Topic: George Noble Lyrics

[Blues Vintage]

Sissy Man Blues

The lyrics are nearly identical to Kokomo Arnold’s version who recorded the song 6 weeks earlier.

George Noble – Vocals, Piano

Chicago, Illinois
March 5, 1935


Key of G





I believe I believe I go back home
I believe I believe I go back home
Acknowledge to my good gal I have done you no wrong
 
I'm gonna ring up China thinkin' about my good gal over there
I'm goin' to ring up China see if I can't find my good gal over there
The Good Book tells me I got a good gal in this world somewhere
 
Hollerin' church bells on one sunday morning
Hollerin’ church bells on one sunday morning
Some dirty deacon come and stole my good girl and gone

I woke up this morning with my pork grinder-all in my hand
Woke up this morning with my pork grinder-all in my hand
If you can't send me no woman please send me some sissy man

I'm going to sing these blues mama I'm gonna lay them upon your shelf
 I'm gonna sing these blues mama I'm goin' to lay them upon your shelf
You're goin' to hear these blues again mama you sure going to sing them yourself

[Johnm]

Hi Harry,
I think he's singing pork grindER and smearing that last syllable into the word "all" that follows. You can especially hear it in the first line of that verse.
All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

Possibly but I'm not convinced. I think I leave like this.

A "pork chop" is a dick in colloquial black speech according Stephen Calt's "Barrelhouse Words".

He gives this example; Tom Dickson - Labor Blues (yes, his name has dick in it)
If you good men want to keep her outta town at night
If you good men want to keep her outta town at night
Just feed her little pork chops soothes her appetite

Is Noble singing about (unsatisfying) masturbation here? If there's no woman available a sissy man will do (gay black male).

[Johnm]

I know exactly what he's talking about, Harry, but the item in questions is a grinder, not a grind, which has an altogether different meaning.

[banjochris]

Hi Harry,
I think he's singing pork grindER and smearing that last syllable into the word "all" that follows. You can especially hear it in the first line of that verse.

Agree with John on this one, you can hear the "r" and I don't think it's an accent thing.
Chris

[Blues Vintage]

OK, I made the change. Thanks both.