I posted an MP-3 of my take on this song a few weeks back, and it occured to me that a) some might want to have the lyrics, and b) I don't really know 'em all.
So let's see if we can get them worked out. Here's a first stab.
Walking My Troubles Away (B.B. Fuller)
Paperboy hollerin' "extra" ["ex-tree"] Have you read the news Shot the brown I love I got them walking blues I keep on walkin', trying to walk my trouble away I'm so glad trouble don't last always
She used to be my sweet milk (But she ) soured on me We won't be together Like we used to be I keep on walkin', trying to walk my trouble away And I'm so glad trouble don't last always
I got the bad luck blues mama Bad luck ? ? ? * You say bad luck fall on everybody Seem like I'm the only one And I keep on walkin', trying to walk my trouble away I'm so glad trouble don't last always
I got coffee grinds in my coffee Boll weevils in my meal Tacks in my shoes Keep stickin in my heels I keep on walkin', trying to walk my trouble away I'm so glad trouble don't last always
* I've been singing "Bad luck times I've known", but I don't know...
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 12:10:50 PM by Johnm »
Hey Thumb, Here's what I get for the second and third verses from a pretty good copy on the Yazoo Truckin' My Blues Away CD, slowed down a little bit with Transcribe!:
You used to be my sweet milk You soured on me We won't be together Like we used to be I keep on walkin', tryin' to walk my trouble away I'm so glad trouble don't last always
I got the bad luck blues mama Bad luck time done come You say bad luck fall on everybody Seem like I'm the only one I keep on walkin', tryin' to walk my trouble away I'm so glad trouble don't last always (Play that thing now, boy)
Yeah, I really dig this song. Great lyrics. Hey, you gonna try and make it down to see Del and Steve at the Freight on June 23 (I think)? Let me know, maybe we could get together beforehand. How 'bout you, Miller? 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
I had planned to see Del and Steve at Schoenberg's on the 24th, but seeing as it's a triple bill (with Roy Book Binder) at the Freight on the 23rd, I do believe I'll change my mind. Plus there's better eats in Berkeley than Tiburon.
I'm working on Blind Boy Fuller's "Baby you gotta change your mind" and am having some trouble trying to decipher the lyrics on the second verse after the instrumental break. Is it "Up 'fore the judge(jury?) my eyes(?) wouldn't tell, beatin down(?) my gal I got a full pardon(?) yell(?!?!)". Thanks for the help.
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 12:11:36 PM by Johnm »
Ok, time for some help. I've got the music where I can use it. RGD is too adlib to be a working version, but more fun. Save me mumbleing through this when I add it to my set list. Check what I've got and see if you can fill in the
Mama Let Me Lay It On You ? Blind Boy Fuller
Ch Mama let me lay it on you Mama let me lay it on you I?ll do anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
I?ll buy you a diamond ring Now ?? shake that thing I?ll do anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
inst
I?ll try live true to you Nothing else I know to do I?ll do anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
inst
I?ll you a ford machine Then I?ll furnish you the gasoline I?ll do anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
inst
I?ll buy you a ford machine Then I?ll ? gasoline I?ll do anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
Ch
I got me a ding a ling I?ll ding it sure as one two 3 I?ll do anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
?? fallin? out Said over another man?s wife I?ll do anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
Ch
inst
« Last Edit: July 23, 2020, 06:09:09 PM by Johnm »
Not quite sure of this. The I and ask seem kind of elided together, and it sounds more like yo' than you, though in the rest of the song Fuller clearly pronounces "you".
2: Then I'll fill it fulla gasoline
3: I got me a stingoree I'll sting it sure as one two three
You didn't ask about this one, but I think your interpretation is clearly wrong.
4: Baby we had a fallin' out
The first word could be Babe. Fuller really crams those words in there. In practice, when singing that fast, I think "Baby we..." and "Babe we..." come out sounding identical.
I should also point out that this song was actually titled Mama Let Me Lay It On You No. 2 -? easy to pick out because in addition to Blind Boy Fuller's vocal and guitar, you also have harmonica by Charlie Austin (Sonny Terry accompanied two other tracks from this same session of 8 songs, but Charlie Austin accompanied this track, according to Blues & Gospel Records, 4th ed.
Details for No. 2 are Mx 22681-1, recorded Apr 5 1938; issued on Vo 04237 and Cq 9158
For comparison purposes, I'll post two additional replies -- one Fuller's first version of Mama Let Me Lay It On You, from April 1936, and the second with Walter Coleman's version of Mama Let Me Lay It On You, recorded two month earlier.? Personally, I think I prefer the Coleman version, because it's a little raunchier.? All three versions are on the juke.
« Last Edit: April 17, 2005, 09:32:27 PM by lebordo »
Ok, here's Fuller's 1936 version of Mama Let Me Lay It On You.? Underlined portions are best guesses, so ideas are welcome.
Mama Let Me Lay It On You - Blind Boy Fuller acc. own guitar (Mx 19145-2, recorded Apr 29 1936; issued on ARC 6-08-54, Vo 03071, Cq 8756 and Cq 8770)
(Inst intro)
Mama let me lay it on you Mama let me lay it on you I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you Let me lay it on you
I'll buy you a straggler's suit? ? ? ?{ changed from ... stragler's ... } Cut your throat to boot? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? { changed from ... short toot toot } I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you
Mama let me lay it on you Please m'am let me lay it on you I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you Let me lay it on you
I'll buy you a bag of shoes I'll cut your throat to boot? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? { changed from ... throat toot toot } I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you Let me lay it on you
(Inst)
Why I'll buy you (a) gingham dress Baby I don't want no mess I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you
Well baby let me lay it on you Please m'am let me lay it on you I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you (I ain't jokin') I want to lay it on you
(Spoken) Now baby let me lay it on you Please m'am. I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you (inst repeat prev line)
I'll buy you a fish tail coat Baby I'll go cut your throat I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you
Baby let me lay it on you Mama please let me lay it on you I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you (inst repeat prev line)
I'll buy you a Cadillac Car So you can ride [tomorr' {was to moms I'll give you anything in this whole round world Let me lay it on you
Please m'am let me lay it on you Oh baby let me lay it on you I'll give you anything in this whole round world If ya let me lay it on you (inst repeat prev line)
« Last Edit: July 23, 2020, 11:22:29 AM by Johnm »
Finally, here's the earliest version of Mama Let Me Lay It On You listed in B&GR, Walter Coleman's Feb 1936 recording.? Again, underlined portions are best guesses, so ideas are welcome.
Mama Let Me Lay It On You - Walter Coleman acc. own g and unknown 2nd g (Mx 90611-C, recorded Feb 8 1936; issued on De 7157)
(Inst intro)
A mama let me lay it on you A mama let me lay it on you I'd give anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
Then I'm goin' up stairs T' turn your lamp down low An' if your bed breaks down See me pilin' on the floor
No it's a mama let me lay it on you (mmm-humm) Mama let me lay it on you? (uhh-huhh) Give anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
I'm goin' to buy you a diamond ring A baby see you shake that thing I'd give anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
Now it's a mama let me lay it on you A mama let me lay it on you I'd give anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
I'm goin' to buy ya (a) brand new bed So ya can pin it through your thin man's head I'd give anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
Now it's a mama let me lay it on you A mama let me lay it on you I'd give anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
Boy if you ever wake up I'se sick holdin' hands Feel for your midnight rider Piling with another woman's man
Now just baby let me lay it on you (mmm-humm) Darlin' let me lay it on yo (mmm-humm) Give anything in the whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
Now it's a boot and a dollar A-mama six months ain't long Any woman can get a man now days Can't a playtin' name been out long
Now it's a mama let me lay it on you A mama let me lay it on you I'd give anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
It's mama pull off your dress And put on your nightgown I got a funny feelin' baby in my back Mama won't you tie it down
Now it's a mama let me lay it on you A mama let me lay it on you (mmm-humm) Give anything in this whole round world Mama let me lay it on you
(Instrumental to end) ... ...? (spoken) Ahh, play it till I get back to George Street ... ...? (spoken) Ahh, stomp that thing ...
I hear "So you can drive tomorr'" (elining the final syllable of "tomorrow").
I think all your other underlined words or phrases are correct. Like you, I clearly hear "Stargler" or "Stargler's". Was that a department store or something?
I never heard Walter Coleman's version of this. Love his lyrics. Thanks for pointing it out.