Topic: Digging My Potatoes

[MandolinPaul]

Hey, y’all. I’ve noticed how whenever one of the old blues guys had a hit, they (no doubt at the urging of their record companies) would put out more songs with the same groove and melody. e.g. Listen to Howlin' Wolf's Smokestack Lightning, and then I Asked Her For Water, and a few others.

I've been trying to learn from Big Bill Broonzy's version of Digging My Potatoes. However, my girlfriend pointed out that the lyrics are a bit misogynistic. I can't disagree, even though there's a lot of that old stuff that is, of course.

I figure there must be a song with the same melody, and I even think I remember hearing one at some point. I can't seem to find it now though.

Anyone know anything?

[jostber]

Big Bill Broonzy makes his own very unique version of this song so I am not sure what can be directly comparable. He seems to do some picking on the guiar inspired by Leadbelly. If you check out Leadbelly's version, it can be quite easy to hear his great influence on the Skiffle craze on the 50's:

[blueshome]

The “hit” version was by Washboard Sam. I don’t understand why you don’t just put your own lyrics to the tune, that’s what the old guys would do.

[MandolinPaul]

I didn't know Leadbelly had done a version. That's very cool!

My own lyrics? While I'm not above changing the odd phrase here and there, my lyricist skills are quite lacking.

I guess I'll just see if I can't find another song with similar phrasing and spacing.

Thanks, y'all!

[CF]

I didn't know Leadbelly had done a version. That's very cool!

My own lyrics? While I'm not above changing the odd phrase here and there, my lyricist skills are quite lacking.

I guess I'll just see if I can't find another song with similar phrasing and spacing.

Thanks, y'all!

Hey don't worry about it: some of the original blues musicians were so bad at writing their own lyrics that they pinched lines from other songs!!