Topic: Avian references or imagery in the blues

[Stumblin]

Hi, I'm a bit stuck trying to think of any blues which use birds as an image, reference, metaphor, simile etc.
Sonny Boy Williamson's Bluebird Blues is the only one I can think of right now apart from Pick Poor Robin Clean.
There seem to be plenty of bees, but what about the birds?
Any help much app. Ta.

[Johnm]

Hi Andy,
Willie "61" Blackwell did "Bald Eagle Blues", lyrics to which can be found at:  http://weeniecampbell.com/wiki/index.php?title=Bald_Eagle_Blues
and Peg Leg Howell and his Gang did "Turkey Buzzard Blues", which really just had one bird verse, and he also did "Turtle Dove Blues" by himself.
All best,
Johnm

[ScottN]

Buddy Moss's "I'm Sittin Here Tonight" has some colorful plays on roosters, hens, feathers, and eggs.

Thanks,
            Scott

[Johnm]

Also, Charley Patton's "Banty Rooster Blues". 

[Stuart]

"Bird Nest Bound"

[ScottN]

Not sure that "Crow" Jane fits...
MJH and Pink Anderson have different songs called Chicken. MJH has "Redwing" that he loves to hear sing but doesn't come out and say it is a bird specifically.

Bo Carter has "Shoo that Chicken"

Pink Anderson's Mutton Stew talks about chickens and goose

[nobocaster]

Lottie Kimbrough's Lost Lover Blues..

"I wish I had wings like a little bluebird, I'd fly to the one that I love"
Plus bird calls in the background!

[Gumbo]

Charley Lincoln's "Hard Luck Blues" has

As sure as the sparrow, mama babe, flyin' in the air
Sure as the sparrow flys, he's in the air
I got a lovin' sweet mama in this world somewhere

http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=2518.msg19098#msg19098

EDIT Gus Cannon's "My Money Never Runs Out" features Quail on Toast! as does Can You Blame the Coloured Man

[jpeters609]

Skip James's "Devil Got My Woman" has, as I recall:

But my mind got to rambling
Like a wild geese from the west

I believe this turn of phrase shows up in a number of tunes.

[Gumbo]

though not exactly country blues parrots are popular in old timey music as evidenced by the many versions of Pretty Polly, and Lucille Bogan's Shave Em Dry even features a Cockatoo!

[harvey]

I am sure there are loads of references to Chicken

One that springs to my mind Stokes and Sane "Chicken you can roost behind the moon"

[Norfolk Slim]

Del Rey has an entire cd devoted to chicken related blues songs I believe...

Also- Eagle Ridin' Papa from Tennessee by Broonzy.

[Pan]

Sweet Papa Stovepipe - All Birds Look Like Chicken to Me

Cheers

Pan

[dj]

The Duck's Yas Yas - Tampa Red, Georgia Tom, Jack O'Diamonds, and Oliver Cobb all had versions.

George Carter and Blind Boy Fuller, in songs titled "Weeping Willow", both mention doves and, possibly, whippoorwills.

[Gumbo]

Lonnie Johnson - Blackbird Blues
Furry Lewis/Bukka White and Gus Cannon - A Bird To Whistle
Big Joe Williams - Canary Bird
Guitar Slim and JellyBelly - Humming Bird Blues
Tommy McLennan - Bluebird Blues
Gus Cannon also has Feather Bed which is always worth mentioning!