Goin back to Savannah baby, write my initials on the wall Goin back to Savannah mama, write my initials on the wall Cause you know Georgia women don?t mean me no good at all
From a few months ago, but I saw this as I was reading today's new post. I'm pretty sure the last line is "'Cause THESE NORTH Georgia women don't mean me no good at all." Chris
Bell Street Blues April 23rd 1935 with Curley Weaver
I live down in Bell Street alley just as drunk as i can be I live down in Bell Street alley just as drunk as i can be seem like those Bell Street crow janes done got rough with me
I drink so much Bell Street whiskey they won't sell Mctell no more I drink so much Bell Street whiskey they won't sell poor boy Mctell no more I'm got the cans and glasses, boys, laying all around my door
This Bell Street whiskey make you sleep all in your clothes This ol' Bell Street whiskey make you sleep all in your clothes and when you wake up next morning feel like you done laid outdoors
you can get booze down on Bell Street for two bits and half a throw you can get booze down on Bell Street two bits and half a throw it'll make you say that your mother an father an the judge break out the jailhouse door
Ah, Play it now Play it about that Bell Street whiskey I know you wild about cause I done seen you down there you won't stay out of Bell Street alley
walked in my room, the other night man come in, he want to fight took my gun, my right hand hold me people I don't want to kill no man when i said that he rapped me cross my head the first shot I fired then the man fell dead Bell Street whiskey drove me to the county jail got me laying back here on my bunk nobody in the world'll go my bail
EDITED to include corrections from dj
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 05:47:54 PM by Johnm »
1.3: Seem like THEM BELL STREET crow janes HAS done got rough with me
2.3: I'M got the cans and glasses, boys, laying all around my door
3.1: THIS bell street whiskey make you sleep all in your clothes 3.2: THIS ol' bell street whiskey make you sleep all in your clothes
During solo: (Spoken) AH, PLAY IT NOW PLAY IT ABOUT that Bell Street whiskey I know you wild about cause I done seen you DOWN there You won't stay out of Bell Street alley
The line "Make you say your mother and father..." etc. didn't sound right to me, but listening to the other version he recorded (Bell Street Lightning, more or less the same, but recorded 2 years previously) made me realise that McTell probably misspoke in this recording. The alternate version line is "It'll make you cuss out the judge in the courthouse." which reads a lot clearer.
« Reply #174 on: September 28, 2012, 11:35:41 AM »
Start us off there frailer! If you post what you have so far all sorts of helpful folks will down tools and add suggestions and informative discussion!
« Reply #177 on: September 28, 2012, 04:02:46 PM »
My apologies, frailer, I didn't realise you didn't have access to a recording. I don't have it either. Hearing the youtube of it I hear it's a version of Honey, It Must Be Love from Pig n Whistle Red CD, which is a nice surprise - great song!
« Reply #178 on: September 28, 2012, 04:53:21 PM »
It's the Library of Congress (and first) recording of the song, from 1940. Edward VIII abdicated in 1936.
King Edward Blues
McTell: I'm singin' a song that I made myself off the notable, honorable King Edward. "Baby It Must Be Love."
Lomax: Wait, wait a minute. This is Blind Willie ? McTell, playing at Atlanta, Georgia.
Tell me honey, now tell me please Is my lover now hard to please I'm gettin' groggy in my knees Baby and it must be love.
A funny feelin' reaches up my spine, To my head like cherry wine, Make me think the world's all mine, Baby and it must be love.
I hear the church bell ringin' I see visions clear, I hear the birdies singin', I know darn well there's no birdies there.
I don't like your shirts and ties They don't seem to harmonize They don't match them big brown eyes, Baby and it must be love.
Spoken: Beat it out.
Can be a rich man, a poor man, a beggar man, king It'll make you give up everything, Every time you feel that sting, Honey it must be love.
Made a preacher lay his bible down, Made a rabbit hug a hound, Made King Edward give up his crown, Baby and it must be love.
I hear the church bell ringin' I see visions clear, I hear the birdies singin', Know darn well there's no birdies there.
I don't like your shirts and ties They don't seem to harmonize They don't match those big brown eyes, Mama and it must be love. Baby and it must be love.