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Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: anjo on May 30, 2004, 12:57:32 AM
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Does anyone know of any lyrics to this tune?
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Any more clues.. like who recorded it ?
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It featured on the Stefan Grossman video "How to play blues guitar", and is similar to "Cocaine Blues"
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Hi all:
It is a Gary Davis tune. I've only ever heard it as an instrumental.
Later,
Alex
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I'm busy trying to get the lyrics of some of Reverend Gary Davis' songs, and most of them are pretty understandable. But there's a couple that stump me. Off of his CD "A Little More Faith", Davis does the song "I'll Be All Right Someday".
Anyone know what he's singing in the second verse (where I have "words sigmund shells", which it obviously isn't)?
Here's what I have:
https://youtu.be/ovZZL_-SWTE
I'll be All Right Someday
(chorus:)
I?ll be all right; I?ll be all right
I?ll be all right someday
Yes in my heart I do believe
I?ll be all right someday
If Jesus Christ I want to find
Pray tell me where he is
It is him alone can ease my mind
And give my conscience ease
Chorus
Words Sigmund shells (??)
I?ll tell him by from any other man
He will salvation on his brow
And in his arm a lamb
Chorus
I thank you friends for your advice
I?ll find him if I can
And if I do, I will rejoice
Ohh, Christ is friend to man
(spoken to guitar: Great God? uh huh? yeah)
I?m going home, I am going home
I?m going home someday
And in my heart I do believe
I?m going home someday
(spoken to guitar: Talk to me now? yeah?... one more time then quit now? yeah?)
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Here's another RGD song I'm having problems with. It's "Angel?s Message to me" off of Complete Early Recordings. Even though he repeats it like fifty times in the song I can't get the fourth line in the chorus. And I don't have the second verse.
Thanks for the help!
"Angel's Mesage to Me"
(from Complete Early Recordings)
https://youtu.be/uagB2hAOb54
I?m going home to see my Jesus
I?m going home to see my Lord
I?m going home to see my Jesus
When I?m ????
I?m going home to see my Jesus
I?m going home to see my Lord
I?m going home to see my Jesus
When I?m ????
Oh Angel tried to keep your help
And God to glorify
And never dying soul to save
Is headed for the sky
Chorus
Yeah I?ll meet my jealous carer?
And on thyself rely
And surely I?m a trustfor tree?
I shall forever die
Chorus
Many times I?m going along
Don?t know what to do or say
I cast my cares to Jesus
And ask him to teach me to pray
Chorus
Moan on sister moan on
Won?t be very long
Will be sitting in glory
Won?t have to weep and moan
Chorus
If your brother don?t like you
Don?t take his name abroad
Just seal it in your bosom
And carry it to your Lord
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This is from memory, so there might be a couple of prepositions wrong, but this should be basically right:
I?m going home to see my Jesus
I?m going home to see my Lord
I?m going home to see my Jesus
When I?m ?
I?m going home to see my Jesus
I?m going home to see my Lord
I?m going home to see my Jesus
There's a mansion up there for me.
Oh Angel tried to keep your help
And God to glorify
And never dying soul to save
Is headed for the sky
A charge to keep our health
A God to glorify
And never sell his soul to Satan
Save it for his God.
This next verse I'm not sure of the first 2 lines:
Yeah I?ll meet my jealous carer?
And on thyself rely
But: And surely I?m a trustfor tree?
I shall forever die
is
And surely I my trust betray
I shall forever die.
Chris
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Thanks for your huge help, Chris! Your suggestions (mansion up there for me, a charge to keep our health, surely I my trust betray) make a lot of sense, and even better, now I can hear them!
I now think the first two verses are from a Charles Wesley hymn, "A Charge to Keep I Have". Wesley was a very popular hymn writer who lived in the 1700s. The first verse of the hymn is:
A charge to keep I have
A God to glorify
A never dying soul to save
And fit it for the sky
Which I think, is what RGD sings for his first verse.
Another two verses of the hymn go:
Arm me with jealous (sometimes: watchful) care
As in Thy sight to live
And now Thy servant, Lord prepare
A strict account to give
Help me to watch and pray
And on thyself rely
Assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.
It sounds to me like Davis took the first line from one verse and joined it with the three from the other, so what he sings would be:
(Yeah)
Arm me with jealous care
And on thyself rely
And surely I my trust betray
I shall forever die
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Doug --
I'm glad you found those hymn lyrics, cause that one verse had stumped me for a long time.
Chris
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That certainly does clear up those first two verses. I never could make those out in a way that was satisfying...
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Words Sigmund shells (??)
I?ll tell him by from any other man
He will salvation on his brow
And in his arm a lamb
What signal shall I tell him by
From any other man?
He wears salvation on his brow
And in his arm a lamb
I tell ya... once you start to hear 'Sigmund' in there, it's hard to get it out of your ears!
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What signal shall I tell him by
From any other man?
He wears salvation on his brow
And in his arm a lamb
Thanks frankie, that makes a lot more sense!
I tell ya... once you start to hear 'Sigmund' in there, it's hard to get it out of your ears!
Don't I know it! I'm not sure how many times I listened to that phrase, and I just couldn't get it... Thanks again!
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Could someone please find me the lyrics to this song? English is not my native language and it's hard for me to understand some parts...
This song was also performed by Mance Lipscomb on the album "You got to reap just what you sow".
https://youtu.be/3xPomaCS870
THANKS!
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If you never heard the song, you can download it from here:
http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=5BA1088E6DED6FF3
I'll appreciate your help!:)
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Here you go, great tune and a good way to start Sunday morning. This is from the Say No To The Devil recording. Apart from verse 1 I've transcribed the only first lines, the other verses take the same form as the first verse. The only other recording I have of it is the Golden Gate Quartet which has beautiful singing and fewer verses.
Lord I looked down the road and I wonder
And I wonder, and I wonder, and I wonder
Lord a long way from home
And I buckled up my shoes and I started
Well I lost a lot of my friends since I started
Then I been made made to cry since I started
Well I have been going hongry since I started
Well I looked down the line and saw my mother
Well I looked down the line and saw my father
<break>
Well I've been in a lot of trouble since I started
Said I had a hard way to go since I started
<stop time break> Well I... Lord... Yeah? Yeah?
Well I been in trouble since I started
Well I had steep hill to climb since I started
Well I'm wading mighty deep water since I started.
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Oh man you are my hero!! Thanks. I'll probably record this myself soon:)
What does he mean when he say "I started", "Since I Started"? What did he start?
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Educated guess: Started out on his personal journey to religious salvation.
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Hi, Can someone help me with the lyrics to "I Belong to the Band." I would be pleased with chords too, or if you can tell me what key it is usually in. 8) Jack
https://youtu.be/4Y0RYYUg6gY
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Well, to answer my own question and post, here is a version of 'I Belong to the Band.' I found it on youtube by Jorma Kaukonen and David Bromberg played in C and capoed to D.
Capo 2:
I Belong to the Band ~Rev. Gary Davis
(Chorus)
C Am C G C
Halleluuu , Halle-lu - iah?.. I belong to the band Halleluu.
C Am C G C
Halleluuu , Halle-lu - iah?.. I belong to the band Halleluu.
C
What kind of band are you talkin' about?
Am C G C
Talkin' about that angel band. I belong to the band Halleluuu.
One of these days and it won't be long.
You?re gonna look and I'll be gone. I belong to the band Halleluu.
Goin' up to heaven gonna sit right down,
Ask the lord for my starry crown, I belong to the band Halleluuu.
Talk about me just as much as you please.
When I talk about you I?m down on my knees. I belong to the band Halleluuu.
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This is one of those songs in which you can use lots of traditional verses. Here's my transcription of Reverend Gary Davis' version on the Complete Early Recordings:
Chorus:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
I belong to the band, hallelu!
What kinda band you talking about
Talking about that Christian band
I belong to the band, hallelu!
[Chorus]
{spoken: Yes I belong to this band
Take care Christian to belong to this band
You got to get right
And belong to this band
In order that you can die right
And have being that way
You can know how to treat everybody, you know
But you have to be belong to this band}
[Chorus]
What kinda band you talking about
Talking about that union band
I belong to the band -------
{spoken: Mean for you got to get in union}
[Chorus]
Talk about me just as much as you please
Talk about you down on my knees
I belong to the band hallelu
{spoken: You gonna be talked about}
[Chorus]
{spoken: I want to know you ain?t no better than Christ
You gonna be talked about
Anywhere you go
And people gonna say all manner of things about you
But if you belong to the band, right on}
[Chorus]
Going right to heaven gonna sit right down
Ask my Lord for a starry crown
I belong to the band, hallelu
[Chorus twice]
{spoken: You better get ready and get right for this band, now
You oughta get right for this band}
[Chorus]
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As Doug replied, there are lots of ways to do this. I think this version is closer to being on than the first one posted.
I Belong to the Band ~ Reverend Gary Davis
C Am C G C
Halleluuu , Halle- lu - iah?.. I be-long to the band Halle-luuu.
Am C G C
Halleluuu , Halle- lu - iah?.. I be-long to the band Halle-luuu.
(Em) What kind of band are you talkin' about?
(Am) Talkin' about that angel band. I be- [C] long to the (G) band Halle-{C}luuu.
Halleluuu, Halle- (Am)- lu - iah?.. I be- {C} long to the (G) band Halle-{C} luuu.
(Em) One of these days and it won't be long.
(Am) You?re gonna look and I'll be gone. I be- [C] long to the (G) band Halle-{C}luuu.
Halleluuu, Halle- (Am)- lu - iah?.. I be- {C} long to the (G) band Halle-{C} luuu.
(Em) Goin' up to Heaven gonna sit right down,
(Am) Ask the Lord for my starry crown, I be- [C] long to the (G) band Halle-{C}luuu.
Halleluuu, Halle- (Am)- lu - iah?.. I be- {C} long to the (G) band Halle-{C} luuu.
(Em) You can talk about me as much as you please.
(Am) I don?t talk about you down on my knees. I be- [C] long to the (G) band Halle-{C}luuu.
Halleluuu, Halle- (Am)- lu - iah?.. I be- {C} long to the (G) band Halle-{C} luuu.
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Folks,
Not sure if these are totally correct. Maybe someone else's ears can lend a hand...
https://youtu.be/gKUAoXipV-A
If I could holler just like a mountain jack,
If I could holler just like a mountain jack,
I'd go up the mountain, holler my baby back
Married(?) one thing sure do worry me,
Married(?) one thing sure do worry me,
My good gal packed her suitcase, walked off and left poor me
Lord, Lord, see what a fix she left me in,
Lord, Lord, see what a fix she left me in,
I ain't got no home, and I ain't got no friend(s?)
Oh what a wing(?), to worry off my mind,
Oh what a wing(?), to worry off my mind,
That I will be here, ringin' my hands and cryin'
These from 'Rev. Blind Gary Davis 1935 - 1949' CD.
Pic
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There is one thing sure do worry me
and
I'm goin' away, to worry you off my mind,
Then I won't be here, wringin' my hands and cryin'.
Other than that, I think you've got it.
Chris
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Chris,
Thanks a million. It's amazing what you think you hear vs. what you hear after you know what you're supposed to hear.
Pic
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Hi all,
There were five separate threads focusing on lyrics to Rev. Gary Davis songs, and it seemed like enough to justify a merged thread. Titles of the original posts have been left as they were for ease in following the various original lyric discussions.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi, I've been learning Reverend Gary Davis's Moon Goes Down (or "going down") and I could do with help with the lyrics.
I found most of it, then stumbled across Frankie's transcription from the Devils and Angels set (thanks!) but the third verse still has me confused. Here's what I have for the moment :
https://youtu.be/DpwEsp6REwU
Well and the moon going down and vanish away
and the sun refuse to shine
And every star gonna be disappeared
The moon goin' down and vanish away
Well somebody has stole 'way my lord (oh, yes they did)
Pray tell me where he is
He's the only man can ease my mind
and give my conscience ease
Well then if you go down ?. (yonder .... ????)
and search ?.. him out ....among the ( ...????)
you'll find him there
so I was told
with no ?. ?.. kingdom to keep (?)
Thank you friend for your advice
Well I'll find him if I can
And then if I do I will rejoice
For Christ is a friend to man
And the moon goin' down and vanish away (oh, lord)
And the sun gonna refuse to shine
And every star gonna be disappeared
The moon goin' down and vanish away
Thank you !
Gordon
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Which recording are you working from? there are at least two or three, and the one on that box set (iirc) doesn't have that verse in it... I do recall that verse - if I listen to it, I'm sure it'll jog my memory.
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Yes, I should have said, that verse is when he sang it for the Pure Religion and Bad Company disc. That version is a little simpler and more relaxed. The version on the box set is great too, more restless, insistent, and the break is beautiful.
Thanks -
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Well then if you go down ?. (yonder .... ????)
and search ?.. him out ....among the ( ...????)
you'll find him there so I was told
with no ?. ?.. kingdom to keep (?)
I hear this verse as:
Well then if you go down yonder fold
and search among the sheep
you'll find him there so I was told
with those he loves to keep
he sort of bobbles the last line a bit, but I'm pretty sure that's it. Love this.
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Hi all,
"We Are the Heavenly Father's Children" can be found on the Smithsonian Folkways CD "If I Had My Way-Early Home Recordings-Reverend Gary Davis". The song is some times called He Knows How Much We Can Bear", I think, and I believe it is my favorite performance by Rev. Davis, just a beautiful song and rendition, which he played out of F position in standard tuning. Here are the lyrics, as best as I was able to hear them. I'd very much appreciate help with the bent bracketed passages, or anything I else I think I have right that is wrong.
https://youtu.be/PLiPyEjhXKA
We are the Heavenly Father's children
And we all know that He loves us, one and all
There be a time that you find the answer
Another voice and call
If you're willing, He will teach us
His voice to obey, don't make no matters where
'Cause He know, yes, my God do know
Just how much we can bear
Though your load get heavy
You're never there, alone to bear it all
Just ask for strength and you keep on toiling
Though your tears drop fall
We have the joy of this assurance
His voice to obey, don't make no matters where
Because He know, yes, He know
Just how much we can bear
SPOKEN: Just think of the times, you have asked the question,
Down in your heart, "Lord, what shall I do?"
Then again you'll find some of your friends and your loved ones
Talk all of your trouble
They can't do you no good, they're in the same trouble, too
Then your mind go back to, "There's a God that rules up in Heaven.
In Him there relief from every pain or care."
SUNG: 'Cause He know, yes, my God do know
Oh, just how much we can bear
Though your load get heavy
You'll never there, alone to bear it all
Just ask for strength and you just keep on toiling
Though your tears drop fall
We have the joy of this assurance:
Your Heavenly Father will always answer prayer
Because He know, yes, my God do know
Oh, just how much we can bear
Edited 1/29 to pick up corrections from uncle bud
All best,
Johnm
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Hi John - I agree a great performance.
In verse one I hear:
1.3 THERE'LL BE A TIME that you FINALLY answer
1.4 ANOTHER VOICE AND CALL
Not sure about verse 2. In another version from Live and Kickin', it sounds like he sings:
2.2 His voice to obey HERE, don't make no MATTERS where. I.e. it doesn't matter where. (There's no HERE in this version you've transcribed.)
I hear verse 3 a bit different:
3.2 You're NEVER ALL ALONE to bear it ALL
3.3 Just ask for strength and keep on toiling (no YOU'LL)
6.2 In him there relief FROM every pain or care
7.2 You're NEVER LEFT ALONE to bear it ALL
7.3 Just ask for strength and JUST keep on toiling (no YOU)
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Thanks for the help, uncle bud, I made a bunch of your changes. In this version at least, he seems to say "find the answer" pretty clearly in the first verse. The last line of the first verse I was not hearing at all. I think he says in that one other line, "You're never there, alone to bear it all". "Matters where" is great, I sure wasn't hearing that. I agree that the "you'll" I had in those two places was wrong, but I'm pretty sure he sticks in a quick little "you" in both places.
All best,
Johnm
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There's a small handful of recordings of "He Knows How Much We Can Bear," but the one on "If I Had My Way" is my favorite of the bunch. It's a fine, relaxed performance and he also omits a double-time section that shows up in all the other recordings, iirc.... personally, I prefer the slower, more meditative pace. The performance of "Twelve Gates To The City" from this CD is also wonderful in this way.
The song that follows it on that CD is also excellent, and is a personal favorite. The title on the CD, "A Friend Like Lonely Jesus," accurately reflects what Rev. Davis sings, but is a garbling of the correct title: "A Friend Like Lowly Jesus." Like "He Knows How Much We Can Bear," it's played out of F position and has a wonderful, flowing break - every note sounds inevitable. Like many of the songs that he sang, these are fairly common church songs, but his approach to them is unique.
https://youtu.be/V2U9ciKkcJI
A Friend Like Lonely Jesus - Reverend Gary Davis
There's not a friend like the lone, lonely Jesus
No, not a one
No, not one
No, not one
There's none like Him can heal our diseases
No, not one
No, not one
Oh, yes
Now Jesus, He knows all about, all about our troubles
Now He will surely guide us 'til our days are done
Oooh, there's not a friend like the lone, lonely Jesus
Oh, no, not one
No, not one
Oh, yes
spoken: Talk to me, now
spoken: Talk to me
spoken: Talk to me, then
spoken: Talk to me
Oh Jesus, He knows all about, all about our troubles
Now He will surely guide us 'til our days are done
Oh, there's not a friend like the lone, lonely Jesus
Oh, not one
Ooooo oooo
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Thanks Frank :)
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I assumed this song was an old traditional given the Gary Davis treatment but I'm not sure now, I can't find any other examples of it. I could be looking in the wrong places. So did he write it?
There was one word I couldn't hear but through the course of writing this post I've just figured it out so it should be complete now! He recorded a few different versions of this but there's something special about this one (in my humble opinion!)
Transcribed from album: At The Sign of the Sun – 1962
https://youtu.be/v5wvDBFwj9A
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There's Destruction In This Land
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
Men and women are passing away, into judgment every day,
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
Now you’ll see how God is a-ridin', through this old sinful land,
So it pays you to be ready, have your ticket in your hand.
Well my God is still a-riding, and he’s taken on every hand.
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
Men and women are passing away, into judgment every day,
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
God’s moving by the waters, and he’s moving by the wind
He’s moving by the lightning, yes, he’s moving by the storm.
So it pays you to be ready, to rest in Jesus’ arm.
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
Men and women are passing away, into judgment every day,
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
Some are leaving their wives and families, to do the very best they can.
They realize death keep a-riding, in a way they can’t understand.
So it pays you to be ready, to join this Christian band.
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
Men and women are passing away, into judgment every day,
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
Now friend there’s something I wants to tell you, and I want you to know,
Oh, death it keeps on a-riding, and it knockin’ on every door.
He’s a-calling for the rich, just as well as for the poor.
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
Men and women are passing away, into judgment every day,
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Listen…
Now friend there is no use of moaning, there is no use of crying,
You just set your house in order, and prepare yourself for dying.
You just keep this world behind ya, and get Jesus on your mind,
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see? Can’t you see?
Men and women are passing away, ah, into judgement every day,
There’s a destruction in this land, can’t you see?
.....................................................................
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I assumed this song was an old traditional given the Gary Davis treatment but I'm not sure now, I can't find any other examples of it. I could be looking in the wrong places. So did he write it?
He actually did write it, and had sheet music published for it during his lifetime. I saw a copy once when I was at Stefan Grossman's house about 13-14 years ago or so.
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Thanks, Frankie. I thought you might know the answer to that. I like this song even more knowing he wrote it!
I don't think Stefan ever put this song into any of his TAB books unfortunately....
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Here's a short and sweet one. This is on Volume 1 of the Demons and Angels set. I couldn't find any other examples of this song which reminds me of the "Casey Jones" story. You want him to break into telling us the story but we are left with these scant few lines.
It has one of those complex sounding, hypnotic melodies that I love so well in these songs and don't tire of the repetition at all (unlike a certain RGD tune which will remain nameless..) It's played out of F, I think.
https://youtu.be/oOQVVQPC-tQ
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Baby, What You Going To Do
Oh my baby what you gonna do?
Oh babe…
Oh babe…
..my baby what ya gonna do?
Death got my baby
Headin’ on the train
He found the head, then he found the body
Death got my baby
Down on the train
He found the head, an' he found the body, yeah
Oh Lord, oh G..
Oh baby what are you gonna do?
Oh baby what you gonna do?
Oh baby what you gonna do?
Oh baby ‘t ya gonna do?
Now what I want to sis(?) stamp(?) back my letter to the soldiers camp
...........................................
2.1 I'm hearing "got" but thinking about it, it could be "cut" and it sounds more like that in 3.1
3.3 "an' they" could be "an' he" {edit 15/2 - changed "They" to "He" in 2.3 and 3.3}
5.1.1 Think this could be a mash-up of "to" and "do is" so it came out like "sis"?
5.1.2 Sounds like it should be "send" but left in "stamp" because...err..it rhymes.
Edit: 3.3 sounds like "he" in both places where I have put "they"
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There's nothing quite like transcribing a charming tale of domestic violence before bedtime.. ::)
Frankie has the version from Demons and Angels written down somewhere online - this version is from the "At Newport" album has many more verses and really gets into all the gory details. I'm thinking it's in C. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/eOv8IhcSsmc
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She Wouldn't Say Quit
I had a little girl and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
I had a little girl and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
I begin talk to her and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Begin talk to her and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
I hugged and kissed her and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Hugged and kissed her and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
I took her out to ride and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Took her out to ride and she wouldn?t say quit
Please don?t tell nobody!
I took her to the bar and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Took her to the bar and she wouldn?t say quit
Please don?t tell nobody!
I bought a drink of liquor and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Bought a drink of liquor and she wouldn?t say quit
Please don?t tell nobody!
I tried to make her drunk and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Tried to make her drunk and she wouldn?t say quit
Please don?t tell nobody!
I spent all my money and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Spent all my money and she wouldn?t say quit
Please don?t tell nobody!
I took her to the river and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Took her to the river and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
Tried my best to drown her and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Tried my best to drown her and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
I took her to the thickets and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Took her to the thickets and she wouldn?t say quit
Please don?t tell nobody!
I begin to slap her and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
I begin to slap her and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
I throwed her out the car and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Throwed her out the car and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
I put my foot on her and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Put my foot on her and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
I begin to stomp her and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
I begin to stomp her and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
I cut me a hickory and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Cut me a hickory and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
Well I begin to whip her and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
I begin to whip her and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
Well, she begin to holler but she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She begin to holler and she wouldn?t say quit
Please don?t tell nobody!
I took her back home and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Took her back home and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
Well, well..
I throwed her in the bed and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Throwed her in the bed and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
Well, I jumped in with her and she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
Jumped in with her and she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
Well, well, well?
We begin to wrestle but she wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say quit
She wouldn?t say...
We begin to wrestle but she wouldn?t say quit
Oh, please don?t tell nobody!
..........................................
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It's definitely in C -- there's video of Rev. Davis playing it from that University of Washington session. This song has always bugged me, not so much because of the violence, which is on a pretty silly level, but I always thought there should be a punch line where she finally did say quit, like the end of Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe's Can I Do Something For You? There should be a verse about something he does that really crosses the line!
Chris
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Thanks for clarifying the key, Chris. Yes, there is something sinister about how this song doesn't seem to resolve...
Here is something of a contrast. It is from the "Bring Your Money, Honey" LP. He accompanies himself with harmonica.
.........................................
Time Ain't So Long
I got a hand from angels, time ain?t so long
I got a hand from heaven, time ain?t so long
I got a hand from heaven, the time aint so long
Oh, it pay me to get ready, the time ain?t so long
I got a message this morning, time ain?t so long
I got a message this morning, the time ain?t so long
I got a message this morning, the time ain?t so long
Well ya?d better get ready, time ain?t so long
I got the answer in judgement, time ain?t so long
I got the answer in judgement, the time ain?t so long
I got the answer in judgement, the time ain?t so long
Thank God, I got all my work before me
You better get religion, time ain?t so long
You better get religion, the time ain?t so long
You better get religion, the time ain?t so long
My God?s gonna call in judgement
I gotta meet my mother, time ain?t so long
I?m gonna meet my mother
You better get ready, time ain?t so long
You had better get ready, time ain?t so long
You had better get ready, time ain?t so long
My God gonna call in judgement
.............................................
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Thanks for that, Laura. The song and LP title didn't ring a bell with me and I found this thread: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=2259.0 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=2259.0)
I presume it still hasn't been rereleased. Anyone know any different?
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Hi UB. It's not been re-released. A UK record shop has the LP on Ebay right now but they want 40 pounds for it (why doesn't my keyboard have a pound sign???) which is about $65. I'm not a collector myself so don't know whether that's a good deal or not!
Here is my transcription of "Lord, Stand By Me" which I've been listening to and playing lots over the last few weeks. This version is from his Early Recordings album and if anyone is up for a challenge, it contains two spoken word verses with a couple of places I've never been able to hear.
https://youtu.be/TM2dF1GrfiI
....................................
Lord, Stand By Me
Standard tuning key of C
Stand by me, stand by me
Lord, ya never lost a battle, stand by me.
Stood by my poor old mother, stand by me
Lord you stood by my old mother, stand by me.
Stand by me, stand by me,
Lord, ya never lost a battle, stand by..
(spoken)
This here’s a song which I composed, when I was on my bed sick and that all Christian people, that know that God is a God to stand by in a time of trouble even with sickness, even death you’ll never put nobody before God But when the doctors can’t do you no good, God has always got something for every remedy to try on you, to do you good, ya know, and when I was lyin’ there, nothin’ I could do to help myself and the doctor had given my case up, I looked towards the sky and thought about what a man that he was, able to speak to the winds and the wind would obey him and command the sun to go out, and it would obey him and command the stars to fall from the silver socket and fall to the ground and they were able to understand God and that God was a God and they would obey, I begin to cry with a loud voice sayin;
Lord ya always been my doctor, stand by me
Lord you always been my doctor, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me
Lord ya never lost a battle, stand by me
(spoken)
All you’s that it were been locked behind a prison bar, and nothing could do ya no good mothers’ crying and tryin’ to find somebody to, to take pity upon you that would If they thought money would do ya any good to get a lawyer and a lawyer done (?) play at the trial try to get you out of a case of electrocution, cryin’, and sittin’ behind the bars and nothin can do you no good, when you hear the judge begin to say to you that ya must die in electric chair and nothing to do ya no good you can look towards the sky and cry;
Lord ya always been my lawyer, stand by me
Lord you always been my lawyer, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me
Lord ya never lost a battle, stand by me
......................................
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I think in the first spoken part it might be "even death" and "for every remedy to try on you." This is from memory, so you never know...
Chris
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Thanks a lot Chris, you have a good ear..and good memory, too! Those parts sound just right.
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Here is a very beautiful song he played in D. The version on his "At Newport" album is stunningly good but I've transcribed the version from "From Blues To Gospel" as I think verse 5, line 3 has to be one of my most favourite RGD vocals and I'm just in love with it.
https://youtu.be/TkU12uk-Rn4
Transcribed from album: From Blues To Gospel
.........................................
I'll Do My Last Singing
I will do my last singin' in this land, somewhere. Ooh yeah
I will do my last singin' in this land, somewhere
I don't know and I cannot tell where, I may be somewhere singin' in the air
I will do my last singing in this land, somewhere
I will do my last travellin' in this land, somewhere. Ooh yeah
I will do my last travellin' in this land, child somewhere
I don't know, I don't know and I cannot tell where, just since my Jesus will be with me there
I will do my last travellin' in this land, somewhere
I will pay my last visit in this land, somewhere
I will pay my last visit in this land, child somewhere
I don't know, where will be, just since my good Lord still will be leadin' me
I will pay my last visit in this land, somewhere, Oh yeah
I will take my last journey in this land, child somewhere. Ooh yeah
I will take my last journey in this land, child somewhere
I don't know where will be, I may be out on the ocean, way out on the sea
I will take my last journey in this land, somewhere, ooh yeah
I will do my last prayin' in this land, somewhere
I will do my last prayin' in this land, child somewhere
I may be in the valley somewhere down on my knees, I may be askin' my good Lord to give my conscience ease
I will do my last prayin' in this land, somewhere
I will do my last preachin' in this land, child somewhere. Ooh yeah
I will do my last preachin' in this land, child somewhere
I don't know, I don't know where will be, I may be somewhere, way over the sea
I will do my last preachin' in this land, child somewhere
...................................
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"Lord, I Wish I Could See" from the Complete Recorded Works (1935 – 1949). In C.
https://youtu.be/JS1TlHw1iVQ
.................................
Lord, I Wish I Could See – Complete Recorded Works (1935 – 1949)
It was a time when I went blind, it was a time when I went blind
Was the darkest day that I ever saw, was the time when I went blind
Lord, I cried the whole night long, Lord I cried the whole night long
Cryin’ “Oh, Lord won’t ya tell me how long am I to be blind always?”
Lord I wished I could see again, I wished I could see again
If I could see how happy I would be, I wished I could see again
Lord there nobody knows like me, that the trouble I do see
I’m away in the dark got ta feel my way, Lord there nobody cares for me
Lord it’s hard I have to be blind, Lord it’s hard I have to be blind
I’m away in the dark and I have to be led, Lord it’s hard I have to be blind
Ah there’s nobody knows like me, Lord there nobody knows like me
Since I lost my sight I lost my friends, now there’s nobody’s a friend to me
My friends turned they back on me, my friend turned their back on me
‘Cos I'm away in the dark and I cannot see, yeh they turned their back on me
Lord there nobody cares for me, nah there nobody cares for me
‘Cos I'm away in the dark and I cannot see, now there nobody cares for me
Lord my way is seem so hard, Lord I’m blind I cannot see
Said I’m away in the dark got ta feel my way, Lord my way it seem so hard
It was the time when I went blind, it was the time when I went blind
Was a dreadful day that I ever see, was the time when I went blind
Lord there nobody knows like me, at the trouble I do see
(spoken)
Y’all oughta realize that ya got the good sight, you ought ta know that it’s a good thing to have
You can see! It’s the truth, you can see, I mean you can see, you can see everything coming to you!
It was the time when I went blind
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I started to transcribe this the other day after reading big joe weem's post on RGD tunings/positions. Thought I'd get it done fairly quickly...wrong - took forever :)
Completely mad song (or story I guess, it's all spoken word). Having seen a rather comedy performance of this today and after playing around with it myself it makes sense that he is not using a bottleneck in the traditional way - and possibly not a bottleneck. When the girl "whistles" he is playing way over the frets towards the bridge.
Left with so many questions. I'd love to know his word for the made-up lady. All I can hear is something like "Pony-bill child". And who is Barry :O ?
https://youtu.be/WL7FB3Frnus
Transcribed from: Blues And Ragtime. Same version available on Demons And Angels Volume 3
Different version available (Live concert performance)
DADF#AB tuning with slide
(Spoken throughout)
............................................................................
Whistlin' Blues
I was comin' along as a young man ya know. Had no been nowhere ya know and I decided I make (?)of my mind I would go somewhere, enjoy my life! Gimme your attention now folks, listen.
I didn't wanna go no short distance I wanted to go a good ways, a long way so I could have some truth to tell. I decided I'd go to Los Angeles, California just kinda blowin' around every little while, ya know, find out just how I like it.
I done around got money enough to get to California. Show ya what a green-head man what happens to him. Spent all my money ya understand? Buy this ticket. After buyin' this ticket ya know and gettin' to this place when i hit the ground ya know I thought about getting me a pack of cigarettes ya know I didn't have one dime in my pocket you know that was something bad. I still wouldn't let it worry me. I all dressed to death and broke to death, too, didn't have nothin'.
I never thought about myself til' i looked up at the sun. The sun was going down nobody could ever meet ya understand they had didn't show any kind of smiles on their faces. So I went on ya know I kept on stompin' and dancing round there trying' ta liven myself up now didn't have nothin ta liven myself up with.
I walkin' kinda pat ya know. I happened to look back says I don't know what caused me to look back I looked back and I saw a tall girl come along and she was made-up ya know, ya know when they're made-up good I call 'em pony-builts children, ya understand? She had hair like Mary and I believe she walk just like the Lord. I kept on looking at her, ya know a man will look at a good-looking woman ya know.
I kept a walkin' pitty-pat I said well, I don't reckon I'll get a chance to talk to her ya know how. She was looking at me I was looking at her. I got her walking pitty-pat ya know she whistled at me.
I stopped ya know, I see that she wasn't gonna catch up with me. I broke out again and started running, walking, cos sun is going down and I wanna get where i can hear something goin' on if I didn't know nobody, she throw it at me again.
I stopped then ya know and I stayed there she walked up to me, first thing she done she throwed her arm around me gave me a sap in the mouth. God almighty, ya know and I felt like then I own a million dollars and I didn't have nothin'. She says come on lets go round here to the liquor store lets us get us something to drink. She carried me around there ya know she bought a jar, she bought a quart of this here the best kinda whiskey that called, ah.."Rock and Rye". She put a quart of it in her, in her pocketbook and a pint in her bosom. Says come on lets go round here where the dance is tonight, I got to play around here. So I got my head bad ya know and my nose twisted and I didn't care. Didn't know what Im gonna get killed or no, I didn't think of it, didn't have that on my mind. Ya know that girl sit down there and commence ta playing that thing called the whistlin' blues. Barry, how ya reckon she done that thing? She had one arm around me while she was picking that piano something like this, listen…
Said to me now what kind of thing is this I done got in ta? It was a while she put the bottle to her mouth and then sapped me in the mouth and gimme kiss me and throw the bottle in my mouth I got throw to the place I didn't care. I said whoop this thing for me miss, she commence ta play it.
God almighty, play that thing!
Then she commence ta singing that thing! ...Uh huh? (Yeh..Mmis!)
Oh good God almighty ya hear that? ...Ahh....
God knows...
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Transcribed from album: From Blues To Gospel
.........................................
I'll Do My Last Singing
I don't know, where will be, just since my good Lord still will believe in me
just since my good Lord still will BE LEADIN' in me
-
Lord, I Wish I Could See ? Complete Recorded Works (1935 ? 1949)
I?m away in the dark and I have to be late, Lord it?s hard I have to be blind
I?m away in the dark and I have to be LED
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Left with so many questions. I'd love to know his word for the made-up lady. All I can hear is something like "Pony-bill child". And who is Barry :O ?
I think what he says is "pony-builts." I'm pretty sure that "Barry" is Barry Kornfeld.
I decided I'd go to the North side (?) California
I decided I'd go to LOS ANGELES, California
Show ya what a green-head(?) man what happens to him.
I also hear GREEN-HEAD.
I kept a walkin' to the (?) I said well, only reason I get ta talk ta ya know how. She was looking at me I was looking at her. I got her walking to the (?) ya know she whistled at me.
In both these places, I hear something like "walking pretty [ ]" - never could make that last word out!
I said whoop this thing for me miss, she come to the play it.
she COMMENCE TO play it
Then she comes ta singing that thing! ...Uh huh? (Yeh..Mmis!)
Then she COMMENCE TO singing that thing!
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Good catch on those mistakes on "Last Singing" and "Wish I Could See". I've edited those and entered on Weeniepedia.
I'm pretty sure that "Barry" is Barry Kornfeld.
Yeah that makes sense now.
I think what he says is "pony-builts."
Still don't know what it means but you are usually right so it will go in :)
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Hi Laura,
I remember reading, I think it was in Dizzy Gillespie's autobiography, "To Be, Or Not To Bop", that the showgirls/dancers at clubs like the Cotton Club were selected to be on the diminutive side, and were referred to as "ponies". Maybe that usage had wider currency.
All best,
Johnm
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A green head man refers to someone not sophisticated, wise to the ways of the world and the demi monde.
A hick, a Greenhorn, a recently arrived person from another country (greenah cusinah) , The journey from ignorance to hipdom is a persistent theme in literature and in the Blues, witness Poor boy Long Way From Home and such lines as "Please don't mistreat me 'cause I'm young and wild, you Must remember baby you once were a child" and the appeal of the orphan, 'My Mama died and left me restless Papa died and left me Wild"
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Thanks for that reference, John. Would be interesting to hear if there are any more examples of this usage in other songs.
A green head man refers to someone not sophisticated, wise to the ways of the world and the demi monde.
These old phrases really fascinate me and I wonder if anyone ever uses them anymore. (Obviously Phil does :P) There must be some kind of dictionary available for this stuff? It seems like many could have their meanings forgotten in time - and I suppose many already have - which is a great shame.
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A few more suggestions for "Whistlin'" - most of the places should be obvious:
In the 4th paragraph:
SO I went on ya know
I walkin' kinda PAT
I kept a walkin' PITTY PAT, I said well, I DON'T RECKON I'LL GET A CHANCE TO TALK TO HER, you know. I got to walking PITTY-PAT
She CARRIED me around there?
my head BAD?
It WAS A WHILE she put the bottle to?
I got throw to the PLACE I didn't care
GOD ALMIGHTY, play that thing!
Chris
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Thanks very much, Chris. After seeing those written down they all fit well. I still can't hear pitty-pat but I absolutely trust your judgement and I'm done listening to this song on repeat - it's truly the stuff of nightmares!
:)
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Here's some reference on 20s slang words that might be of interest - not entirely sure though as I have just started on this topic. Apologies if not,
There was a magazine called "Flapper "in the 20's. One issue contained a flapper's dictionary. Here's photos of the magazine and the whole list of slang words here: http://www2.huhs.org/blogs/gatsbygazette/a-flappers-dictionary/ (http://www2.huhs.org/blogs/gatsbygazette/a-flappers-dictionary/)
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Thanks very much, Chris. After seeing those written down they all fit well. I still can't hear pitty-pat but I absolutely trust your judgement and I'm done listening to this song on repeat - it's truly the stuff of nightmares!
:)
Pitty-pat I'm the least sure of but it seemed like a reasonable possibility. Hopefully someone else will have an idea too.
Chris
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Hi Harriet. That list was a great find, thanks! When I was around 12-13 (I believe they call that age "tweens" nowadays) I used to read a magazine called "Just 17". My parents wouldn't let me buy it but a friend would usually bring copies to school.
Looking at a few more articles on "Flapper" magazine I'm convinced they are practically the same publication! Boys, clothes, hair/make-up, girl power - all boxes checked. I do remember there being a section where new and cool words were explained - very much flavor of the month and certainly they weren't used over a long period of time.
I wonder if this is similar to the list you found? With the exception of a few I don't recall ever hearing or seeing them in any context. I think we should also keep in mind that this magazine was aimed at (and written by?) young, middle-class, white females who I am assuming did not have much in common with the black bluesmen of the day.
A moderator might think this discussion (reply 48-50 and 53,55) be better moved to a new thread? Though I can't think how to word the title…
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Hi Laura,
I created a new thread, if its not relevant to Davis it might be to lyrics from cb musicians playing in other venues like dance halls or travelling shows or just an interesting bit of trivia.
http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=10107.msg85939#msg85939 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=10107.msg85939#msg85939)
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Thanks for this Harriet - it would be useful to get the relevant replies moved over there, if no one objects!
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Hey Harriet, great find! Thanks! :)
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When i was studying with him, Rev. Davis had become enamored of a song called She's Funny That Way, which had ten million verses, each more obscure than the next but many of which elicited convulsions of laughter from him as he played and sang them. I was treated to this song on several occasions..he loved double entendre "joke' songs.
I'm pretty sure i have it on tape somewhere in the archives.
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I've been intrigued by this song recently Mr O'Muck, having enjoyed the crisp delivery of Blind Boy Fuller's version. It was a surprise to find that i had a version by Reverend Davis. i got to wondering if this was one of the songs Fuller learned from Davis but it turns out the style is totally different. Tis a great song and I appreciate your mentioning having heard it first hand.
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I found a thread from 2011 for these lyrics, and I wanted to check them a little, I'm still not totally sure, particularly the "Mona", or "mourners" as the other thread suggested.
Here's what I have for "I Saw The Light" with Bull Red on vocals and Reverend Davis on guitar (on the Document collection of his early recordings).
https://youtu.be/G5F38cdUS8I
One morning I was walking along
And I heard a voice and I saw no-one
I saw the light, I saw the light (Mona?)
I saw the light, I saw the light (from the heavens ??? )
I saw the light that gamblers all see
When I saw the light it was shining on me
I saw the light, I saw the light
I saw the light, I saw the light
Don't you wish your mother could rise and tell
When you're standing at the gates of hell
I saw the light, I saw the light (Mona)
I saw the light
If you hadda been there when I'd come through...(? come true?)
And your head got wet in the midnight dew
I saw the light, I saw the light (Mona)
I saw the light, I saw the light
Oh John declared that the soul of man
Had ten conditions in his hand
I saw the light, I saw the light (Mona?)
I saw the light from the heaven
Oh Satan is mad and I am glad
He missed that soul that he thought he had
I saw the light, I saw the light (Mona?)
I saw the light, I saw the light
I don't know what your Momma wanna stay here for
This whole world ain't no friend to her / no friend at all (?)
I saw the light, I saw the light Mona
Well I looked in the East and I looked in the West
Well the fire gonna burn up the wilderness
I saw the light, I saw the light (Mona)
I saw the light, I saw the light
Thanks !
And Laura, good on you for working on "Lord, I Wish I Could See", it's a wonderful song.
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I found a thread from 2011 for these lyrics, and I wanted to check them a little, I'm still not totally sure, particularly the "Mona", or "mourners" as the other thread suggested.
The right word there is definitely "mourner," but a Southern singer would often make it sound like "moaner" or "mona."
If you hadda been there when I'd come through...(? come true?)
And your head got wet in the midnight dew
If you hadda been there when I'd COME THROUGH
Oh John declared that the soul of man
Had ten conditions in his hand
Had ten FOUNDATIONS in his hand
I don't know what your Momma wanna stay here for
This whole world ain't no friend to her / no friend at all (?)
I don't know what your MOTHER wanna stay here for
YEAH, this whole world ain't no FRIEND TO HER