she'll tie a rag around her head
And when she'll come in, she'll cry daddy I'm almost dead
Solo
No man woman, wanna stay home all by hisself
Said now there's no man woman, wanna stay home all by himself
You keep layin out babe, you'll find your man got somebody(s) else
Now a woman is like a salesman, who's got some'n good to sell
Now says a woman is like a salesman, who's got some'n good to sell
Says and every time you see her she's got a new lie to tell
Thanks,
Scott
modified 6/25/12 with help from Johnm
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Wow, Scott, you've been busy! You're sure enough right about "Unkind Woman" not having been entered yet in Weeniepedia. That's an oversight on my part, I'll re-listen and enter or make corrections as appropriate. You keep going at the rate you've been going, and all of Buddy's 1934 solo session lyrics will be done soon--that's pretty great!
All best,
Johnm
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My best shot - review by others probably needed though...any input / clarification on "two" vs "too" would be appreciated...I went with "TWO" as he references "ONE" and "ONE" earlier in the sentence..."TOO" makes sense to me as well given the scarcity and need to hold on to them...
Chesterfield - Atlanta Blues Legend (ragtime progression in G)
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Smoke one in the morning, one at night, choke my duck and hold the other [two / too] tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Our father who art in Washington, Hoover will be his name
Took me off my good Chesterfield and he stuck me on Golden Grain
Now I rave, yes I crave, 'bout the ducks I should have saved
Oh Lord, smoke one in the morning, one at night, choke your duck and hold the other two tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, I mean
Boys is hard to find
Solo
Well it's Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Smoke one in the morning, one at night, choke your duck and hold the other two tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, you hear me talkin
Boys is hard to find, you see me walkin
Boys is hard to find, I mean
Boys is hard to find
Solo
Yes, Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Smoke one in the morning, one at night, choke your duck and hold the other two tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, you hear me screamin
Boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
I begin to wonder why, Chesterfield is gone so high
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, I mean
Boys is hard to find
Solo
Well now Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find
Smoke one in the morning, one at night, choke your duck and hold the other two tight
Chesterfield these days, boys is hard to find, I mean
Boys is hard to find
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Are you refining what has gone before on pages 2 & 3 of this topic where the lyric of Chesterfield was chewed over at some length? Or am I just being dense, as is my wont.
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Hi BH, I hope it's refining at this point as I tried to incorporate the earlier info in the thread to the best of ability (and ear) although perhaps it is I who am dense :-) I saw the use of two vs too earlier in the thread but didn't see a resolution. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks, Scott.
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Hi Scott,
I just listened to "Too Dog Gone Jealous" and heard a couple of things differently. I hear the fourth line of each verse as:
USUALLY when I ain't done nothin' wrong
I also hear line 1.6 as:
I can't go on LIVIN', baby, this way
In 2.7, I think it is SAYS rather than say.
Apart from these, it looks spot on. I'll do one post where I batch the playing position information on all these songs you've been transcribing. Thanks!
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Scott,
In "Tricks Ain't Walkin' No More" I think the 1.6 line is:
She makes MY DADDY'S LIVIN' BY puttin' on airs
In 2.5, I think it's
Two fat WOMENS
Otherwise, it all looks and sounds fine to me. Good work!
All best,
Johnm.
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Hi Scott,
For "Stinging Bull Nettle", the only thing I heard differently was:
1.1 I'm that stingin' bull nettle, I'S sittin' out in the grass.
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi Scott,
The only changes I could see/hear in "Jinx Man Blues" are:
3.3 BUT maybe someday, my baby will come back home to me
and
5.1 This here IS somethin' I got to say, and I want you to tell all to me
All best,
Johnm
-
Great work guys, I see they are already hitting weeniepedia.
-
Thanks, Mark. Scott's been busy, and I'm busy checking 'em and putting them in Weeniepedia.
For "Evil Hearted Woman", Scott, I only heard the following differences:
2.2 Said, now A evil-hearted woman, she'll tie a rag around her head
4.1 Now A woman is like a salesman, who's got some GOODS to sell
4.2 Now, says a woman is like a salesman, who's got some GOODS to sell
All best,
Johnm
-
This is all I could hear in "Misery Man Blues", Scott
2.1 SAYS I know I treated you wrong, baby it drove you away from home
All best,
Johnm
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Hi John - agreed and made all changes except one under review, Evil Hearted Woman 4.1 and 4.2. I'm still hearing something after "some" (maybe just the continuation of the "m") and I'm not hearing the "s" after "good"...if you could listen to it one more time and if you still hear it I'm OK with going with "some goods" as it actually seems to fit better with the last line in terms of telling lies when selling someone the goods vs if it really was good goods, you wouldn't have to lie to sell them...good? Thanks, Scott
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Hi Scott,
After re-listening to "Evil Hearted Woman" through some real, rather than computer speakers, I agree that it is "some'n good to sell", as you had it, rather than "some goods to sell", as I suggested. I think that's one is ready to go now, as is.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Scott,
In "Some Lonesome Day" these are all that I could hear differently:
1.3 Say you done SPENT all my money and you drove me from your door
4.3 I'm a good man baby, look what a FIX I'm in, mmmm, Lord, Lord
5.3 Ah you're going to want me FOR, baby but it will be too dog gone late
I think in 5.3, he started to sing something slightly different and aborted the line he had intended.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Scott,
For "Dough Rolling Papa", these are the only things I heard:
2.1 ROLLED dough last night, SAYS, an' the night before
3.1 ROLLED dough last night said and the night before
4.2 KNOW KATY COME, says, "I been rollin' my bread."
I think that what you heard in 5.2 is correct--he sort of stumbles over it. I think that other than "Chesterfield", this covers all the ones you transcribed. Great work!
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Here are the playing positions for the Buddy Moss songs that ScottN has transcribed the lyrics of recently.
* "When the Hearse Roll Me From My Door"--a 12-bar blues in A position, up-tempo (despite its title) and just a ripping number;
* "Too Dog Gone Jealous"--a 16-bar + tags raggy blues in C position, a sort of transitional piece between Blake and Blind Boy Fuller;
* "Tricks Ain't Walking No More"--another 16-bar + tags raggy blues in C position, more up-tempo than "Too Dog Gone Jealous", very active thumbwork;
* "Stinging Bull Nettle"--a 12-bar blues out of E position, Buddy's strongest playing position;
* "Dough Rolling Papa"--A 12-bar chorus blues played out of A position. This one provided the accompaniment model for Blind Boy Fuller's "Rattle-Snakin' Daddy";
* "Some Lonesome Day"--A 12-bar blues out of E position in which the guitar accompaniment very closely tracks the sung melody, an especially strong number;
* "Misery Man Blues"--Another 12'bar blues played out of E position;
* "Jinx Man Blues"--A 12-bar number in A position;
* "Evil Hearted Woman"--A 12-bar blues played in E position.
All best,
Johnm
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Shake It All Night Long
https://youtu.be/gCVsaYVcW2A
Intro - solo
Baby come home, she knocked upon my door
She said let me in papa wanna shake it some more
So I said shake it, shake it if it's all night long
The way she shake it make a monkey man leave his home
Baby asked me, watch and the ring
I said you can get it mama but you gotta shake that thing
'Cause now it's shake it, shake it if it's all night long
Yeah and the way my baby shake it make a monkey man leave his home
Solo
Shake it to the left, says she shakes it to the right
Believe to my soul says she can shake it all night
'Cause she shake it, shake it if it's all night long
The way my baby shake it make a monkey man leave his home
I told my baby if she would shake it on down
I'd take you mama and carry you to another town
So she shaked it, shake it if it's all night long
Way she shake it make a monkey man leave his home
Solo
Pull off your dress baby and comb your hair
Your daddy gonna love you baby in God knows where
Now shake it, shake it if it's all night long
Say now the way my baby shake it make a monkey man leave his home
modified 6/30/12 with help from Johnm and DJ
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Sleepless Night
https://youtu.be/8NGsazO6yBc
Intro - solo
I'm goin' back home, to that girl I left behind
Yes I'm goin' back home, to that girl I left behind
Says I'm goin' back home just to cure my worried mind
I lay down last night, worried in my mind
I lay down last night, worried in my mind
Thinking 'bout my baby who treated me so nice and kind
Solo
Yes I lay down last night, I began to weep
I lay down last night, I began to weep
Said now I thought about my baby, could not go to sleep
Shot craps last night, tryin' get my railroad fare
Shot craps last night tryin' to win my railroad fare
I'm gonna find my baby in this world but God knows where
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Love Me, Baby, Love Me
https://youtu.be/nIKvCAg0kmg
Intro - solo
Love me love me baby, love me like you used to do
Love me love me baby, love me like you used to do
I really love you woman, I don't care what you do
Said there's no use of lovin', I don't see why I should
Says there is no use of lovin', I don't see why I should
These women these days, don't mean no man no good
Solo
I done caught you crooked woman, so there's no use of lyin'
I done caught you crooked woman, so there's no use of lyin'
You can't square me up, so there's no use of tryin'
I got a little woman, just about five foot two
I've got a little woman, just about five foot two
Every time I love my woman, it thrills me through and through
Thanks,
Scott
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Hi Scott,
Thanks for the three new transcriptions. I didn't hear anything differently on "Sleepless Night", which Buddy played out of G position in standard tuning, or in "Love Me, Baby, Love Me", which he played out of A position in standard tuning. For "Shake It All Night Long", which he played out of C position in standard tuning, I heard only the following lines slightly differently.
1.4 THE way she shake it make a monkey man leave his home
2.1 Baby ASKED me [watch and the ring?]--I think "watch and the ring" is correct
3.4 THE way my baby shake it make a monkey man leave his home
4.1 I told my baby IF she WOULD shake it on down
4.2 I'D take you mama and carry you to another town
4.3 So she SHAKED it, shake it if it's all night long
It's really cool the way Buddy Moss varied his chord progression on the different verses of "Shake It All Night Long". Thanks for doing these. Were you in agreement on the changes for "Dough Rolling Papa" and "Some Lonesome Day"?
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John. I agree with and made the changes to Dough Rollin Papa and Some Lonesome Day. I also made the changes to Shake It All Night Long - your changes to verse 4 make way more sense than what I was hearing.
Any idea what "Watch and the Ring" might refer to in Shake It All Night Long?
Also, in Dough Rolling Papa, "Know Katy come says I been Rollin my bread," any idea if "Katy" is part of some expression or just a random reference to a person?
Thanks again for all the help on these.
Scott
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Anybody with better ears than mine have some help on 5.3??? Thanks in advance.
https://youtu.be/KiweeHPag3U
Broke Down Engine No. 2 (Take 1)
Intro
Feel like a broke down engine, got no drivers at all
Feel like a broke down engine, got no driver at all
And the reason I love my baby, she can do the Georgie Crawl
Feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no whistle or bell
Feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no whistle or bell
And if you're a real kind woman, drive away my tears
(instr), Lord Lordy Lord Lord Lord
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lord Lord Lord, Lord Lord Lord
Lord Lord, Lord Lordy Lord-y Lord, Lord Lordy Lord
Some scream in Long Island, I'm scream in Newport News
Ah some scream in Long Island, I'm scream in Newport News
I'm still wanderin' around in Atlanta with these broke down engine blues
Don't you hear me baby, knockin' on your door
Don't you hear me baby, knockin' on your door
And I get down [? live like cross your floor ?]
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lord Lord Lord
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lord Lord Lord
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lord Lord Lord
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Hi Scott,
I think in "Shake It All Night Long", the implication is that the watch and the ring are offered in exchange for shaking it all night long. I think maybe in "Dough Rolling Papa", Buddy is saying he is particularly engaged in dough rolling when Katy comes over.
Thanks for all your work on these transcriptions. I think it increased the number of Buddy Moss tunes transcribed in Weeniepedia by four times over in a pretty brief time, and that's great. He's a musician who deserves so much more recognition. Good work!
All best,
Johnm
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Alternate take - verse 5.3 is still a mystery to me
https://youtu.be/40S7pnpEfJs
Broke Down Engine No. 2 (take 2)
Intro
I feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no drivers at all
Feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no drivers at all
And reason why I love my baby, she can do the Georgie Crawl
Feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no whistle or bell
Feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no whistle or bell
And if you're a real kind woman, drive away my tears
Lord Lord Lord, Lord Lord Lordy Lord
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lord Lord Lord
Lord Lord, Lord Lordy Lordy Lord, Lord Lord Lord
Some scream in Long Island, I'm scream in Newport News
Some scream in Long Island, I'm scream in Newport News
I'm still wanderin' around in Atlanta with these broke down engine blues
Don't you hear be baby, knockin' on your door
Don't you hear me baby, knockin' on your door
And I get down [in the snake ? ? ? ] step light cross your floor
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lordy Lord
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lordy Lord
Thanks,
Scott
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I hear the second line of the second verse of Shake It All Night Long as "I SAID YOU CAN GET IT mama but you gotta shake that thing".
The first line of that verse seems like it should read something like"Baby asked me [for the] watch and the ring", but Buddy left out whatever went in the brackets when the song was recorded.
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Thank you for the help, dj, after re-listening I think you are right on the money. It makes more sense out of the whole verse, too. Thanks!
All best,
Johnm
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Ha! I just get a copy of vol.1 1933 and you are on to 1934 !! :-\
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Your timing is perfect Gumbo as we're finishing up vol 2 and are just getting ready to do vol 1 - thanks in advance for the help :-)
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Hi all,
I guess I'm out of order, but I've got one from Volume 3. Buddy Moss recorded "Gravy Server" at a session in New York City on August 21, 1935, backing himself out of A position in standard tuning. After a brief intro, he opens the song on the IV chord, the only verse he chose to accompany that way. His second full solo is especially exciting.
https://youtu.be/uL2a1w6datA
INTRO
I've got a woman, she's sweet as she could be
I've got a woman, she's sweet as she can be
She's a long, tall woman, she's all right with me
Lord, I love my woman, she treats me nice and kind
Lord, I love my woman, she treats me nice and kind
Oh, and man, she got somethin' to ease my worried mind
I'm gonna ask my woman, will she be my wife
I'm gonna ask my woman, will she be my wife
I could b'lieve she could boil water, make it suit my appetite
SOLO
Say, the way she fries my steak, peoples, I'm satisfied
Say, the way she fries my steak, peoples, I'm satisfied
And the way she stirs her gravy, man, you'd be surprised
SOLO
Says, she serve me in the mornin', she serve me late at night
Says, she serve me in the mornin', she serve me late at night
Said, and anything she serve me, she serves it to me right
Edited 7/1 to pick up correction from ScottN
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Johnm - given that Buddy wasn't the most orthodox player (or person) I don't think he'd mind mixing it up :-)
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Bye Bye Mama
NYC 1/16/33 (Fred McMullen 2nd guitar, Ruth Willis spoken)
https://youtu.be/uIs6zx0LX_w
Intro
Says my good gal she quit me, she quit me for somebody(s) else
Said my good gal she quit me, she quit me for somebody(s) else
Said but I don't have to worry, I'm gonna find me another gal somewhere
Says she left me this mornin', she left me standin' in the door
Says she left me this mornin', she left me standin' in the door
She said bye bye daddy, I ain't comin' back no more
I said bye bye mama, you gonna miss me some sweet day
I said bye bye mama, you gonna miss me some sweet day
And you gonna be sorry that you did poor me this a way
Ah sho play that thing boy
Solo (Ruth Willis spoken: Lord, play that thing for Mrs. Willis boy)
Here you come mama, you haven't got a lousy dime
Now here you come mama, you haven't got a lousy dime
I'm gonna take you back baby, baby try you one more time
Now good gal good gal, let me tell you a thing or two
Now good gal good gal, let me tell you a thing or two
Say you got to treat me woman, baby just like I treat you
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Hi Johnm -
in Gravy Server the only difference I hear is:
1.3 RIGHT vs. fight
Thanks,
Scott
-
Your timing is perfect Gumbo as we're finishing up vol 2 and are just getting ready to do vol 1 - thanks in advance for the help :-)
Excellent news! :)
Bye Bye Mama sounds spot on to me.
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For Broke Down Engine No. 2 [take 2] 5.3, could the line be "And I get down in the snake LAY ME SO FLAT FLAT FLAT, step light cross your floor"?
-
Thanks DJ, that's way better than what I was hearing. I don't hear the "so" and when I listen to the same line in Take 1 it sounds like it might be a polysyllabic word "me so [flat-flat]" before the third "flat."
I'm OK with changing to what y'all hear though as I have some hearing loss and I'm listening to MP3 quality on not the best speakers in the world.
Thanks,
Scott
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Hi Scott,
Thanks for catching my typo in "Gravy Server". I look forward to hearing the one with Fred McMullen and Ruth Willis when I get down to Seattle. I will make the fix.
All best,
Johnm
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Ok I'll dive in with one :) EDIT from Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/sSkqMk9u1PE
Daddy Don't Care
New York City, January 16, 1933; Buddy Moss, voc, g for Vocalion
there's a tricky word in each of 2.3, 3.3, and 4.3
2.3 and 3,3 is probably the same word but I still can't make it out.
I think it's in B but not sure of the playing position ( down one step and in C position?)
Now my Baby keeps stayin' out all night long but her daddy really don't care
M'baby keep stayin' out all night long says her daddy really don't care
she goes out lord an' stays all day got another woman to take her place
and m'baby keeps stayin' out all night long but her daddy really don't care
I mean ? Baby daddy really don't care
Now my Baby keeps stayin' out all night long but her daddy really don't care
M'baby keeps stayin' out all night long swears her daddy really don't care
I got a gal says she's long and tall when she keep a-lovin' says lord lord lord
said my Baby keeps stayin' out all night long but her daddy really don't care
I mean ... Baby daddy really don't care
Now my Baby keeps stayin' out all night long but her daddy really don't care
uh .. ay stayin' out all night long swears her daddy really don't care
I got a gal says she named Sally Right said when she keep a-loving says just too tight
says my baby keeps stayin' out all night long but her daddy really don't care
I mean ? Baby daddy really don't care
Now my Baby keeps stayin' out all night long but her daddy really don't care
Know my baby she's doin' me wrong swears your daddy really don't care
she stays out all night long she gonna come home and find me gone sayin'
My baby keeps stayin' out all night long but her daddy really don't care
I mean ? Baby daddy really don't care
Now my baby keeps stayin' out all night long but your daddy really don't care
I know my babe she's doing me wrong swears her daddy really don't care
she stays out both day and night said I know my babe she ain't treatin' me right
Sayin' my baby keeps stayin' out all night long but her daddy really don't care
I mean ? but your daddy really don't ?.
EDIT to include corrections from ScottN and JohnM below
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From Vol. 2...having trouble with the recording quality on 2.3 [] could be "happy" or something completely different - any help always appreciated :-)
https://youtu.be/SiKt79H8ljA
B&O Blues No. 2
I'm gonna grab me a train, I'm goin' back to Baltimore
I'm gonna grab me a train, I'm goin' back to Baltimore
I'm gonna find my baby, Lord she rode that B&O
I'm gonna act like a rambler, and never stay at home
I'm gonna act like a rambler, and never stay at home
I can't be, uh, good no more, when the woman I love is gone
She said daddy I'm leavin', and I won't be back no more
She said daddy I'm leavin', and I won't be back no more
I never would think, that my baby would treat me so
Says I never would think, that my babe would treat me so
Says I never would think, that my babe would treat me so
And it broke my heart, when she caught that B&O
Ah, play that thing boy
Solo - spoken: How can a man feel bad and his woman is gone
My babe want come home, and I can't use her no more
Now my babe want to come home, and I can't use her no more
I got another gal, and her home's in Baltimore
edited 7/11/12 with help from Johnm
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in Take 1 it sounds like it might be a polysyllabic word "me so [flat-flat]" before the third "flat."
I think in take 1 Moss sings "And I get down in a snake like it's flat flat flat, step light 'cross your floor". It sounds like he garbled the words a bit there.
I have some hearing loss...
Don't we all! Well, all of us old guys. 60 years of farm equipment (in my younger days), power tools, and loud music have done a number on my ears. If I could live my life again, the one thing I'd do differently would be diligent use of hearing protection.
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Thanks DJ - in Take 1 my ears / brain seem to be implying something like:
"And I get down in the snake like its tappin' flat, step light cross your floor" but I'm probably just having auditory hallucinations at this point...
Re: the ears, I'm pretty impresssed with the stuff you and others have been able to decipher in many of the recordings transcribed here on WC...maybe you and some others were half-bat to start with :-) Thanks again, Scott.
-
did we have this discussion about tippin light across your floor in the Willie McTell lyric thread?
-
Thanks Gumbo - I haven't looked at the McTell thread before but I'll take a look as I'm dying to know what this phrase is. Thanks for the clue :-) Scott
-
http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=312.0 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=312.0)
Scott - it starts on page one and weaves in and out of the first 6-8 pages! not sure if there was a final consensus but there is comparison to Buddy Moss' versions of Broke Down Engine
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Re: Daddy Don't care
You picked a tough one Gumbo, I don't know if I could have got a couple of the phrases you did...here is my best guess on stuff that I am hearing / seeing:
1.4 and [MY] baby
2.3 "keep" sounds right to me
3.2 "ay" might be "babe"
3.2 ...long "she swears" her... vs "says"
3.3 it sounds like "keep" again to me instead of "gets"
3.4 [SAYS MY] baby keep...
4.3 at the end could be "then" instead of "there" but neither is really clear to me. Also might be something like "says" or "said" as a beginning to 4.4 - similar to the words between 5.3 and 5.4
5.2 I think "wronging" is a typo and should be just "wrong"
5.3 ...night [SAID I] know...
5.4 [SAID MY] Baby keeps...
Thanks,
Scott
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From Vol. 2...
https://youtu.be/anLB26cmEO8
Some Lonesome Day (14065-1)
Intro - solo
Way last winter one cold, January day
I come to your house baby, you shut your door in my face
But it's comin' home, comin' home to you some lonesome day
And you're gonna be sorry, you did me this a way
Way last winter, in the rain and snow
You put me out babe I didn't have no place to go
But it's comin' home, comin' home to you some lonesome day
And you're gonna be sorry, you did me this a way
Ah, play it boy
Solo
It's comin' home to you baby, you ought to know
You gonna reap woman just, what you sow
And it's comin' home, comin' home to you some lonesome day
And you're gonna be sorry, you did me this a way
When I had money woman say I saw you, every day
Meet you on the street now woman you turn your head the other way
Said but it's comin' home, comin' home to you some lonesome day
You're gonna want me baby, and I'll be too far away
Thanks,
Scott
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http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=312.0 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=312.0)
Scott - it starts on page one and weaves in and out of the first 6-8 pages! not sure if there was a final consensus but there is comparison to Buddy Moss' versions of Broke Down Engine
this is a good post to check
http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=312.msg40372#msg40372 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=312.msg40372#msg40372)
-
An alternate take from Vol. 2...
Some Lonesome Day (14065-2)
https://youtu.be/xInP-42Fldk
Intro - solo
Way last winter one cold, January day
I come to your house baby you shut your door in my face
But it's comin' home, comin' home to you some lonesome day
And you're gonna be sorry, that you did me this a way
Way last winter in the, rain and snow
You put me out babe I didn't have no, place to go
But it's comin' home, comin' home to you some lonesome day
And you're gonna be sorry, that you did me this a way
Solo
It's comin' home to you baby, you ought to know
You gotta reap woman just, what you sow
And it's comin' home, comin' home to you some lonesome day
And you're gonna be sorry, you did me this a way
When I had money babe I saw you, every day
Meet you on the streets now woman you turn your head the other way
But it's comin' home, comin' home to you some lonesome day
And you're gonna be sorry, you did me this a way
Thanks,
Scott
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thanks ScottN - i agree with your corrections for Daddy Don't Care. I left the two instances of 'keep' and the then/there as flagged for anyone who wants to give it a listen
atm I'm convinced 3.2 is a stumble and the first two syllables are just that, so I left it as is pending other ears!
thanks for listening
This form for a rag is pretty common - does anyone know if there's a name for it?
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Re : Broke Down Engine No. 2 takes 1 and 2 line 5.3...
The discussion goes back to 2004 and the Willie McTell thread (thanks Gumbo). I do not see a final resolution but it gets pretty close to a final. It has had years worth of discussion from many WC luminaries including Waxwing, Uncle Bud, Rivers, Frankie, Johnm, Onewent, Banjochris, and Gumbo as well as many others.
My best guesses:
Take 1: Can I get down 'n snake (legged / level / limit / liniment / lemon / like / livin), tap it flat, tip light 'cross you floor.
Take 2: Can I get down in the snake (limit / lemon / etc), tap (flat) flat, tip light 'cross your floor.
In take 2 Moss seems to flub the word after tap and is almost laughing when he finishes the rest of the phrase.
Anybody have thoughts on how we can reach consensus on these two lines.
Thanks,
Scott
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I'm hearing the Buddy Moss version for the first time today and in take 1 he could easily being saying
... can i get down this necklace and [tamp it flat??] ...
definitely not what Willie McTell sings ....
-
Thanks for bringing up the McTell version, Gumbo. With that in mind, the phrase clarifies itself a bit. I now hear in take 1:
Can I get down in the snake LET ME TAP IT FLAT , STEP light 'cross your floor
I think I hear an ST sound at the start of the word I have as "step", but could be argued into giving up the S and having it as "tip".
And in take 2:
Can I get down in the snake LET ME STAP FLAT FLAT, STEP light 'cross your floor
Clearly, Moss flubs the line here. Maybe that's why the take was unissued.
-
From Vol. 3...Buddy Moss recorded 8/21/35 NYC...pretty dark subject matter given what happens later...played in E position standard tuning
https://youtu.be/k_Uy58GA2SE
Going To Your Funeral In A Vee Eight Ford
Intro - solo
I'm gonna buy you a straight life policy, sick and accident, too
Some accident's gonna happen baby and gonna happen to you
Says I'm gonna ride to your funeral, mama in a V8 Ford
Say you think you wise, baby but you just don't know
Gonna hire six white horses, carry you to your grave
I'm gonna be there baby, throw dirt in your face
Then I'm gonna ride to your funeral, baby in a V8 Ford
Say you think you wise, baby but you just don't know
Solo
I'm gonna hire me a chauffer, cook and a maid, too
Gonna put you enough insurance to buy me a house and lot, too
Says I'm gonna ride to your funeral, baby in a V8 Ford
Now say you think you're wise, baby but you just don't know
Solo
Says I would buy a Buick, it's good on the road
But it's nothin' like ridin' in a V8 Ford
Says I'm gonna ride to your funeral, baby in a V8 Ford
Say you think you're wise, baby but you just don't know
I'm gonna bump you off, gonna tell you the reason why
You're worth more to me dead woman, than you is alive
Says I'm gonna ride to your funeral, baby in a V8 Ford
Say you think you wise, baby but you just don't know
Thanks,
Scott
edited 7/5/12 with help from Johnm
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From Vol. 1 - Buddy Moss, 1/16/33 NYC
https://youtu.be/EUA1i8x8N9g
Red River Blues
Intro - solo
Said I was down Red River, when that big boat came along
Said I was down Red River wooo, when that big boat came along
Ah said it take'd my baby, it left poor me all alone
Flow on, Red River flow on
Flow on, Red River flow on
Say Red River be floatin', until the day I'm gone
Said now I'm goin' to Red River, I'm gonna sit right on the ground
Said I'm goin' to Red River, Lord I'm gonna sit right on the ground
Said if I don't find my baby, I'm gonna jump overboard and drown
Solo
I can see my baby, she's standing on that other side
Said I can see my baby, she's standing on that other side
Said I'd swim Red River, but it's too doggone deep and wide
Thanks,
Scott
-
From Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/5tDjq6ICim0
Cold Country Blues
Intro
Say when the snow start to fallin', and the north wind began to blow
Say when the snow start to fallin', and the north wind began to blow
That I was all outdoors, and didn't have no winter clothes
In the summer I had money but, this winter I didn't have a lousy dime
Said in the summer I had money, but this winter I didn't have a lousy dime
And I'm goin' back south, where the weather suits these clothes of mine
Said my clothes ain't sufficient, and I'm bound to catch T.B.
Said my clothes ain't sufficient, and I'm bound to catch T.B.
And if my woman really loved me, she would send for poor me
spoken: Ah it's bad to be cold boy 'specially in the wintertime
Solo
Some people says they're happy, but they don't even know
Some people says they are happy, but they don't even know
They haven't had any hard luck, or had to sleep in the rain and snow
Now they talks about money, but I haven't got none
Said now they talks about money, but I haven't got none
But I'm so glad, that I ain't the only one
Thanks,
Scott
-
from Vol. 1...in verse 5 having trouble with [?side?] - may refer to working outside or may be a completely different word - any help always appreciated :-)
https://youtu.be/BWOI4TC-KFk
Prowling Woman
Intro
Early this morning, my baby made me cry
Early this morning, my baby made me cry
And why she dog me 'round, I just can't tell the reason why
I love her and she knows it, but I just can't help myself
I love her and she knows it, but I just can't help myself
And I would go and leave her but I, just can't love nobody(s) else
I love that mistreatin' woman, baby and it ain't no lie
I love that mistreatin' woman, baby and it ain't no lie
And the day she goes and leave me, people that's the day she dies
Solo
Leaves me every morning, she don't come back 'til late at night
She leaves me every morning, she don't come back 'til late at night
And you know that mistreatin' woman, she sure ain't treatin' her good man right
Says I work the whole year round [side] to give her everything she needs
I work the whole year round [side] to give her everything she needs
But she leaves me every mornin' and won't fix me a bite to eat
Thanks,
Scott
-
From Vol. 1...NYC 1/18/33, Curley Weaver 2nd guitar
https://youtu.be/WqNcAXo1cFU
T.B.'s Killing Me
Intro - solo
I went to the doctor, up the street
I sat right down and he, looked at me
He said I hate to tell you but you [?lung disease?]
You ain't got nothin' but them old T.B.s
And I mmmm, T.B.s is killing me
I used to have friends but, none of them that I can see
Now, mmmm
mmmm
mmmm, T.B.s is killing me
And it won't be long, 'fore some lonely graveyard I'll be
I had a good girl an' a happy home
But since T.B. got me she's left me all alone
Said now mmmmm, T.B.s is killin' me
And it won't be long, before some lonely graveyard I'll be
Solo
Now boys these days and I'm just, hangin' on
And it won't be long before, I'll be gone
Said now mmm, T.B.s is killin' me
And it won't be long, before some graveyard I will be
Thanks,
Scott
-
from Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/N_ao6CRZvRU
When I'm Dead and Gone
Intro - solo
When I was down, could not help myself
Wouldn't come to see me 'cause, had somebody else
Now you gonna miss me, when I'm dead and gone
Ah you're gonna miss me baby, mmm when I'm dead and gone
When I [was with] you baby, tried to treat you right
You stayed out with me baby, both day and night
Now you gonna miss me, when I'm dead and gone
Mmm you're gonna miss me baby, mmm when I'm dead and gone
Solo
Let me tell you baby, thing or two
That's all right baby, the way you do
Now you gonna miss me, when I'm dead and gone
Ah you gonna miss me baby, mmm when I'm dead and gone
You mistreated me baby, drove me from your door
But that's all right baby you're gonna, reap just what you sow
Now you gonna miss me, when I'm dead and gone
Ah you gonna miss me baby mmm when I'm dead and gone
Thanks,
Scott
-
From Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/V4LGAvtcCAo
Hard Times Blues
Intro
Hard times hard times, how long are you going to stay
Hard times hard times, how long are you going to stay
I'm here today, tomorrow I may be gone away
You keep me worried and bothered and you, 'bout to make me lose my mind
You keep me worried and bothered and you, 'bout to make me lose my mind
You have caused the woman I love, to go away and leave me behind
When I was makin' money, my baby treated me like a dog
When I was makin' money, my baby treated me like a dog
And hard times come along, and left me without a job
Solo
I bought me a horse and wagon, to sail some wooded cove
I bought me a horse and wagon, to sail some wooded cove
I done hollered so much, I done wore my tonsils sore
I haven't got one penny, the rent man is standing at my door
I haven't got one penny, the rent man is standing at my door
I think I'll give it up, and let hard times take its own toll
Thanks,
Scott
-
Hi Scott,
I am wa-ay behind in listening to the songs you've been transcribing, but I'm going to try to start to make a dent in them. Below are the only things I heard differently from your transcription of "Going To Your Funeral In A Vee Eight Ford", which Buddy Moss played out of the E position in standard tuning.
1.1 I'm gonna buy you a straight life policy, SICK and accident, too
1.2 Some ACCIDENT'S gonna happen, baby, and ["it's" deleted] gonna happen to you
2.3 THEN I'm gonna ride to your funeral, baby in a V8 Ford
Good work!
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi Scott,
This is all I could hear differently on "Can't Use You No More", which had both Buddy Moss and Josh White working out of E position in standard tuning
3.1 Says I told, told you babe, when you MISTREATED me each and every way
5.2 I ain't got much money but, THINGS 'bout comin' my way
The rest looks right on.
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi Gumbo,
I think I've got a couple of more things on "Daddy Don't Care".
I think lines 1.2 and 2.2 both begin with an almost-swallowed "My"
I think the mystery phrase in the third line of verses two and three is "keep a-lovin' "
I think the word at the end of line 4.3 is "says"
Lots of words in that one!
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi Scott,
In the course of quoting your post with the lyrics to "Can't Use You No More", your original post of the lyrics ended up being deleted. I'm sorry about that! I'll see if you'd prefer to re-post them, or I can put them up. My apologies.
All best,
Johnm
-
I think the word at the end of line 4.3 is "says"
Lots of words in that one!
All best,
Johnm
excellent suggestions, Johnm. Now that you pointed me in that direction I'm hearing "sayin' " in line 4.3 - I made the other corrections.
Is there a name for this rag form? - it's pretty common.
-
Hi Gumbo,
I don't know of a particular name for the form, but you're right, it's really common. In addition to "Daddy Don't Care", Buddy used it for "Too Doggone Jealous" and "Tricks Ain't Walking No More", and Blind Boy Fuller really used it for quite a lot of tunes. I think of it as a 16-bar raggy progression with a variable length tag, most often 2 bars, but sometimes four bars. The progression works like so:
| I | VI | II V7 | I |
| I | VI | II | V7 |
| I | I7 | IV |#IVdim7 |
| I | VI | II V7 | I VI |
| II V7 | I |
Normally, the same lyric, more or less, will be sung over the first, second and fourth lines, and the only lyrics that change from one pass through the form to the next are those that are sung over the third line. The tag begins with the VI chord that concludes the 16th bar, which sends you around the circle of fifths one more time. Buddy Moss would occasionally double up on the tag by going to another VI chord in the second half of the 18th bar and doing another II-V7-I resolution in the 19th and 20th bars. The progression works most easily out of C and G positions in standard tuning, but works pretty well out of F position, too.
All best,
Johnm
-
haha! I'll just have to settle for that then , if there's no name for it!
Seriously though. Thank you for taking the time to post that up. I pretty much had it except I've been using a IV7 instead of a #IVdim7 which is a great tip. Thanks again.
-
You're welcome, Gumbo, and I expect you'll have a lot of fun with that progression and the songs that use it.
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi all,
Buddy Moss recorded "Baby, You're the One For Me" at a session in New York City on October 23, 1941. This session was, I believe, his last after having been released from prison until the 1960s. As usual, he sounded at the peak of his form. I suppose it is possible to play an East Coast blues in A better than Buddy played this one, but I don't think I've ever heard it done. He really sounds spectacular here, and his singing was every bit as fine as his playing.
https://youtu.be/wPxBCUQaWmE
INTRO
Went away, babe, and I left you behind
No matter what I do, baby, I can't get you off my mind, said,
REFRAiN: I fished in a-many ponds, and I've traveled from sea to sea
Well, then I done found out, baby, that you're the one for me
I can't be happy, baby, no matter what I do
Every time I love little darlin', b'lieve I think of you, says,
REFRAiN: I fished in a-many ponds, and I've traveled from sea to sea
Well, then I done found out, baby, that you're the one for me
SOLO
I'm lonesome, baby, and blue as I can be
Setting here, wondering do you ever think of me, says,
REFRAiN: I fished in a-many ponds, and I've traveled from sea to sea
Well, then I done found out, baby, that you're the one for me
I met with a babe that would treat a man very well
I met some babes that would lead a man to hell, said,
REFRAiN: I fished in a-many ponds, and I've traveled from sea to sea
Well, then I done found out, baby, that you're the one for me
Look for me, babe, on that early morning train
Never be satisfied 'til I see your face again, said,
REFRAiN: I've fished in a-many ponds, and I've traveled from sea to sea
And I done found out, baby, that you're the one for me
Edited, 7/5 to pick up corrections from ScottN
All best,
Johnm
-
Vol. 3 - NYC 8/23/35 - Buddy Moss and Josh White both playing out of E position - "Key to the Highway" progression
https://youtu.be/dZFOnePaj5k
Can't Use You No More
Intro
I told, you baby, when you was, doin' me wrong
That someday baby you're gonna, lose your happy home
I took, your doggin', babe for two, years or more
So it's my time now baby, baby and you'll have to go
Solo
Says I told, told you baby, when you mistreated me each and, every way
That the sun was gonna shine, my back door someday
I'm gonna tell, tell you somethin', baby that I wan't, you to know
Said I'm through with you woman, just can't use you no more
Said the sun, is shinin', in my back, door today
I ain't got much money but, things 'bout comin' my way
Solo
Bye, bye baby, gonna leave you, by yourself
I got me another woman you'll have, find somebody(s) else
Because my mama, she told me, when I was a little boy, playin' mumble-peg
Son don't drink no black cow's milk and don't you, eat no black hen's egg
Thanks,
Scott
edited 7/5/12 with help from Johnm
-
Hi Johnm - reposted "Can't Use You No More" with changes and made changes to "Going To Your Funeral In A Vee Eight Ford." Agree with all your suggestions - Thanks :-) Scott
-
Hi Johnm - just listened to "Baby, You're The One For Me." A couple of suggestions to consider:
2.2 - maybe [darlin'] instead of "girls" - I can't make much out of the recording but girls didn't seem to fit what I was hearing
4.2 [said] vs "says"
5.2 [said] vs "says"
I like the cool computer savvy way you spell REFRAiN, too...first you get iTunes, last week an iScanner, now it's Katy bar the door it's "i" EVERYTHiNG ;-)
Thanks,
Scott
-
Thanks for the help, Scott, I think those finds are all right on. As for my "i" in refrain, that was a weird one on my part--don't know where that came from!
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi all,
Buddy Moss recorded "Unfinished Business" at the New York session on October 23, 1941, and as on "Baby, You're the One For Me", he chose to accompany himself out of A position in standard tuning. Spectacular playing and singing again from Buddy, and the song is notable for its long lyric lines--it just about puts Buddy in a class with Louis Hayes in that regard.
https://youtu.be/fI4LwHaiZGQ
Well, you the strangest woman, most that I've ever seen
Well now, you the strangest woman, strangest woman I've ever seen
Well, sometime you can be so sweet, babe, then again so doggone cruel and mean
But you should realize what you're doin' when you leave your good man alone
You should realize what you're doin', babe, when you leave your good man alone
Because there's a little matter of business, babe, that just got to be carried on
Well then, I know nobody got no blues, I know, like mine
Well then, I know nobody got no blues, I know, like mine
Well, it's sometime I'm s'posed to b'lieve that I'm my Mama's bad luck child (Spoken: Aw, Play it!)
SOLO
Well then, I gave you my money, baby, babe, and you wouldn't stay at home
Well then, I gave you my money, baby, and you wouldn't stay at home
Well, I'm gonna find me somebody, babe, just to carry my business on
Well, you should realize, babe, that one woman ain't got it all by herself
Well, you should realize, baby, that one woman ain't got it all by herself
Well now, I ain't gonna grieve over you, baby, when I can go find me someone else
Edited, 7/7 to pick up corrections from ScottN
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi Johnm,
Thanks for doing "Unfinished Business"...seems like an ironic name for a last song to record given we don't here from Buddy again until the 60s (and then even after that we don't get as much as we'd like...). Also seems like a good name for the biography that should be written...oh well, guess we can blame Pearl Harbor...
A couple suggestions on the lyrics:
3.3 (Spoken: [AH] play it!)
4.3 [gonna] vs. "gone"
5.3 when I can [GO] find me someone else
Thanks,
Scott
-
Vol 3. - Buddy Moss - NYC 8/21/35
https://youtu.be/4UDhYojup64
My Baby Won't Pay Me No Mind
Intro
Tell me baby, what have I done wrong
Mmm Lord tell me baby, what have I done wrong
Lord I thought I's t' be happy but my trouble's just begun
When I had money, I used to see you all the time
Mmm Lord when I had money, I's t' see you all the time
Now I'm down, and you won't pay me no mind
Solo
Say you even tell me baby, that you don't want me no more
Mmm Lord you even tell me baby, you don't want me no more
But when you ain't thinkin' woman, you gonna reap just what you sow
It's hard to love, people when you can't be loved
Mmm Lord it's so hard to love, peoples when you can't be loved
I guess I'll go by myself, look to the good Lord above
Solo
I'm just sittin' here wonderin', how can you treat me so
Mmm Lord I'm sittin' here wonderin', how can you treat me so
Says I love one time, but I'll never love no more
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 3 - 8/21/35 - NYC - Josh White 2nd guitar
https://youtu.be/pgS3A97afbk
Undertaker Blues
Intro
I'm going down to the undertaker, and look down in my baby's face
I'm going down to the undertaker, and look down in my baby's face
I'm sorry she had to leave me, but I just can't take her place
The hearse backed up to the undertaker, and he rolled my babe away
The hearse backed up to the undertaker, and it rolled my babe away
And now I can't do nothin', but grieve my time away
Can't a man feel bad, when his babe on the coolin' board
Now can't a man feel bad, when his babe on the coolin' board
And know she's dead and gone, can't see her smilin' face no more
Solo
Lord Lord Lord, took the woman I loved so well
Lord Lord Lord, took the woman I loved so well
She may be in Heaven above, or down below in Hell
Says and now she's dead, and never more will roam
Er and now she's dead, and never more will roam
She was a kind black woman, hope she make Heaven her happy home
Thanks,
ScottN
modified 7/11/12 with help from Johnm
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC 8/21/35 - Josh White 2nd guitar
https://youtu.be/NXqG6vsa62c
Oh Lordy Mama No. 2
Intro - solo
Woman I love, dead and in her grave
Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Now the woman I love says she dead and in her grave
And the woman I hate, sees her everyday
If I had a listened to, what my mama said
Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Now if I had a listened to, what my mama said
I would have been at home, sleepin' in my mama's bed
Solo
Woman I love, she got a mole just below her nose
Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Now the woman I love she gotta, mole just below her nose
Every time she hug and kiss me it, make my blood run cold
Solo
Woman I love, woman I crave to see
Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Now the woman I love said, the woman I crave to see
Now she's in Cincinatta and a, she won't write to me
Woman I love, mouth chock full of good gold
Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Now the woman I love said, mouth chock full of good gold
Said I see you got something, to satisfy my soul
Solo
She twist and turns, she rolls all over the bed
Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
She twist and turn and, roll all over the bed
Says she got the kinda lovin' that will, make me talk out of my head
Thanks,
ScottN
edited 7/7/12 with help from Bunker Hill
-
Vol. 3 - NYC 8/21/35 - Josh White 2nd guitar (with some very enjoyable bass work)
https://youtu.be/ucT1_myMW9c
Worrysome Woman
Intro - solo
Say if you don't want me woman, why in the world don't you let me be
Now if you don't want me woman, why in the world don't you let me be
'Cause there's a plenty more women, that really cares for poor me
Said if I can't [care] you woman, I can't [care] nobodys else
Say if I can't [care] you woman, I can't [care] nobodys else
If I have to go woman, I'm goin' on by myself
Solo: (spoken: Play it Mr. Josh)
Said now if you don't want me, why in the world don't you let me 'lone
Lord if you don't want me, why in the world don't you let me 'lone
And you says that you love me, baby but you do me wrong
When you's in trouble, I the one who paid your fine
When you's in trouble, I the one who paid your fine
Said now since you been [?] baby you just won't pay me no mind
Whooooa, tell me what you going to do
Whooooa, tell me what you going to do
Says I would go and leave you woman, don't love no one but you
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC - 8/23/35 - Josh White 2nd guitar
https://youtu.be/svSq7yYV-S0
Your Hard Head Will Bring You Sorrow Some Day
Intro - solo
I did all I could, you wasn't satisfied
Someday baby, gonna hang your head and cry
Your hard head, gonna bring you to your sorrow, some sweet day
I brought all my money, home to you
[?] baby and you
Your hard head, gonna bring you to your sorrow, some sweet day
I asked you baby, to stay at home
You went away baby, stayed all night long
Your hard head, gonna bring you to your sorrow, some sweet day
Solo
I was sick on my bed, couldn't raise my hand
You's out havin' fun babe, with your other man
Your hard head, gonna bring you to your sorrow, some sweet day
I gave you money, spent it on your other men
You gonna need my, help again
Your hard head, gonna bring you to your sorrow, some sweet day
Now baby, you down and out
So I guess now baby, know what it's all about
Your hard head, gonna bring you to your sorrow, some sweet day
Thanks,
Scott
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC - 8/23/35 - Josh White 2nd guitar
https://youtu.be/GuqaBgzjHko
See What You Done Done
Intro - solo
What you want poor me to do, be your man and take your doggin' too
Now can't you see woman, see what you done done
Say your reckless disposition, have caused another good man to go wrong
Say you stay out, late at night
And you know you ain't, treatin' me right
Now can't you see woman, see what you done done
Say your reckless disposition, caused another good man to go wrong
Say I try to be, good to you
Now and I don't care, what I do
Now can't you see woman, see what you done done
Say your reckless disposition, caused another good man to go wrong
Solo
I stay home all the time
And let you run around
Now can't you see woman, see what you done done
Say your reckless disposition have caused another good man to go wrong
Woman you didn't treat me fair
Now I'm gonna ramble everywhere
Now can't you see woman, see what you done done
Say your reckless disposition, have caused another good man to go wrong
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC 8/21/35 - Josh White 2nd guitar
Oh Lordy Mama No. 2
Woman I love, woman I crave to see
Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Now the woman I love said, the woman I crave to see
Now she lives in [?], she won't write to me
I must do this "away from home access" more often
I hear in my head another's rendition of the song as
she never sends me letters, she won't write to me
Could it be something like that?
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC - 8/23/35 - Josh White 2nd guitar
https://youtu.be/NXxHr3r4Gwc
Stop Hanging Around
Intro - solo
I've told you once, told you twice
You can have my woman but, lay off of my wife
Said now, I done told you, to stop hangin' around
Said the next time I tell you they'll take you to your burying ground
You don't stop, hangin' 'round here
365 days from today you'll be, dead one year
I done told you, to stop hangin' around
If I have to tell you again, they'll take you to your burying ground
You can have my money, everything I own
Don't try to break up my, happy home
I done told you, to stop hangin' around
If I tell you again they'll take you to your burying ground
Solo
Don't try to play me, for no sap
I'll get me a gun and blow you off of the map
Says I done told you, to stop hangin' around
If I have to tell you again, they'll take you to your burying ground
If you don't go, where you belong
They'll soon be singing your funeral song
Said now, I done told you, to stop hangin' around
If I have to tell you again, they'll take you to your burying ground
I have heard you was a back-bitin' man
When I get through with you won't bite again
Said now, I done told you, to stop hangin' around
Have to tell you again, they'll take you to your burying ground
Thanks,
ScottN
-
Hi Bunker Hill,
I think you might be remembering a different version...The "letters" line sounds familiar to me as well (I have too many lyrics running around in my head to place in now though...). It's not from Buddy's Oh Lordy Mama (in Document Vol. 2 or Atlanta Blues Legend) and it's not in either of the two Mance Lipscomb versions I have.
I found a similar lyric to what I'm looking for in Pink Anderson's "Meet Me In The Bottom" from Carolina Medicine Show Hokum and Blues With Baby Tate:
Woman I love, woman I crave to see
Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Woman I love, woman I crave to see
Boy, she live in California, she won't write to me
...Found a close "clue" in Curley Weaver's "Oh Lordy Mama"
Woman I love, woman I crave to see
Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
Woman I love say, woman I crave to see
She in Cincinatta, she won't even write to me
The "Cincinatta" line seems pretty close and given how much Weaver and Moss interacted it might be what he was going for.
In Buddy's Oh Lordy Mama No. 2 I think the line is:
"Now she's in Cincinatta and a, she won't write to me"
Thanks Bunker Hill - you're a genius!!! Sorry I can't help you with where the "letters" line is from though...oh well, it will come to us eventually.
Thanks again,
Scott
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC 8/28/35 - Josh White 2nd guitar
https://youtu.be/eEn-5mVL9fo
You Got To Give Me Some Of It
Intro - solo
I'm gonna tell you the truth, ain't gonna tell you no lie
I'm crazy 'bout your custard pie
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it, before you give it all away
If it's good for a man, age 83
Know good and well it's good enough for me
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it, before you give it all away
Solo
I'm gonna tell you somethin', don't tell nobodys else
I want that pie all by myself
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it, before you give it all away
Come on babe, and be nice
I want you to save me a slice
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it, before you give it all away
Solo
I'm gonna do something, do it right now
I'm gonna buy me a week's supply
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it
You got to give me some of it, before you give it all away
Well boys say have to go
[?] get a dish she can't give me no more
She got to give me some of it
She got to give me some of it
She got to give me some of it, before she give it all away
Thanks,
ScottN
-
Thanks for the catches on "Unfinished Business", Scott. Two of the three I had transcribed correctly but entered wrong--doh.
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi Scott,
I finally had a chance to listen to "B & O Blues No. 2", and heard the following minor differences:
1.3 I'm gonna find my baby, LORD, she rode that B & O
2.3 I can't be, UH, GOOD no more, when the woman I love is gone
3.3 I never WOULD think that my baby would treat me so
4.1 and 4.2, front end of the line: Says, I never WOULD think
5.1 My babe WON'T come home
5.2 Now my BABY WANTS to come home
EDITED TO ADD: I just listened to "Some Lonesome Day" (14065-1) and (14065-2) and I think your transcriptions are spot on. Well done!
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi Scott,
"My Baby Won't Pay Me No Mind" and "Stop Hanging Around" both sound spot on to me. In "Undertaker Blues" I heard only the following lines a bit differently:
4.1 LORD, Lord, Lord,
5.1 Says, AND now she's dead, and never more WILL roam
5.2 ER, and now she's dead, and never more WILL roam
I'm working my way through these tunes a bit by bit. I think there are currently 26 songs' lyrics by Buddy Moss entered in Weeniepedia. That beats the heck out of 3 or four, which was what was in there of his before you got on this transcription jag. That's pretty cool.
All best,
Johnm
-
Thanks Johnm - agree with and made the edits to Undertaker Blues - thanks again :-) Scott
-
Thanks for checking that, Scott. I'll get "Undertaker Blues" up in Weeniepedia. Have you checked out "B & O Blues, No. 2"?
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi John,
Made all the edits you suggested to B&O Blues No. 2 except 5.1 is still pending
Could you give it another listen. the vowel seems to be a combined a/o in both 5.1 and 5.2... "want(s)" makes more sense in 5.1 and is consistent with 5.2.
"Wants" is also what McTell sings in both his versions that I've heard. Assuming Moss learned it from him (or I guess it could be the other way around...).
If you still think it is "won't" after a second listen I'm more than happy to change it.
Thanks - Scott
-
Hi Scott,
After re-listening, I think you're right, that it is "want" in both lines, and in the first line it sounds like he came very close to adding "to" behind it, as he did in the second line. That's a good catch on your part. It's interesting how promiscuously the Atlanta players shared their lyrics around.
All best,
Johnm
-
From Vol 3. Buddy Moss NYC 8/28/35
https://youtu.be/GLBHIiHCAa8
Mistreated Boy
Intro
My mama she's dead and my daddy he's a gamblin' man
Now my mama she's dead and my daddy he's a gamblin' man
When I come home, he's always raisin' sand
I'm gonna write to my mama just to send me my railroad fare
I'm gonna write to my mama to send me my railroad fare
And if she don't send it I'm 'on walk the railroad there
My mama she dead and my daddy he don't 'llow me home
My mama she dead and my daddy he don't 'llow me home
And I ain't got nobody to teach me right from wrong
Solo
Mmm, Lord Lord Lord Lordy Lord
Mmm, Lord Lord Lordy Lord
And the woman I love, she won't act right at all
I'm gonna tell my mama just as soon as I get home
I'm gonna tell my mama just as soon as I get home
How you women here in this town [have] treat her baby boy wrong
Thanks,
ScottN
-
Thanks John - I'm glad they were so promiscuous...with their lyrics...it helps to have "clues" to what they're trying to say if you can hear "alternate" versions by Mctell, Moss, Weaver, etc.
Speaking of garbled lyrics and clues, have you come up with a version of Broke Down Engine (takes 1 and 2) verse 5 lyrics?
Thanks,
Scott
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC 10/22/41 - the personnel in the CD list possible guitar by Brownie McGhee... sounds like Buddy to me although there's a tremolo type strum in there that is a little different (but it is 6 years since he last recorded...)
You Need A Woman
Intro
Wake in the mornin' so worried and so blue
Ain't got nobody to carry your troubles to
And you'll need a woman, a real good woman, to ease your worried mind
Ain't got nobody hold your achin' head
Ain't got no woman to make up your bed
And you'll need a woman, a real good woman, to ease your worried mind
You got a good woman and treat her wrong
You won't miss your woman, until she gone
And you'll need a woman, a real good woman, to ease your worried mind
Solo
Look at the pillow where she used to lay
No one to love you between midnight and day
And you'll need a woman, a real good woman, to ease your worried mind
Gonna lay off of women, I once have sinned
If it wasn't no women, I'd soon to be dead
And you'll need a woman, a real good woman, to ease your worried mind
Thanks,
ScottN
edited 7/14/12 with help from Johnm
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From Vol. 3 - NYC 10/23/41 - backed by Brownie McGhee on piano...Seven 12-bar instrumental solos for Moss including back to back to back to finish the song - "Play it Mr. Moss" is right!
https://youtu.be/4sIt2jpiehg
Joy Rag
Intro - solo 1
Got a girl thinks the world of me
But you just won't let me be
You don't mean me no good
You don't mean me no good
You don't mean me no good and you just won't let me be
Work hard for you every day
Still you give my lovin' away
You don't mean me no good
You don't mean me no good
You don't mean me no good but still you won't let me be
Solo 2
Got a gal she's named Sally Right
Used to love me once but she mistreated me twice
She don't mean me no good
She don't mean me no good
She don't mean me no good and still she won't let me be
Solo3 - spoken:
McGhee "Yeah" "Play it for me now"
Moss "Ah Sho"
McGhee "Hey"
Solo4
Got you apartment upstairs
You don't do nothin' but put on airs
You don't mean me no good
You don't mean me no good
You don't mean me no good and still you won't let me be
Solo5
Solo6 - spoken by McGhee: "Play it Mr. Moss"
Solo7
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC 10/23/41 - no backup personnel listed for this track on the CD but it is likely Brownie McGhee on piano
Little Angel Blues
Intro - solo
I once had a little angel, and she had everything but wings
Now I once had me a little angel, and she had everything but wings
I didn't mind the wings so much because she could swing low sweet chariot and sing
But I woke up one mornin' to find my angel had gone away
And I woke up one mornin', find my angel had gone to stay
I wouldn't hated her leavin' me so much but she carried my sweet chariot away
Solo
Well [then] is trouble in this holler, with the Devil standing by my side
And it's trouble in this holler, with the Devil standing by my side
I'm gonna get me another little angel, and cross over on that other side
Well I have so much trouble, I can hardly get along
I've had so much trouble, I can hardly get along
I thought I had me a good woman, but she done packed up and gone
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC 10/23/41 - personnel in CD list backup by Brownie McGhee - 7 more instrumental verses with Moss - gotta love the producer for this session!
https://youtu.be/zPcuxFS9e5I
Struggle Buggie
Intro - solo1
You got a buggie says and I got one too, but yours don't ride as easy as mine do
Don't get mad with me man 'cause your buggie don't ride good as mine
It's a good struggle buggie and it's rarin' to go all the time
Solo2
It's got good upholstery, got good tires all around, good batteries don't never run down
Don't get mad with me man 'cause your buggie don't ride as good as mine
It's a good struggle buggie and it's rarin' to go all the time
It's got springs in the front, got springs behind, got springs on it that I can't find
Don't get mad with me man 'cause your buggie don't ride as good as mine
It's a good struggle buggie and it's rarin' to go all the time
Solo3 - spoken: Ah [play it]
Solo4
It's a good struggle buggie and it's easy control, I know baby satisfy your soul
[?] Don't get mad with me man 'cause your buggie don't ride good as mine
It's a good struggle buggie and it's rarin' to go all the time
Solo5
Solo6
Solo7
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 3 - NYC 10/23/41 - cd lists backup personnel as Brownie McGhee only - some nice harp playing (Sonny T???)
https://youtu.be/ZZ4cTMjHhsI
I'm Sittin' Here Tonight
Intro - solo
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight
Come on baby move over [then] do the thing that's right
You can say what you will babe or do what you may
I'll be here 'til the break of day
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight, I mean
I'm sittin' here tonight
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight
Come on baby let's talk it over, and do the thing that's right
I went out last night baby drinkin' gin
I got tangled up with another hen
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight, I mean
I'm sittin' here tonight
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight
Come on baby move over [let's] do the thing that's right
She had real long feathers and real bow leg
Baby let me tell you she could lay some egg
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight, I mean
I'm sittin' here tonight
Solo
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight
Come on baby move over, and do the thing that's right
Got no use squallerin' 'bout where I been
You know roosters have a yard full of hens
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight, I mean
I'm sittin' here tonight
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight
Come on baby move over [and] do the thing that's right
You're always on needles and pins
[Know now babe] one of my favorite hens
Come on baby move over, I'm sittin' here tonight, I mean
I'm sittin' here tonight
Thanks,
ScottN
-
Hi Scott,
For "You Need A Woman", I think that is definitely Buddy, not Brownie McGee, playing. Buddy did that very same tremolo in some of the stuff that George Mitchell recorded of him in the '60s.
I'm hearing the following differences in the lyrics:
1.2 Ain't got nobody to CARRY your troubles to
1.3 And you'll need a woman, a REAL GOO' woman
I think the corresponding place in the lyric is "a real good woman" in the last line of each verse, pronounced more or less clearly in the different verses.
2.1 a typo, ACHIN'
All best,
Johnm
-
Thanks Johnm - agree with and made the changes to "You Need A Woman"...the tremolo also shows up again later in Vol. 3 (in the same 1941 session) in "Little Angel Blues." Thanks again - ScottN
-
From Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/D5OQqPQlEcI
Prowlin' Gambler Blues
Intro
Well now they say about a gamblin' man, the workin' man he stays down South
They know what they say about the gamblin' man, the workin' man he stays down South
I ain't got no job, I can't go back to my woman's house
Now boys a woman will love you, until all your money is gone
Your woman will love you, until all your money is gone
But I think I'll pass it up, and try to make it all alone
Now the woman I love, she done put me out of doors
Now the woman I love, she done put me out of doors
But I'm going back south, where the weather suits my clothes
Solo
I got a woman down south, that woman is my aim
I got a woman down south, that woman is my aim
But I ain't gonna tell nobody, she might have a hard workin' man
I'm going down south, to see what I can do
Now I'm going down south, just to see what I can do
There ain't nothin' in the [northern states], that a poor gamblin' man can do
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/x3OmbaKY3p0
Hard Road Blues
Intro
Walkin' down the hard road, done wore the soles off of my shoes
Walkin' down the hard road, done wore the soles off of my shoes
My clothes are ragged and I got those hard road blues
Have you ever lay down at night, thinkin' about your brown
Have you ever lay down at night, thinkin' about your brown
And get the hard road blues, and ramble from town to town
Bridge washed out, wires all down
My gal done quit me, I'm gonna leave this town
I'm 'on put some wheels on my boogieing shoes
Gonna roll back to my baby, to get rid of these hard road blues
Solo
I lay down last night, a thousand things on my mind
I lay down last night, a thousand things on my mind
Gonna walk these hard road, just to cure my low down mind
Come here baby, gimme your right hand
Come here baby, gimme your right hand
Walkin' these hard road, gonna drive me insane
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 1 - interesting phrasing and emphasis between verse 3 and the beginning of verse 4
https://youtu.be/sz2xjfrgW80
Jealous Hearted Man
Intro
I got a woman in Atlanta, I'm scared to call her name
I got a woman in Atlanta, I'm scared to call her name
She's all right with me, but she's got a jealous hearted man
He's so doggone jealous, he can't lay 'sleep in no peace
He's so doggone jealous, he can't lay 'sleep in no peace
He can't see nothin' that she do, for tryin' to keep his eyes on me
Now boys don't be jealous, and that's that
If a woman really love you she's comin' where you at
You can't stop her after all you try to do
You [? ?] and let her do what she want to do
Now this woman in Atlanta, she is long and tall
Now this woman in Atlanta, she is long and tall
I love her and they happy, so boys I guess that's all
Solo
Don't be jealous hearted and that is that
Now don't be jealous hearted, boys and that's that
If your woman really love you, she's comin' where you at
Thanks,
ScottN
-
HELP!!! - I'm struggling mightily with this one...any help is much appreciated :-)
https://youtu.be/fY4b6sHnFa8
From Vol. 1
Midnight Rambler
Intro
Mmm my babe my baby, you don't ever stay at home
My babe my baby, you don't ever stay at home
But you should realize, you's doin' a good man wrong
It were after midnight, just about a quarter past four
It were after midnight, just about a quarter past four
[Just as I left home and said] I've got to go
She rambled all day and don't treat me as she should
She rambled all day and don't treat me as she should
She's a midnight rambler, don't mean no man no good
Solo
She rambled she rambled, she rambled her whole life through
She rambled she rambled, she rambled her whole life through
She keep me so worried, I do not know what to do
She better ramble tonight, and do her running around
She better ramble tonight, and do her running around
I done bought myself a pistol, this is gonna be her last go 'round
Thanks,
ScottN
edited 7/21/12 with help from DJ and Gumbo
-
HELP!!! - I'm struggling mightily with this one...any help is much appreciated :-)
From Vol. 1
Midnight Rambler
Intro
Mmm my babe my baby, you don't ever stay at home
My babe my baby, you don't ever stay at home
But you should realize, you's doin' a good man wrong
[? ] little after midnight, just about a quarter past four
[? ] after midnight, just about a quarter past four
[? left home and said I've got to go ?]
She rambled all day and don't treat me as she should
She rambled all day and don't treat me as she should
She's a midnight rambler, don't mean no man no good
Solo
She rambled she rambled, she rambled her whole life through
She rambled she rambled, she rambled her whole life through
She keep me so worried, I do not know what to do
[? ] and do her running around
[? ] and do her running around
I done bought myself a pistol, this is gonna be her last go 'round
Thanks,
ScottN
Whoa! i will have to wait til the rain stops to listen to verse 1 - this tin roof is a great resonator! ;)
but I think 5.1 and 5.2 are
SHE WILL RAMBLE TONIGHT and do her running around
EDIT on reflection perhaps SHE BETTER RAMBLE TONIGHT or SHE BEEN RAMBLIN TONIGHT
-
I think the second verse is:
EARLY after midnight, just about a quarter past four
EARLY after midnight, just about a quarter past four
SOON AS I LEFT left home SHE said I've got to go
I'm with Gumbo on verse 5:
SHE BETTER RAMBLE TONIGHT and do her runnin' around
-
the rain seems to have eased off some ....
for verse two I'm hearing something like IT WERE AFTER MIDNIGHT - I can't make EARLY fit into the sounds i hear.
2.3 sounds like ... JUST as I left home
and in 4.1. and 4.2 I now hear
SHE ROAMED AND SHE RAMBLED ...
-
Gumbo and DJ - thanks for the help on Midnight Rambler - way closer than I was getting on my own!!! In 2.3 I'm not sure if it's right on but I can't figure out how to get it closer. In 4.1 and 4.2 I'm still hearing "She rambled she rambled"...I can almost get "roamed" into 4.1 but not 4.2. Anybody else hearing other changes?
Thanks,
Scott
-
From Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/SJCMPJSyudQ
Best Gal
Intro
Say my best gal quit me, and she didn't have no need
Say my best gal quit me, and she didn't have no need
Said she's going away to leave me where she could do just as she please
Ain't it hard ain't it hard, when your best gal throws you down
Ain't it hard ain't it hard, when your best gal throws you down
You can't sleep in no peace, and you can't control your mind
Mmm, Mmm
Mmm, Mmm
Mmm, Mmm
Solo
I did all I could, just to please my baby's mind
I did all I could, just to please my baby's mind
She didn't have no need to quit me or to treat me so unkind
When your best gal quit you, and you haven't done nothin' wrong
When your best gal quit you, and you ain't done nothin' wrong
Don't take it so hard, someday your babe will come back home
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/7XeccyyHUTg
Restless Night Blues
Intro - Solo
I been blue all day, I been worried the whole night long
I been blue all day, I been worried the whole night long
I haven't slept one wink, since my babe been gone
I lay down last night, I could not go to sleep
I lay down last night, I could not go to sleep
I thought about my baby, I began to weep
Solo
I weep and I moan, I cried the whole night through
I weeped and I moan, I cried the whole night through
My baby have gone and left me, and I don't know what to do
I'm goin' away, I'm goin' away to stay
I'm goin' away, I'm goin' away to stay
I'm goin' to find my baby, where she can drive my blues away
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/qOYh923qw9Q
Married Man's Blues
Intro - Solo
I'm a hard workin' man, I work the whole day long
I'm a hard workin' man, I work the whole day long
Everything I do for my baby, seem like I do [these] wrong
When your woman act funny, and start runnin' around
When your woman act funny, and start runnin' around
Some no account joker, tryin' to tear your playhouse down
Solo
I work hard, tryin' to make her happy home
I work hard, tryin' to make her happy home
[Anything to] do with my baby, nothin' is never done wrong
Now I go out an' work, I work from mornin' 'til night
I go out an' work, I work from mornin' 'til night
[ ? to ] do with my baby, nothin' is never done right
Thanks,
ScottN
-
From Vol. 1
https://youtu.be/pOwGCiQ4q2E
Somebody Keeps Calling Me
Intro - Solo
Somebody, they keeps on callin' me
Somebody, keeps on callin' me
Sound like my regular, sound like my used to be
I'm leavin' here people, and it won't be long
I'm leavin' here people, and it won't be long
I dreamed last night, I was in my baby's arms
Mmm, Mmm
Mmm, Mmm
Mmm, Mmm
She call me in the mornin', she call me late at night
She call me in the mornin', she calls me late at night
But whenever she calls me, it's bound to be all right
If I had wings, I would fly through the bloomin' sky
If I had wings, I would fly through the bloomin' sky
And if she should happen to call me, I could tell the reason why
Thanks,
ScottN
-
most of those from vol. 1 are pretty clear and i hear the same as you Scott. Married man on the other hand is a challenge. I'll let you know if i get anything.
-
Hi Scott,
I think I hear the following things in "Married Man Blues":
* 1.3--Everything I do for my baby, seem like I do THEM wrong
* 2.3--Some NO-COUNT joker, tryin' to tear your playhouse down
* 3.3--Anything I do with my baby, nothin' is ever done wrong
* 4.3--THINGS THAT I do with my baby, nothin' is never done right
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi Scott,
In "Midnight Rambler" I hear in 1.3,
But SHE should realize, SHE'S doin' a good man wrong
I am hearing "She roamed and she rambled" in that one verse, too.
Good job you guys did! That one is whupped.
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi Scott,
For "Hard Road Blues", I just hear:
2.3 RAMBLED
4.1 and 4.2 I LAID down last night
4.3 and 5.3 ROADS
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi all,
Buddy Moss recorded "Travelin' Blues", which appears on his Document, Vol. 1 CD, at a session in New York City on September 18, 1933. The discographical information included on the CD shows Curley Weaver as the second guitarist for the date, but Willie McTell in the studio, delivering spoken asides on two of the other sides recorded that day. On "Travelin' Blues", it really sounds like the second guitar is a 12-string, or at least has its first two strings in unison courses, so I wonder if McTell, in fact, was the seconding guitarist. In any event, Buddy Moss plays his guitar out of A position in standard tuning, and has an interesting wrinkle in his progression that he used for several of his early duo recordings that he played out of A: he lands in his 9th bar on a II7 chord, B7, a surprising sound, before resolving it to the V7 chord halfway through that bar.
https://youtu.be/x-KEd2YK3jI
SOLO
Said, my babe, she don't treat me good no more
My babe, she don't treat me good no more
I'm gonna pack my grip, says, and further down the road I'll go
I'm gon' catch me a freight train, I'm gon' ride, ride, all night long
I'm gon' catch me a freight train, I'm gon' ride, ride, all night long
Now if you don't b'lieve I'm leavin', you can count the days I'm gone
Says, I'm goin' to Chicago, 'cause I think it is a better town
Says, I'm goin' to Chicago, 'cause I think it's a better town
You hear me, gon', miss me, when you don't see me around
SOLO
Mmmmm, you gon' miss me some sweet day
Mmmmm, you gonna miss me some sweet day
You gonna be sorry that you did me this-a way
All best,
Johnm
-
Hi all,
Buddy Moss recorded "Bachelor's Blues" at the same session that he recorded "Travelin' Blues", and for Bachelor's Blues" the seconding guitarist is more readily identifiable as Curley Weaver. Buddy accompanies himself out of A position in standard tuning again, and Curley Weaver works out of C position in standard tuning, either capoed three frets lower than Buddy, or tuned an equivalent amount. They don't go to the II7 chord at the front end of the ninth bar in "Bachelor's Blues". There is a wonderful moment in the solo that follows the second verse where the two guitarists, over the IV chord, go into a series of bends followed by triplets, an octave apart from each other. What is striking about their execution of the passage is that Buddy, with his guitar in the higher position, takes the lower octave, and Curley, with his guitar in the lower position, takes the upper octave. WOW! Sometimes duets are completely cool. This one is definitely worth seeking out.
https://youtu.be/Ve6L53FR7mY
INTRO
My baby gone, and I'm bachelorin' by myself
My baby gone, and I'm bachelorin' by myself
And that is why, I ain't got nobodys else
My baby gone, and I'm almost in my grave
My baby gone, and I'm almost in my grave
And for her love, I would almost be her slave
SOLO
My baby gone, and she pinned crepe on my door
My baby gone, and she pinned crepe on my door
She said she was leavin', and she won't come back no more
SOLO
I'm gonna pack my suitcase, I'm gonna move back to the woods
I'm gonna pack my suitcase, I'm gonna move back to the woods
My baby gone and left me, and she did mean me no good
All best,
Johnm
-
From Vol 1
Broke Down Engine
Intro
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lord Lord Lord
I feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no driving wheel
Feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no driving wheel
And if you ever been down know how poor Buddy feels
I been shootin' craps and gamblin', babe and I done got broke
I been shootin' craps and gamblin', babe and I done got broke
I done pawned my pistol, all my clothes, and soul
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lord Lord Lord
Lord Lordy Lord, Lord Lordy Lord Lord Lord
Lord Lord Lord, Lord Lordy Lordy Lord
I went to my prayin' ground, fell down on my knee
Says I went to my prayin' ground, fell down on my knee
I ain't prayin' for no religion, send me my gal back please
If You give me back my woman, I won't worry You no more
If You give me back my woman, I won't worry You no more
You don't have to put her in my house, just lead her to my front door
Thanks,
Scott
-
From Vol 1
https://youtu.be/hxHH4jpTBNY
Back To My Used To Be (Take 1)
Intro - solo
You mistreat me once babe, you mistreated me twice
Seem like you want me to be a dog all my life
I'm leavin' you baby, goin' back to my used to be
I done got tired, the way you treat poor me
When I was with you babe says I did all I could
Seems to me woman that you didn't mean me no good
So now I'm leavin' you baby, goin' back to my used to be
I'm gettin' doggone tired, the way you treat poor me
Solo
You mistreat me babe I hadn't done nothin' wrong
So now if you don't believe I'm leavin' you count the days I'm gone
So I'm leavin' you baby, goin' back to my used to be
I done got tired, the way you treat poor me
I beg you babe said I come back home
I will acknowledge that I done wrong
So I'm leavin' you baby, goin' back to my used to be
I'm gettin' doggone tired, the way you treat poor me
Thanks,
Scott
-
From Vol 1
https://youtu.be/hxHH4jpTBNY
Back To My Used To Be (Take 2)
Intro - solo
You mistreat me once babe say you mistreated me twice
Seem like you want me to be a dog all my life
I'm leavin' you baby, goin' back to my used to be
I done got tired, the way you treat poor me
When I with you baby says I did all I could
Seems to me woman that you didn't mean me no good
So I'm leavin' you baby, goin' back to my used to be
I done got tired, the way you treat poor me
Solo
You mistreat me babe and I haven't done anything wrong
So if you don't believe I'm leavin' you just count the days I'm gone
I'm leavin' you baby, goin' back to my used to be
I'm gettin' doggone tired, the way you treat poor me
I beg you woman, to come back home
I'll acknowledge babe that I done wrong
But now I'm leavin' you woman, goin' back to my used to be
I done got tired, the way you treat poor me
Thanks,
Scott
-
From Berea College 10/25/75 - Buddy Moss solo
Cool song from Cole Porter. It was also recorded by Josh White. Allegedly Porter wrote the song in response to a bet that he could write lyrics to anything so his friend challenged him with the next words that were said in the restaurant they were at...the waiter at the next table allegedly says to the woman there that "Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today."
Madam
Intro
Well now Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today, madam
Now Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Well she's sorry to be delayed but last evening down in Lover Lane she strayed
Madam, Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Now when she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone, madam
And she ran to the man who had led her so far astray
Well from underneath her velvet gown, she drew a gun and shot her lover down
Madam, Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Now Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Now Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Well she's sorry to be delayed but last evening down, down in Lover's Lane she strayed
Madam, Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Now when the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail, Madam
Well they hung her on that old willow across the way
And the moment before she died, she lifted up her lovely head and cried
Madam, Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today
Thanks,
Scott
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Hi JohnM,
Were you (or anybody else) able to make heads or tails out of the "tip light" verse in Broke Down Engine No. 2 (takes 1 and 2)? Draft verses are in Replies #83 and 85.
Thanks,
Scott
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Hi Scott,
I have not re-visited "Broke-Down Engine #2" for some time, and so don't have anything new to bring to the table in terms of hearing that one line. I will re-listen and see if I hear anything new.
Thanks for the new transcriptions. I know they call that one song "On My Way" on the Buddy Moss CD, but it is actually called "If You See My Saviour", and was written, like "How About You" by Thomas Dorsey. Maybe there can be a parenthetic mention of that made in Weeniepedia. Good work!
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Scott,
I'm hearing a couple of differences in "On My Way"
* 1.1 I was standing by the BEDSIDE of a neighbor
* 1.2 Who was just about to cross THE swelling tide ("the" very swallowed)
* 1.4 KINDLY take this message to the other side
* 5.4 Please do try to SEE my Saviour first of all
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
I was listening a bunch to the mystery line in "Broke Down Engine No. 2", and it sounds like:
Then I get down, and snake-like and tappin' flat, slip light 'cross your floor
All best,
Johnm
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John, I think you may have unravelled one of life's great mysteries! It both sounds right and makes sense.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
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Hi all,
Buddy Moss' version of "Broke Down Engine No. 2, Take 1" was recorded in New York City on September 19, 1933. It features Buddy on lead guitar, working out of E position in standard tuning and Curley Weaver backing him out of G position in standard tuning. The take was never issued, nor was Take 2 of the same song, which has a very noticeable bobble in the lyrics. Take 1 is clean as a whistle, but they may have thought that the earlier version of "Broke Down Engine" the duo had recorded was enough.
https://youtu.be/KiweeHPag3U
Feel like a broke-down engine, got no drivers at all
Feel like a broke-down engine, got no drivers at all
And the reason I love my baby, she can do the Georgia Crawl
Feel like a broke-down engine, ain't got no whistle or bell
Feel like a broke-down engine, ain't got no whistle or bell
And if you're a real kind woman, drive away my tears
Lawd Lawdy Lawd Lawd Lawd
Lawd Lawdy Lawd, Lawd Lawdy Lawd Lawd Lawd, Lawd Lawd Lawd
Lawdy Lawd Lawd Lawdy Lawdy Lawd, Lawd Lawdy Lawd
Some screamin' Long Island, I'm screamin' Newport News
Cryin' some screamin' Long Island, I'm screamin' Newport News
I'm wanderin' around in Atlanta with these broke-down engine blues
Don't you hear me, baby, knocking on your door
Don't you hear me, baby, knocking on your door
Then I get down and snake-like and tappin' flat, slip light 'cross your floor
Lawd Lawdy Lawd, Lawd Lawdy Lawd Lawd Lawd
Lawd Lawdy Lawd, Lawd Lawdy Lawd Lawd Lawd
Lawd Lawdy Lawd, Lawd Lawdy Lawd Lawd Lawd
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Buddy Moss and Curley Weaver recorded "Can't Use You No More (take 2)" at a session in New York City on September 18, 1933. Both guitarists are playing out of G position in standard tuning, and the progression is the most common 16-bar rag-blues progression, with tags. The recording, which can be found on the Document Buddy Moss, Vol. 1, is absolutely whupped, and would be indecipherable, I think, without the unreleased take 1 of the same song there as well, to get lyric ideas from. Take 2 is much the stronger take, and has one of Buddy Moss's finest vocals. It sounds like it's pitch may be slightly compromised high.
https://youtu.be/V_BmHJo5_RA
SOLO
Baby, what made you come back to me?
I just can't use you no more
Baby, what made you come back to me?
I told you you could go
You left me sick, couldn't even raise my hands
Mistreat me, woman, for some no-good mans
Now, woman, what made you come back to me?
I just can't use you no more, I mean, babe,
I just can't use you no more, I mean,
I just can't use you no more
Now, baby, what made you come back to me?
I just can't use you no more
Baby what made you come back to me?
I just can't use you no more
I got a gal, she is my pal
Ain't throwin' her away for no others else
So now, woman, what made you come back to me?
I just can't use you no more, I mean,
I just can't use you no more, I mean, never, babe,
I just can't use you no more
SOLO: (Spoken, Moss: Play that thing like you know it, brother!)
Baby, what made you come back to me?
I just can't use you no more
Baby, what made you come back to me?
I told you you could go
You're one baby I really did like
Remember one time I was gonna take you back
And now, woman, what made you come back to me?
I just can't use you no more, I mean,
I just can't use you no more, I mean, no, never,
I just can't use you no more
Now, baby, what made you come back to me?
I just can't use you no more
Baby, what made you come back to me?
I told you you could go
Used to take my money and come back for more
But it's last time, baby, you ain't gon' do no more
So now, woman, what made you come back to me?
I just can't use you no more
All best,
Johnm
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Hi everybody!
I'm trying to transcribe the lyrics of the song by Buddy Moss "I'm sitting here tonight" and I'm finding a lot of trouble understanding what it says. if someone can help me I'd appreciate it.
This is what I understand:
Come on baby move over
I'm sittin' here tonight
Come on baby move over
Let's make things right
You can say what you will
Do what you ...
I'll be here... break of day
Come on baby move over
I'm sitting here tonight (x3)
I went out last night baby
Drinked gin
....
Come on baby move over
I'm sitting here tonight (3x)
Come on baby move over
Let's do things right
....
Come baby move over
I'm sitting here tonight (3x)
Come baby move over
Let's do things right
...
Come on baby move over
I'm sitting here tonight (2x)
Come on baby move over
Let's make things right
...
Come baby move over
I'm sitting here tonight (3x)
Come baby move over
Let's do things right
greetings and thanks!
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Hi buddy guy,
If you go to http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=143.msg72481#msg72481 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=143.msg72481#msg72481) , "I'm Sittin' Here Tonight" has already been transcribed.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Johnm,
Thank you for the information, I looked for the lyric through the searcher but I didn't see it.
All best
Buddy Guy
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Johnm, I'm hearing, "then I get down in the snail-letter trappin' flap" in that verse. In your verse there's a repeated "and" that goes with the fast rhythm; "and snake-(like-and)" is sung so quickly I can't tell whether the second 'and' is really there. In the "Take 2" version, I don't hear the "like" at all, it sounds more like "letter" on its own beat. The "k" sound in snake may be a sound-effect, the result of the enunciation of the only voiced vowel in that phrase, or a way to further distinguish between words that begin and end with the same consonant (snail-g-letter).
There was airmail around during the 30s, so ground mail was "snail mail" in comparison. Now whether there were mail-slots on doors, I really don't know. The light would be the rays of light on the floor instead of a snake's light movements. It would be like, "I feel like jumpin' through a keyhole in your door", only creepier. Either way, it's quite a tongue twister, I can't really decide which verse to sing now, yours or mine; they both kind of make sense. ;D
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Hi cru423,
I believe the term "snail mail" to be of much more recent vintage than when Buddy Moss made the record. "Snail mail", as I've heard it used, contrasts not the relative speed of air mail vs. ground mail, but rather, the speed of email vs. USPS mail. I never heard the term snail mail used before the advent of email. Buddy completely stiffs the line and many of the rest of the lyrics in take 2, so I wouldn't set great store by what he did there. I'm hearing the strong "k" sound in the take where he enunciates it cleanly.
All best,
Johnm
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snake like tappin the grass?
...the words "Snake" "Like" and "Grass" are definitely in there on the first take
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Here's another idea, after knocking and getting no reply, Buddy does a Voodoo hot-foot ritual on her porch:
"Then I get down in my snake-leather stamped flap/ sift lye cross your floor"
lol, John, I'm just having trouble with the snake slithering under the door and into the house. Usually these lines end with resignation, "well, I ain't coming here no more".
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Hi all,
Buddy Moss's recording of "Pushing It" appears on his "Atlanta Blues Legend" album on the Biograph label. He is joined by a harmonica player on the track, who I really wish wasn't there, because Buddy is really ripping it up, playing at a tremendous clip, and changing things up greatly as he goes. Basically, the harp player can't keep up with him at his level. Buddy is working out of A position in standard tuning, and although that was a position he particularly excelled in, he works in a lot of stuff I've not heard on his other recordings. His singing is superb, too.
Yes, and I wonder, do my baby think of me
I wonder, do my baby think of me
Well, I'll be back tomorrow but things ain't like they used to be
SOLO
Well now, you told me that you loved me, I found out that you were lying
Says, you told me that you loved me, babe, I found out you were lying
Said now, you were just lovin', babe, to pass away the time
SOLO X 2
Well, goodbye, I've got to leave you and I'll be gone a great long while
Be, goodbye, I've got to leave you, I'll be gone, gone a great long while
I'm gonna find me somebody, babe, to treat me nice and kind
SOLO X 3
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John, you got me putting my Altlanta Blues Legend CD on, and you aren't overstating one bit about the guitar work of Moss! It's really something!
Cheers
Pan
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He's smoking isn't he, Pan? Whew!
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Hi all,
Another very strong number from Buddy Moss's "Atlanta Blues Legend" CD on Biograph is "Every Day Seems Like Sunday", which Buddy played out of A position in standard tuning. The track, taken from a concert performance, clocks in at 5:05, and it is a special treat to hear Buddy stretch out and play at such length. And what remarkable playing it is--as the Berea College footage shows, at this stage of his career, Buddy sometimes sounded like a cross between his youthful self and someone like T-Bone Walker, in terms of the single string lines he was playing. Buddy's singing is great, too. He had a wonderful vocal instrument and sounds a lot like the late Soul Pop singer Lou Rawls. He sets up the opening line of his last verse with a spoken aside, and it does draw some laughs from the audience, when sung by the snow white-haired Buddy. He responds in kind to their mirth.
INTRO SOLO
Every day seem like Sunday, when I have you in my arms
Every day, every day seem like Sunday, babe, when I have you in my arms
Well now, tell me that you love me, don't do me wrong
SOLO
Yes, you're just like a doll, wrapped all in cellophane
Yes, you're just like a doll, wrapped all in cellophane
Well, there's nothin' satisfy me more, just to hear you call my name
SOLO X 3
I've got a woman, think the world 'n' all of me
Yes, I've got a woman, think the world 'n' all of me
Well now, you high-priced chicks, you better go ahead and let me be
I don't need no woman, mistreat me all the time
Don't need no woman, gonna mistreat me all the time
Well now, I need you baby, help me ease my worried mind
SOLO (Spoken: This sounds strange.)
I don't need no woman, baby, when I'm old and grey
I don't need no woman, baby, when I'm old and grey (Spoken: I shoulda said that years ago, shouldn't I?)
Well now, I need you, baby, help me drive, drive my blues away
SOLO
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
If any of you feel like doing some heavy immersion listening to Buddy Moss, I have added links to this thread, all fourteen pages of it. I was able to find links for all but three or four of his pre-'60s recordings and a decent number of his post-rediscovery recordings that have been transcribed in the thread, over sixty titles. I also added links to the Frank Stokes Lyrics thread which is currently on page 2 off the Country blues Lyrics board.
All best,
Johnm