Topic: John Jackson Lyrics

[Chezztone]

OK, this should be an easy one, since it's a clear modern recording and it's by a singer we're all familiar with. But John Jackson seems to use some arcane term on "West Texas Blues" (which he attributes to Jimmie Rodgers, but I suspect is his own song in Rodgers' style). It's from his Front Porch Blues CD. Fourth verse:
   I got a pretty, pretty mama () and a () too (2x)
   My pretty mama don't love me just like my () do.
Now what the heck is he saying there? If it's some slang term, is anyone familiar with it or know what it means?



 Thanks! Chezz

[uncle bud]

The first verse seems to be coming from "Jimmie's Texas Blues." I'm not sure any of the other verses appear there, but I'd bet some at least are in other Rodgers tunes. As to the verse in question, boy, that's tricky. All I can help with is, I hear "Lord, like my do", not "just like". Sorry, not much help. What I'm hearing phonetically is something like "boot love" -- oh, well.  This is a great song. I love John Jackson's versions of Jimmie Rodgers songs. He always pulls them off beautifully. I'm attaching a lo-fi mp3 of the song to see if any other ears can help.

Front Porch Blues is also a really wonderful CD, which I notice is not on the Juke. I'd recommend it to everyone, especially if you like songsters. John was amazing. One of my current favorites off this CD is Steel Mill Blues. In the notes it goes uncredited, and John says he can't remember who it was by. But it seems to be a version of Ralph Willis's Steel Mill Blues, which in turn seems loosely based on Blind Blake's song of the same title.

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[Johnm]

Hi Chezz,
I think John is saying,
   I got a pretty, pretty mama, Lord, and a bulldog, too(2)
   My pretty mama don't love me, Lord, like my bulldog do
All best,
Johnm

[uncle bud]

Yup, sounds good to me, John. It's clear now that you've pointed it out.

P.S. We've also managed to get Front Porch Blues on the Juke rather quickly as well. 

[Chezztone]

"Bulldog"! Yup, of course that's it. I been trying to figure out why a "boodlum" loved him. Very good. Thanks, John!

[Steve Pajik]

Hi, y'all ...

Just wondering if anyone knows of a site or other resource which contains the lyrics to all the tunes on John Jackson's album "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down". Using an out of print Mel Bay book of transcriptions as my guide, I have given myself the goal of learning and recording all the songs on this album (but excluding the banjo instrumental, methinks!). Kinda crazy but it seems like a fun and rewarding personal challenge! 

The only problem is that the Mel Bay book doesn't contain the lyrics (beyond the first verses, at least) and I've searched high and low on the Web and can't find anything!! I reckoned I could search for the individual tunes on the album and maybe find some variation of the lyrics that way, even if it was based on another artist's version. But I struck out with the album's very first song Going Down In Georgia On a Horn, so I'm conceding defeat!

I could try to figure them out by ear, but I have virtually no talent for deciphering lyrics at the best of times ... and Jackson's accent would make this approach even more intimidating. hehe

Would everyone be up for the challenge of going through this album song by song, perhaps?? 

In any event, any help would be much appreciated. 

Cheers!

[Steve Pajik]

I should add that if anyone is game to help me figure out some of the lyrics, I'm not really concerned with the songs in which there exists many variations that can be found on the Web and elsewhere - "John Henry", "Nobody's Dirty Business" "Police Dog Blues" etc. Focus would be on the ones that aren't as common - such as "Going Down In Georgia On a Horn".

 

EDIT: If no one knows of any useful lyric resource(s) I can use, I'll definitely go through the songs by myself and determine which ones I'll need help with, then I'll present you guys with a final I-need-help-with-these-songs! list. 

[Steve Pajik]

Well, after scouring the web, cobbling together lyrics from other artists and sources, plus listening to the songs closely and using the Mel Bay book as my guide, I've narrowed down the list of songs I need help with to a mere two!

The two songs I need help with are:

Going Down In Georgia On a Horn
Trucking Little Baby

Any help with these lyrics would be great! I don't think they're that complex - I just have trouble deciphering Jackson's accent sometimes.  If I get some free time later today, I'll post what I've figured out so far. However, if anyone feels ambitious, feel free to take a crack at them both beforehand! 

Thanks!

[uncle bud]

Hi Steever - fun project. There's a lot of playing in that album. Learn the banjo tune too.  How is the Mel Bay book? Who did the transcriptions?

 Here's my take on Going Down In Georgia on a Horn. Darby and Tarlton recorded Down In Florida On a Hog, and there are other "On a Hog" songs that escape me at the moment, though it's a traditional line. I'm not 100% certain John Jackson sings "horn" and not "hog", but have transcribed it as "horn".

 

Going Down In Georgia On a Horn - John Jackson

Said, I'm goin' down in Georgia on a horn
Goin' down in Georgia on a horn
Oh lordy me, trouble that I see
Goin' down in Georgia on a horn

I ain't had my right mind today
I ain't had my right mind today
Oh lordy me, trouble that I see
I ain't had my right mind today

Oh Lord, won't you please come down here
Oh Lord, won't you please come down here
Oh lordy me, trouble that I see
Oh Lord, won't you please come down here

Says I ain't had my right mind today
I ain't had my right mind today
Oh lordy me, trouble that I see
I ain't had my right mind today

Said I'm goin' down in Georgia on a horn
Goin' down in Georgia on a horn
Oh lordy me, trouble that I see
Goin' down in Georgia on a horn

[Steve Pajik]

Thanks, Bud! That's great! I was having a lot of trouble understanding that third verse in particular, plus the odd word here and there throughout the tune. Now I can start my John Jackson Challenge - it was kinda delayed because GDIGOAH is the first track on the album! 

I never thought about the word "horn" actually being "hog". "Hog" sounds more appropriate. Kinda sounds like Jackson is singing "hog", too. But alas, the song is listed with the word "horn" so that's what I'll go with!

This is the Mel Bay book I'm using: http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=2937610678&searchurl=sts%3Dt%26tn%3Djohn%2Bjackson%2Bdon%2527t%26x%3D45%26y%3D11

Lenny Carlson did the transcriptions. http://www.melbay.com/authors.asp?author=83

It's actually better than I expected it to be. It provides an excellent starting point. Entire songs aren't transcribed, but there's enough that if you're reasonably familiar with this style of playing, you can easily fill in the gaps. For a book that's been out of print for a while, I'm surprised that it's still available at such a reasonable price, too. Definitely worth a look if you like Jackson's stuff!

However, in a perfect world, the lyrics would have been transcribed, too. 

Anyway, thanks again for deciphering the GDIGOAH lyrics!

Steever

[lindy]

Just a quick note here: after I met John for the first time at the first Port Townsend workshop I attended, I went looking for the meaning of "horn" (I stupidly spaced out on asking him during the week). I found out that it's equal to a "scow"--not quite as large as a barge, but a flat-bottomed boat used for hauling stuff by river or along a coast. Can't remember where I got that info, it was '96 when I found it--in a book, not online, can you believe it?

Lindy

[Steve Pajik]

Lindy,

Firstly, thanks for the info on the meaning of "horn"! I was definitely curious - but it was really bugging my co-worker that he didn't know (he's a word nut who designs crosswords; he's had a few published in the NYTimes, LATimes, etc). In fact, I think I'll lord it (the fact that I know a word definition he doesn't know) over him for a while before I tell him exactly what kind of horn Jackson was referring to. 

Secondly, you met (and presumably got lessons from) John Jackson?!! That is cool beyond belief. 

Thirdly, what the heck is this "book" thing you speak of?! Is it like Google? 

Steever

[lindy]

There's several people associated with Weenie who had the immeasurable pleasure of meeting John and learning songs from him at the Port Townsend workshop. Use the search function or tags, and you'll find lots of stories and memories of that wonderful man.

After I posted my reply I went searching for confirmation on the Web for the word "horn"; I Googled combinations of "horn" "barge" and "scow", and didn't find anything. My memory is clear about reading that definition a long time ago, but I want a second source.

There's two other possibilities that would fit with the song title: horns on a cleat for tying a boat to a dock--sitting on a horn to Georgia wouldn't be much fun. The other is a horn timber, which supports the overhand of a boat's stern. Maybe the original songster was singing about sitting in a very uncomfortable place on a boat as he gets a cheap ride to Georgia.

I'm checking with a friend who knows a bunch about wooden boats . . .

L

 

[uncle bud]

The other possibility is that John just got the words wrong, or created new ones from what he misheard, not unprecedented, even within his own discography.

Digging into the past where the "on a hog" line has come up before, banjochris posted the following back in aught five:

I'm not sure about the first two lines of the last verse, so any help would be appreciated.
(snip)
   I was down in Cincinnati, baby, on the hog
   I'm down in Cincinnati, baby, on the hog
   I'm drinkin' muddy water, sleep in a hollow log

I don't have the record handy to listen to, but that's almost certainly right. According to a dictionary of old hobo slang (at http://www.hobonickels.org/alpert04.htm) -- on the hog means broke. The same phrase is in Darby and Tarlton's first record, "Down in Florida on a Hog," and is sort of there in John Jackson's "Going Down to Georgia on a Horn." I think I remember reading somewhere that a hog was slang for a railroad engine, so on the hog would mean on the bum.

Chris

The old-time singer Samantha Bumgarner used the line as "Goin' down in Florida on a bum" in her "Worried Blues" and "Georgia Blues" (though I can't find my recording of this so I am going by banjochris's very nice version of it).

Howard Odum collected a song called "On a Hog" (in The Negro and His Songs) with the following verse:

Come 'way to Georgia to git on a hog
Come 'way to Georgia to git on a hog
Come 'way to Georgia to git on a hog
Lord come 'way to Georgia to git on a hog

Bumgarner's songs are versions of what's become known as Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad or Lonesome Road Blues. John Jackson's song is rather different though.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I just found this version of "Frankie and Johnny" by John Jackson.  John backed himself out of C position in standard tuning for it. I'm not at all sure I have the ending of the first line of the third verse from the end right, so any help would be appreciated.  Here it is:



Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts, oh Lord, how they did love
Sure be true to each other, true as the stars above
"He was my man, but he done me wrong."

Frankie went down to the corner, just for a bucket of beer
"Mr. Bartendler [sic], have my lovin' Johnny been here?
He was my man, but he done me wrong."

"I ain't going to teach you know story, I ain't going to tell you no lie.
I seen your lovin' Johnny, makin' love to Nellie Bye."
"He was my man, but he done me wrong."

Frankie looked over the transom, she got her little .44,
Say, "root", she shot three times, through that hardwood door
She shot her man, but he done her wrong

"Roll me over easy, roll me over slow,
Roll me over, 'cause my right side hurts me so."
"He was my man, but he done me wrong."

Bring out your rubber-tired buggy, bring out your steamin' hack
"I'm a-takin' my man to the graveyard, ain't gon' bring him back,
Was my man, but he done me wrong."

SOLO

They took Frank down to the warden, asked him what he's gonna do
The judge, he said to Frankie, "It's the 'lectric chair for you,
You shot your man, but he done you wrong."

This don't have no moral, this don't a-have no end
This story goes to show, just t'ain't no good in men
"He was my man, but he done me wrong."

Edited 9/22 to pick up correction from Rivers

All best,
Johnm



 

[Rivers]

I hear "steamin' hack" also, as in a hard ridden horse. But I believe the preposition is "your", not "the"

Bring out your rubber tired buggy, bring out your steamin' hack

[Johnm]

Thanks for the catch, Rivers.  I re-listened and right you are.  I've made the change.  Thanks!
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
John Jackson recorded "Steamboat Whistle Blues", accompanying himself out of Vestapol tuning, on his first Arhoolie album.  The song is a 16-bar blues, very much in the "K. C. Moan" family.  John varied some phrase lengths as he went along, especially in his solo, and utilized occasional "breath-catcher" bars, too.  Here is "Steamboat Whistle Blues":



INTRO SOLO

Lord, I hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow
Say, I hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow
Lord, I hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow
Lord, she blows like she never blowed before

Now, I'm goin' where the chilly winds don't blow
I'm goin' where the chilly winds don't blow
Now I'm goin' where the chilly winds don't blow
Say, I'm goin' where the climate suits my clothes

SOLO

Say I'm goin' away, but I ain't never comin' back
Say I'm goin' away, but I ain't never comin' back
Say I'm goin' away, but I ain't never comin' back
Them doggone bloodhounds now is on my track

Lord, I hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow
Said, I hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow
Say, I hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow
She blows like she never blowed before

SOLO

Lord, I hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow
I hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow
Said, I hate to hear that steamboat whistle blow
Yes, it blows like she never blowed before

SOLO

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
John Jackson's "Bear Cat Blues" was the opening track on his second Arhoolie album. It is a real guitar showpiece which he played in G position, standard tuning, borrowing Blind Blake's signature lick from "Police Dog Blues" and transposing it to G, where it sits very naturally. Much of his rendition is devoted to solos, and I was able to observe at the Port Townsend Country Blues Workshop, decades after John recorded the tune, the extent to which he played it as a set piece, sticking very closely to the piece as he played it on the recording even after all that time had elapsed. Here is "Bear Cat Blues":



INTRO

Said bear cat, wild cat, stayed home last night
Said bear cat, wild cat, stayed home last night
Says all he'll do is nothin' but fuss and fight

SOLO

I'm leavin' here runnin', walkin' is too slow
I'm leavin' here runnin', walkin' is too slow
I'm leavin' you, mama, never come back no more

SOLO X 3

Says tell me, mama, honey, where you stay last night
Said, tell me, mama, said, where you stay last night
Your clothes all tangled, clothes ain't fittin' you right

SOLO

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Here is John Jackson's version of "Railroad Bill", from his Alligator CD, "Front Porch Blues", from 1999. Like most other players, he chose to play the song out of C position in standard tuning. Here is "Railroad Bill":



INTRO SOLO

Railroad Bill, he said that he will
He never worked and he never will, let him
Ride, you Railroad Bill

Railroad Bill, he rode out West
He shot brass buttons off the sheriff, his vest, let him
Ride, you Railroad Bill

Theodore McKinley, he shot so fine
He shot nine holes through a silver dime, let him
Ride, you Railroad Bill

A cementery [sic] buggy and a cementery hack
Gon’ take old Caleb to the graveyard and ain’t gon’ bring him back let him
Ride, you Railroad Bill

SOLO X 2

Some give a nickel, and some give a dime
I wouldn’t give five dollars for that girl of mine, let her
Ride, you Railroad Bill

Wash my jumpers, starch my overhall
Poor boy come home, on that Cannonball, let him
Ride, you Railroad Bill

SOLO

Railroad Bill, he said that he will
He never worked and he never will, let him
Ride, you Railroad Bill

CODA

All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

Brownskin Woman


I’m having a hard time deciphering some of John’s Virginia drawl.
The video might not play in the UK. The recording is from John’s 1979 Rounder LP “Step It Up And Go”.

John Jackson – Vocals, Guitar

May, 1978
Newton, Massachusetts

C position





INTRO SOLO

I got a brownskin woman, she don't pay me no mind
Brownskin woman, she don't pay me no mind
She finds her lovin’, out on her Daddy’s farm

Say, brownskin woman, where you get your sugar bun?
Brownskin woman, where you get your sugar bun?
Says, I find my sugar, out on my Daddy's farm

I got a brownskin woman, she lives up on that hill
Brownskin woman, she lives up on that hill
She got ways like tiger, can’t keep her body still

SOLO

Change in the ocean, change in deep blue sea
Change in the ocean, change in deep blue sea
Says, change in my woman, be no change in me

I got a brownskin woman, she don't pay me no mind
Brownskin woman, she don't pay me no mind
She got ways like tiger, can’t keep her body still

[Johnm]

Hi Blues Vintage,
I'll try to get what I hear.

   1.1 I got A brownskin woman . . .
   1.3 . . . OUT on her daddy's farm

   2.1 . . . WHERE you get your sugar BUN
   2.2 . . . WHERE you get your sugar BUN
   2.3 Says, I FINDS my sugar, OUT on my daddy's farm

   3.1 I got A brownskin woman . . .
   3.3, 5.3 She got ways like TIGER . . .

[Blues Vintage]

Thanks, John.  I took them all except 2.3.
I had "tiger" originally but thought that could't be right. Very weird speech there.
I guess he just changed Fuller's "tadpole" to "tiger" and "plum" to "bun".  Alright by me.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
John Jackson played "You Ain't No Woman" out of C position in standard tuning with a common raggy progression and characteristic asymmetrical phrasing. Lyrically, this seems like one teen-ager or pre-teen addressing another, and melodically it seems like a kids' song, too. Here it is:



INTRO SOLO

You ain't no woman, you nothin' but a chile'
If you want me to love you, have to wait a little while

SOLO

You make good coffee, you make good tea
You make the best pork chop, that ever did eat

SOLO

You ain't no woman, you nothin' but a chile'
If you want me to love you, have to wait a little while

SOLO

You make me happy, you make me sad
But now you the best friend that I ever had

SOLO

You ain't no woman, you nothin' but a chile'
-- me to love you, have to wait a little while

SOLO

All best,
Johnm

 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
John Jackson played "Going Down In Georgia On A Horn" out of G position in standard tuning. I believe in an earlier discussion on-site, uncle bud pointed out that a train engine was sometimes referred to as a "hog", and there was some surmise that this is what John Jackson meant in his title. Without being able to ask him, there's no way of knowing at this point. I'm not at all sure I have the third verse right, after the opening "Oh Lord" and would appreciate correction or corroboration. Here is the song:



INTRO SOLO

I'm going down in Georgia on a horn
Going down in Georgia on a horn
Oh Lordy me, troubles that I see
Going down in Georgia on a horn

I ain't had my right mind today
I ain't had my right mind today
Oh Lordy me, troubles that I see
I ain't had my right mind today

SOLO

Oh Lord, won't please come down here
Oh Lord, won't please come down here
Oh Lordy me, troubles that I see
Oh Lord, won't please come down here

SOLO

Says I ain't had my right mind today
I ain't had my right mind today
Oh Lordy me, troubles that I see
I ain't had my right mind today

SOLO

I'm going down in Georgia on a horn
Going down in Georgia on a horn
Oh Lordy me, troubles that I see
Going down in Georgia on a horn

All best,
Johnm



 

[Old Man Ned]

Sounds like "Oh Lord, won't please come down here" to me. The only word I'm having trouble hearing is 'won't', but I can't think what else it could be.
All the Best,
Ned

[Blues Vintage]

I find John Jackson really hard to understand at some words even if the recording is crystal clear.

In "You Ain't No Woman" I hear a quick "I" before "ever".

You make the best pork chop, that I ever did eat

Not sure about "eat" but with his accent that could be right.

[Johnm]

Thanks for the suggestions, Old Man Ned and Blues Vintage. I think I'll leave both transcriptions as they are. I think if he snuck in a quick "I" in that line in "You Ain't No Woman", Blues Vintage, you'd hear some sort of blending of vowel sounds from "I" and "ev" in "ever" and I'm hearing only the vowel sounds of "ev".

[Johnm]

This doesn't pertain to his lyrics, but every time I return to John Jackson's music I'm reminded what a beautiful tone he had on the guitar--such a big, open, rich and balanced sound. Gibson should have given him an endorsement deal.