Topic: Gabriel Brown Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Gabriel Brown recorded "Got No Money Blues" at a session in New York City on December 15, 1952, accompanying himself out of A position in standard tuning.  He has a nice loose phrasing on the song, often going long at the tail end of his phrases.  As was his practice when playing in A, he always played his V chord as an E minor 7, leaving the third string open.
This is a particularly interesting set of lyrics by Gabriel Brown.  How many blues songs can you think of in which the singer alludes to his "attainments"?  Gabriel Brown seems to have set store in coming up with his own lyrics, and they end up being one of the most distinctive aspects of his music.



When it's cold, cold weather, bye and bye it's gonna snow
When it's cold, cold, weather, bye and bye it's gonna snow
I've always been outdoors, ain't never had no place to go

I work too hard, baby, that's why I look so beat
I work too hard, baby, that's why I look so beat
I strain every nerve in my attainments, tryin' to make my poor ends meet

SOLO

Now, my home ain't here, and that's plain enough to see
Now, my home ain't here, and that's plain enough to see
Now, if my baby knew where I was, I'll bet she would send for me

We all work to get money, but you'll see I haven't got none
We all work to get money, but you'll see I haven't got none
There's a reason you see me happy, because I'm not the only one

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Gabriel Brown recorded "Education Blues" at a session in Eatonville, Florida on June 20, 1935.  He's joined by Rochelle French, seconding him on guitar, for the track, in which both musicians play out of A position in standard tuning.  Their duo sound was very strong and showed a lot of variety; the song starts out with Lemon Jefferson's opening lick from his "Matchbox Blues", and along about the second verse goes into a mean and nasty "Hernando A" sound much like Garfield Akers and Joe Callicott, and even more like Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie on "Something Bad Gonna Happen To You".  Hearing Gabriel Brown and Rochelle French work together makes one wish they had recorded more titles together because they sounded terrific together--loose in the best possible way.



All my school and education didn't mean a thing to me
All my school and education didn't mean a thing to me
When I met a good-lookin' woman, that was the end of me

So I left home with this woman, went out into this world alone
So I left home with this woman, went out into this world alone
Now I'm doggone sorry I ever left my home

SOLO

Now, ramblin' with this woman caused me to be down so low
Travellin' with this woman caused me to be down so low
And now my dear old Mother wouldn't allow me 'round her door

SOLO-16-bar

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Gabriel Brown recorded a version of "Franky and Albert" for the Library of Congress in the 1930s that has recently been made available on youtube.  The recording starts with the song already in progress.  Gabriel Brown accompanied himself out of G position in standard tuning for his rendition, and on one of his later solos does a nice job of using the treble to take the bass for a ride.  Here is Gabriel Brown's version of the song:



". . . doctor, turn me over slow
Because that bullet in my right side, the one that hurt me so
She's my gal, but she done me wrong"

Frankie went to the barroom, asked for a drink of beer
And then she said to the bartender, "Albert Johnson here?
He's been gone, 'cause he done me wrong."

"Turn me over, doctor, turn me over slow
Oh well, the bullet in my right side, the one that hurt me so,
She's my gal, she's done me wrong."

"I ain't got no money, nobody cares for me
Well, I guess I'll go, baby, on back to Tennessee.
She's my gal, she's done me wrong."

SOLO

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
For "Hold that Train", Gabriel Brown accompanied himself out of Dropped-D tuning in D position, probably his favorite playing position.  He had a huge bag of tricks playing this way.  Once again, his tuning baffles, but he's playing such great stuff.  You can decide if you think it's worth it.  Here is his rendition:



INTRO

Hold that train, babe, Lord, and let sweet papa get on board
Hold that train, Lord, and let sweet papa get on board
My home ain't here, it's way on down the road

Everything's so bad, I just can't live in this old town
Everything's so bad, I just won't live in this old town
I don't know nobody that's gonna have me hangin' around

SOLO

The train was rolling, I could hear that whistle blow
Train was rolling, I could hear that whistle blow
I ain't gonna leave you, and I ain't gonna see you go

I know you're leavin', that's why you see me blue
I know you're leavin', that's why you see me blue
I ain't got nothin' but memories of you

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Gabriel Brown recorded "Mean Old Blues" at a session in New York City on May 2, 1945.  He accompanied himself out of dropped-D tuning for the song, and his tuning was dire, even by his standards.  You can hear the song on the JSP set, "Shake That Thing".



INTRO

I've been forsaken, and that I know
There's nothing better, no place I go
REFRAIN: After all, I've got to go with those mean old blues

Everything I had, was just for you
If you go leaving, oh, what can I do?
REFRAIN: After all, I've got to go, with those mean old blues

You have been grown now, for a long time
I don't know nothing to change your mind
REFRAIN: After all, I've got to go, with those mean old blues

SOLO

REFRAIN: After all, I've got to go, with those mean old blues

You always told me, that I was fine
What did I do for you to change your mind?
REFRAIN: After all, I've got to go, with those mean old blues

SOLO

When I was with you, everything was fine
I was yours, but you weren't mine
REFRAIN: After all, I've got to go, with those mean old blues

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Gabriel Brown recorded "You Ain't No Good", working out of his favored dropped-D tuning, in New York City, some time in 1942 or 1943.  He really was a trail blazer in his use of dropped-D tuning, and I am convinced he influenced Lightnin' Hopkins and through him, Carolina Slim in their playing in dropped-D.  The song is a chorus blues, and as was his wont, Gabriel Brown came in singing the chorus after his intro.  Here is a link to the song, with apologies to non-U. S. weenies, who may not be able to view the video.



INTRO

REFRAIN: Now, you ain't no good, ain't no good
Well, you ain't no good, you ain't no doggone good

I gave you enough money to last all the week, Thursday, Friday, ain't a durned thing to eat
REFRAIN: You ain't no good, ain't no good
Well, you ain't no good, you ain't no doggone good

I saved my money, bought you a diamond ring, you told everybody didn't buy a doggone thing
REFRAIN: You ain't no good, ain't no good
Well, you ain't no good, you ain't no doggone good

You the durndest chick I've ever seen, can't see how a body could be so mean
REFRAIN: You ain't no good, ain't no good
Well, you ain't no good, you ain't no doggone good

Well, it's hell in the kitchen, same in the hall, fightin' in the bedroom and that ain't all
REFRAIN: You ain't no good, ain't no good
Well, you ain't no good, you ain't no doggone good

SOLO

Now, with someone else you may be all right, but when I come home it's hell every night
REFRAIN:  You ain't no good, ain't no good
Well, you ain't no good, you ain't no doggone good

I"d like to concrete the earth, let you dig, put a ring in your nose like you're a doggone pig
REFRAIN: 'Cause you ain't no good, ain't no good
Well, you ain't no good, you ain't no doggone good

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
For "That's Alright", recorded in New York City on September 13, 1944, Gabriel Brown was working once again out of dropped-D tuning.  The song is an 8-bar blues, melodically similar to Big Maceo's "Worried Life Blues", and for that matter, very similar to Gabriel Brown's own "Going My Way".  Here is "That's Alright":



INTRO

Hummed verse

That's alright, that's alright, that's alright, that's alright
It's alright, that's alright, baby, that's alright

That's alright, any way you do, I'll be a baby waiting for you
REFRAIN: It'll be alright, that's all right, baby, that's alright

That's alright, I'll have a hard time, trying to get you to change your mind
REFRAIN: It'll be alright, that's all right, baby, that's alright

You have left me, time after time, but that don't make me change my mind
REFRAIN: It'll be alright, that's all right, baby, that's alright

SOLO

That's alright, don't act like that, when you get ready, come right on back
REFRAIN: It'll be alright, that's all right, baby, that's alright

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
For "Down In The Bottom", recorded in New York City on August 15, 1943, Gabriel Brown was working again in dropped-D tuning.  He did a lot of chorus blues in dropped-D that shared essentially the same accompaniment, differing only in minor details.  "Here is "Down In The Bottom":



INTRO

REFRAIN: I'm goin' in the bottom, back down in the bottom
I'm goin' in the bottom where the weather suit my clothes

REFRAIN: I'm goin' in the bottom, back down in the bottom
Yes, I'm goin' in the bottom where the weather suit my clothes

Aw, this doggone place ain't no good for me, I'm going on back where I ought to be
REFRAIN: Back down in the bottom, down in the bottom
Well, I'm goin' in the bottom where the weather suit my clothes

SOLO

REFRAIN: I'm goin' in the bottom, back down in the bottom
Well, I'm goin' in the bottom where the weather suit my clothes

I got to turn you loose, baby, you're 'most too fast, goin' on back where I can last
REFRAIN: That's down in the bottom, down in the bottom
Well, I'm goin' in the bottom where the weather suit my clothes

SOLO

REFRAIN: I'm goin' in the bottom, down in the bottom
Well, I'm goin' in the bottom where the weather suit my clothes

Now, when you got money, everything is swell, you ain't got no money, catch a lot of hell
REFRAIN: That's why I'm goin' in the bottom, down in the bottom
I'm goin' in the bottom where the weather suit my clothes

REFRAIN: I'm goin' in the bottom, down in the bottom
Well, I'm goin' in the bottom where the weather suit my clothes

Now, down in the bottom everything gets checked, I have a million broads hangin' 'round my neck
REFRAIN: Down in the bottom, oh, down in the bottom
Well, I'm goin' in the bottom where the weather suit my clothes

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Gabriel Brown recorded "I've Got To Stop Drinking" at the same August 26, 1943 session at which he had recorded "Down In The Bottom", and used dropped-D tuning for his accompaniment once again.  His tuning here is really rugged.  This is a great subject for a blues.  Here is the song:



INTRO

REFRAIN: I'm gonna stop drinkin', I'm gonna stop drinkin'
I'm gonna stop drinkin' to make myself again

REFRAIN: I'm gonna stop drinkin', I'm gonna stop drinkin'
I'm gonna stop drinkin' to make myself again

Now, when I was up and in the dough, don't see how I could fall so low
REFRAIN: I got to stop drinkin', I got to stop drinkin'
Yes, I got to stop drinkin' to make myself again

I done lost my home, even lost my wife, don't look out I'm gonna lose my life
REFRAIN: I got to stop drinkin', I got to stop drinkin'
I've got to stop drinkin' to make myself again

REFRAIN: I've got to stop drinkin', I got to stop drinkin'
Says, I got to stop drinkin' to make myself again

I had a big joint, right in town, I got drunk one night, burnt the durn thing down
REFRAIN: I got to stop drinkin', I got to stop drinkin'
Well, I got to stop drinkin' to make myself again

I've been drinkin' all day, the same at night, don't get the stuff, I don't feel right
REFRAIN: I got to stop drinkin', I got to stop drinkin'
Well, I got to stop drinkin' to make myself again

REFRAIN: I've got to stop drinkin', I got to stop drinkin'
Well, I got to stop drinkin' to make myself again

SOLO

I've been drinkin' some stuff they call home brew, any old thing 'cause it tastes like booze
REFRAIN: I got to stop drinkin', I got to stop drinkin'
Well, I got to stop drinkin' to make myself again

I'm so bad off, don't know what to do, close this deed and I am through
REFRAIN: I must stop drinkin', I must stop drinkin'
Well, I must stop drinkin' to make myself again

All best,
Johnm

 

 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Gabriel Brown recorded "It's Time To Move" at a session in New York City on May 2, 1945. He accompanied himself in C position in standard tuning. I believe the lyrics to have been his own, which seems to be most often the case with his songs. The song, after the initial stanza has an unusual 8-bar form. Gabriel Brown's tuning was a bit puckery, as it was on most of his recordings. Here is "It's Time To Move".



INTRO

I'm gonna move away from here, I'm gonna
Move away from here, I'm gonna
Move-hoove, move-move,
Move away from here

Now when things don't groove, it's time for you to move, I'm gonna
Move away from here

I always had my way, but I'm slippin' every day, I'm gonna
Move away from here, I'm gonna

Move-hoo, move-move
Move away from here

I slip up all the time, just to save my mind, I'm gonna
Move away from here

There's nothing I can say, but I'll be on my way, I'm gonna
Move away from here, I'm gonna

Move-whoo, move-move
Move away from here

Things ain't like they used to be, and that's plain enough to see, I'm gonna
Move away from here

I thought I ran this town, but some hepcat got me down, I'm gonna
Move away from here, gonna

Move-whoo, move-move
Move away from here

SOLO

I'm gonna stand up like men, I'll take mine on the chin, and
Move away from here

I'll find some place to go, no-one will ever know, that I had to
Move away from here

CODA

All best,
Johnm



 

 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Gabriel Brown recorded "Hold Me Baby" at a session in New York City on August 3, 1949, accompanying himself in dropped-D tuning. The song is a chorus blues with unusual phrase lengths; Gabriel Brown is long in the IV chord, where the chorus begins, primarily because he inserts a little instrumental "dwell" in the IV chord before going on to the I chord instrumental fill at the end of that line. Gabriel Brown's tuning is pretty dire on the song, even by his standards. His inattention to that aspect of his music is really mysterious, as is that of the recording companies that put out his records and supervised his recording sessions. It's made all the more mysterious by the fact that he was an accomplished and inventive guitarist. Here is "Hold Me Baby":



INTRO

When you love me, baby, you give me such a shock. You make me feel sometimes the old world is gonna rock
REFRAIN: Mmmm, hold me, baby honey, in your arm, oh let me
Linger, baby, honey, all night long

You leave me down so low, baby, it breaks just like a clop. You know within yourself that I'm gonna blow my top
REFRAIN: Mmmm, hold me, baby, honey, in your arm, oh let me
Linger, mama, honey, all night long

SOLO

Oh let me linger, baby, honey, all night long

You've got the right start, baby, and you thrill me all the time, keep on lovin' you on the right side, because you're always on my mind
REFRAIN: Mmmm, hold me, baby, honey, in your arm, oh let me
Linger, mama, honey, all night long

You can love so hard, and you know I love it too, lay it on me tight, baby, that's what you always do
REFRAIN: Mmmm, hold me, baby, honey, in your arm, oh let me
Linger, mama, honey, all night long

CODA

All best,
Johnm

[eric]

There are some other artists in this genre that seem chronically out of tune and I've sometimes wondered if that's the sound they hear in their head or they're doing it intentionally, but that doesn't seem to be the case. If I recall correctly, Rev. Davis tuned his high E string a bit off, but Guitar Gabriel is breaking new ground here.

[David Kaatz]

There are some other artists in this genre that seem chronically out of tune and I've sometimes wondered if that's the sound they hear in their head or they're doing it intentionally, but that doesn't seem to be the case. If I recall correctly, Rev. Davis tuned his high E string a bit off, but Guitar Gabriel is breaking new ground here.

And Joseph Spence comes to mind, egregiously out of tune to most of us, IMO.

Dave