Topic: Words that only appear once in Blues lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I reckon Sunnyland Slim got the lyric from Willie Blackwell's "Machine Gun Blues".
All best,
Johnm

[jpeters609]

Hi all,
I reckon Sunnyland Slim got the lyric from Willie Blackwell's "Machine Gun Blues".

And then Baby Boy Warren went and used them for his "Baby Boy Blues."

[David Kaatz]

Hi all,
I reckon Sunnyland Slim got the lyric from Willie Blackwell's "Machine Gun Blues".

And then Baby Boy Warren went and used them for his "Baby Boy Blues."

Nice find!
Although it's a proper name, I bet "Campanella" is a rarely used in Blues lyric.
Love the baseball references. I easily heard Jackie Robinson, perked up at Campanella, had to listen a couple times to get (mostly) clear what he is singing.

Bring me my machine gun, bring me two or three belts of balls
(repeat)
I want to go and free my baby, from behind the penitentiary walls

All the women call me Jackie Robinson, I don't even hold second base
Why the women call me Jackie Robinson, I don't even hold second base
But the people catch like Campanella, I pitch just like old Satchel Paige

I want to be a prize fighter, box just like old Sugar Ray
(repeat)
But my baby she knocked me out this morning, and I sold my boxing gloves away

Can't sleep for dreaming, and I just can't stay [??] for crying
(repeat)
Ever since my baby walked off and left me, I just can't get her off my mind

[Johnm]

Hi all,
How about K. C. Douglas's use of "dandruff" in "Make Your Coffee"?

You know, I'll make your coffee, bring it to your bed
Says, I'll make your coffee, honey, and bring it to your bed
You know, I'll take my comb, honey, and scratch dandruff from your head

All best,
Johnm

[Parakeet Pete]

"Disco" in Jessie Mae Hemphill's "Jump Baby Jump"??

"Do the disco, baby, do the disco baby."

Man, I love that woman so-o-o much I just want to dig her up and marry her.

[chickenlegs]

Hey all,
How about Willie Brown's use of "ambitious" in "M&O Blues" fourth verse.
"I started to kill my woman till she laid down 'cross the bed
I started to kill my woman till? laid down 'cross the bed
And she looked so ambitious till I took back everything I said"

Also, maybe "deceitful" (pronounce 'ceitful) in the seventh verse of Charley Patton's "Jim Lee-Part 1"
"I lay my head in a 'ceitful woman's arms
And she laid her nappy head in mine"

Listening to it, maybe "plumb" in third the verse of same song.
"I'm a poor ol' boy and a long ways from home
And you causin' me to leave my plumb good home"

"bouncer(?)" in the sixth verse.
"I got a kid on the wheeler got a bouncer on the plow
Got a plowin'(plumb?) good man bringin' down the  (?) (?)"

And "sandbar" in the tenth and final verse.
"Well that big Jim Lee keep-a backin' up and down
He's sandbar stuck man he's gettin' water bound"

[banjochris]

Also, maybe "deceitful" (pronounce 'ceitful) in the seventh verse of Charley Patton's "Jim Lee-Part 1"
"I lay my head in a 'ceitful woman's arms
And she laid her nappy head in mine"

Blind Lemon recorded a "Deceitful Brownskin Blues" -- it pops up occasionally.
Chris

[Chezztone]

StuNasty, I think you got it right with "soft-serve ice cream"! Brilliant!
Here's another: "goo loo loo" in Willie McTell's "It's a Good Little Thing." Ch.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
It is definitely not "soft serve ice cream" in "Keep It Clean".  According to various sources available via Google, soft serve ice cream was introduced in the mid-'30s, years after Charley Jordan recorded "Keep It Clean".  The correct lyric is "saucer of ice cream".
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
How about "personnel", in Gabriel Brown's "I'm Gonna Take It Easy":

Now, what your bosses are doing, you can never tell
They's always tryin' to cut the personnel
Now, I'm gonna take it easy, I'm gonna take it easy
I'm gonna take it easy, babe, that's what I'm gonna do

or "attainments" in Gabriel Brown's "Got No Money Blues":

I work too hard, baby, that's why I look so beat
I work too hard, baby, that's why I look so beat
I strain every nerve in my attainments, tryin' to make my poor ends meet

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
How about "substantial", as in Willie "61" Blackwell's "Noiseless Motor Blues"?

They say you has a noiseless motor and substantial steering gear
They say you has a noiseless motor, baby, and substantial steering gear
If you ever need a chauffeur, please let me be your engineer

All best,
Johnm

[Chezztone]

"Assigned" in Bo Carter's "Baby How Can It Be." If we're counting proper nouns, that same song includes "Grafonola."

[Johnm]

Hi all,
How about "viaduct" in Boodle-De-Bum Blues" by Bogus Ben Covington?
All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

Junior Tamplin - Under The Viaduct

[lindy]

I thought of this thread while noodling with Lil' Son Jackson's "Gambler's Blues" this morning:

You know I'm through with gamblin', some jack stropper can have my room,
You know I'm through with gamblin', some jack stropper can have my room,
Pretty women may kill me, but gamblin' won't be my doom.

Lindy