McTell uses it quite a bit: "You know howra poor man feels", etc. I heard someone else do it very clearly on the juke today, but wasn't paying attention to who it was. I don't think it was very regional other than Southern Black, and I don't know for sure it wasn't used by whites as well. Any of you Old Time fans know of any instances? All for now. John C.
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"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it." George Bernard Shaw
“Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.” Joseph Heller, Catch-22
Thanks for the input everyone. I listened again after reading Frank's comments and I agree with his interpretation. Now all I need is time to put it all together ...
Dear all, Could someone help me ? I am looking for the lyrics of the Mississippi Sheiks' song "He calls that religion". The tune in on the "Stop and Listen" album (Yazoo). I am a non native English speaker and my level is pretty low. I only get the words of the chorus and can't figure out the verses.
Thanks a lot in advance. Bruno
« Last Edit: July 17, 2020, 06:22:13 AM by Johnm »
Well, the preacher used to preach To try to stay atoned
To try to save souls
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It was at a church last night Had desire to be
(I) Was at a church last night Happy as I could be
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Preacher always He was a mighty true man He gives his commence
He gives his commands? And he couldn't understand
Quote
He will swear he's keepin' God's command Have women fussin' 'n fightin' All over land
All over the land
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Therein the people Stopped goin' to church They know that preacher Was tryin-a do too much
"Therein" is certainly an unusual word to come across in country blues. But that's what I hear too. I also hear "They knowed" as opposed to "They know".
This is a great Sheiks song.
Oh, and welcome to WeenieCampbell, Bruno!
« Last Edit: November 02, 2005, 08:28:00 AM by uncle bud »
One of my favorite Sheiks tunes. Totally cracks me up, and you can't help but sing along. Then again, that's true of most of their songs... Too Long is another favorite.
I have another e-conversation with a fellow on Ari Eisinger's Acoustic Blues Message board and my correspondant is not convinced about the third verse: Preacher always He was a mighty true man He gives his command And he couldn't understand
After listening again to the song, I wonder if the verse couldn't be something like : Preacher always He was a mighty true mind He gaves his commands That couldn't [be] understand
I have another e-conversation with a fellow on Ari Eisinger's Acoustic Blues Message board and my correspondant is not convinced about the third verse: Preacher always He was a mighty true man He gives his command And he couldn't understand
After listening again to the song, I wonder if the verse couldn't be something like : Preacher always He was a mighty true mind He gaves his commands That couldn't [be] understand
What do you think ?
I don't know that I'd trust that guy over on Ari's board. He's a slippery fellow.
Actually, he's right. The second couplet makes no sense to me. I think the original first two lines are correct but can't really say what the next two are, just they they sound like.
Preacher always he was a mighty true man He gives his commands and/that he couldn't understand.
It has to be "man", not "mind", to rhyme with understand, I think (it's just drawled a little bit)
"that" makes more sense than "and", but I hear "and he"
"Commands" may not be the right word (especially since it would then be repeated in the song) but I can't come up with anything better. Commence? What's that?
This whole verse is a puzzler in that it doesn't seem to carry an obvious humorous payoff, unlike every other verse. Most of it is plenty clear except that word "commands". Perhaps it is wrong, and if we knew what the right word was it would be funnier! What else would be giving that he couldn't understand, especially knowing that he's a mighty true man...
Seems to me the humorous implication would be that the preacher claims to be true, but then can't follow (understand) his own reading of god's (His) commands. As to what exactly the words are, I can't make any more out than any body else. I'll try to give another listen when I have time later. All for now. John C.
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"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it." George Bernard Shaw
“Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.” Joseph Heller, Catch-22
Seems to me the humorous implication would be that the preacher claims to be true, but then can't follow (understand) his own reading of god's (His) commands.
ah! Thanks John! Duh! All the difference a capitalization makes.
I knew I'd seen a reference to this song somewhere recently in my reading, so checked Screening the Blues by Paul Oliver and sure enough there it was in the chapter called "Preaching the Blues", p. 51. Unfortunately, he discreetly leaves out the problematic verse. Thought you could sneak that one past us, eh Mr Oliver?
The differences in the transcription here thus far in Oliver's text:
Verse 1. "save our souls" in the 1st verse. I disagree and don't hear "our".
Verse 2. "Went from the church last night, fast as I could be." Again, I disagree, and hear "Was at a church last night, happy as I could be."
He skips verse 3. Dang!
Verse 4. "He will swear he's meeting God's command". I hear "keepin God's command."
Verse 5. "They reckon the people stop going to church". Could be "reckon". Although I think "The reason" makes more sense.
The Oliver essay is fascinating, examining both devout and satirical approaches to religion in blues, medicine show songs and gospel songs. The whole book is great for that matter...