WeenieCampbell.com
Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: GhostRider on August 12, 2004, 01:46:09 PM
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Hi all:
https://youtu.be/YYzkGA8jD-8
The PTCBW has envigorated my interest in the above referenced song, all thanks going to Del Ray's instruction. In re-listening to the tune I get a slightly different chord structure from Del (she stated that her's was a version, not a copy). I'd like to run my ideas past you weenies and see if they float (be gentle).
My reading of the MM version: (Capo II)
A - 4 bars
D - 2 bars
A - 1/2 bar
E - 1/2 bar
A - 1 bar
E - 1 bar
D - 1bar
A - 1/2 bar
D - 1/2 bar
A - 1/4 bar
E - 3/4 bar
As I recall Del did not put in the first E part.
Also the signature lick of the song, played over the A section in the first three bars of each verse I hear as:
1string-3, 2string-5, 2string-3, followed by a double base (E-A)(Probably played by Little Son Joe).
Thanks in advance for your insight,
Alex
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Looks about right to me, Alex. I've been listening to this, trying decide what's going on with the second guitar - sounds like it might be tuned to drop-D but playing in A... still thinking, though. If you listen to the break, you can hear the second guitar go to a really low note in the bass as they change to the IV chord. Weird...
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Hi Ramblin' Frank:
Thanks for your comments. I was just working on MM's part last night, I'll go back and listen to LSJ.
I have found that playing A tunes in dropped D is neat, that growling bass over the IV chord is sure a different sound.
After studying this tune for a while I've thought about replacing the last D section with E.
The police start to shoot me,
Alex
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Hi all:
I've just finished transcribing the verse and break of Nothing in Rambling and thought I'd upload the files here and see what you all think. The two files are in Tabledit format (.tef) and need (I' think) Tabledit to open. You can download a free demonstration version of Tabledit from their website.
This song is a duet, which I have transcribed for solo guitar. Some of the base riff stuff I have put in as treble melody.
The break starts off with a figure from Del Ray's class, but the rest of it is pretty close (I think) to the original.
Please, any comments-corrections would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Alex
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Tabledit Download Page (http://www.tabledit.com/download/downlo_e.shtml)
Thanks for posting this Alex!
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Hi:
While going back and giving Dryland Blues another try I listened to the next cut (on the Memphis Jamboree Yazoo release) and it is "That'll Be Alright". Not only is it a great tune, but it's from 1929!
I have hacked out the guitar part (it's not that hard) but some of the lyrics have me stumped. I hope the Weenies can help.
https://youtu.be/Oqs_rxlcZEM
THAT'LL BE ALRIGHT
Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie
Key of C
Capo I
Intro
1) Instrumental
2) Well look here mama, see what you done done
Took all my money, put me on a bum
Chorus
But that'll be alright, oh no, but that'll be alright, oh no
Don't you hear me talkin' to ya, mama that'll be alright
3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
??? jelly to who you see
Chorus
4) Gonna buy me a dog, I don't know (?)
Keep these men from the jellyroll
Chorus
5) Instrumental
6) Instrumental
7) ???
Caught on a corner with another man
Chorus
8) Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
??? jelly al over town
Chorus
9) I had a good ???
??? she goin' ??? somebody else
Chorus
10) Gonna build me a house out on the sea (?)
So these women come to see for (poor?) me
Chorus
11) Me and my brother went around the bend
??? my gal, couldn't drive her in
Chorus
Thanks,
Alex
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Well here's something to start with...
3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
Showing\selling jelly to who you see
7) Tell you that you love me, see me when you can
Caught on a corner with another man
8) Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
Selling jelly all over town
9) I had a good gal all to myself
Now she goin' with somebody else
11) Me and my brother went around the bend
There's my gal, couldn't drive her in
Is that any help, trouble is the more you listen to it the more it changes!
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3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
?? jelly to who you see
No help here, but I don't think Richard's line works aurally... sound like "spied some" jelly...
4) Gonna buy me a dog, I don't know (?)
Keep these men from the jellyroll
agree.
7)
Caught on a corner with another man
I'm glad she said she love me, don't see why she can
Caught on a corner with another man
Chorus
Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
jelly all over town
Sounds like "tell no".. jelly all over town.. ??
9) I had a good
she goin' somebody else
I had a good change not sleepin' by myself
Now she's goin' down(?) with somebody else
10) Gonna build me a house out on the sea (?)
So these women come to see for (poor?) me
So these women come see poor me
11) Me and my brother went around the bend
my gal, couldn't drive her in
Had my gal and couldn't drive her in
My 2 cents
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I hear
3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
Slide??? some jelly to who you please
Chorus
4) Gonna buy me a dog, (high as an oak?)
Keep these men from the jellyroll
Chorus
5) Instrumental
6) Instrumental
7) My baby said she love me, don't see why she can
Caught her on a corner with another man
Chorus
8) Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
Sellin' my jelly all over town
Chorus
9)I had a good change not sleepin' by myself
Now she gone and got somebody else
Chorus
10) Gonna build me a house out on the sea (?)
So these women come to see poor me
Chorus
11) Me and my brother went around the bend
Had? my gal and couldn't drive her in
Chorus
Great Kansas Joe tune, Alex. Are you taking a page from Del Rey's book and combining the two guitar parts? (As Frankie did as well with Joliet Bound.)
Note how he works brother Charlie into the last verse... ;)
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UB:
Yeah I thought I'd try to combine the two parts, which involves putting in little bass runs between the treble melody parts. One interesting feature is that on the change to the IV chord (F) Joe does a run to the F note on the 4th string, 3rd fret, rather than down to the F on the 6th string.
But I don't expect to do anywhere near the good job that Ramblin' Frank did on JB.
It's amazing how much energy PT put into my guitar. I've learned (or partially) 4 new songs since I got back. Now that #@*&# Dryland Blues is another story!
Alex
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It's amazing how much energy PT put into my guitar. I've learned (or partially) 4 new songs since I got back.
So I take it you'll be returning to PT...
Now that #@*&# Dryland Blues is another story!
Well, now you have a reason to buy John Miller's Furry Lewis video. ;) He covers it there. It's a cool take on that standard progression.
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Hi all:
My thanks to Richard, Slack and Uncle Bud for their efforts on this one. I used some of each of your suggestions. Here's the revised version (revisions in italics).
THAT'LL BE ALRIGHT
Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie
1929
Key of C
Capo I
Intro
1) Instrumental
2) Well look here mama, see what you done done
Took all my money, put me on a bum
Chorus
But that'll be alright, oh no, but that'll be alright, oh no
Don't you hear me talkin' to ya, mama that'll be alright
3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
Slide some jelly to who you see
Chorus
4) Gonna buy me a dog, I d' know
Keep these men from a jellyroll
Chorus
5) Instrumental
6) Instrumental
7) I'm glad she said she loved me, don't see why she can
Caught her on a corner with another man
Chorus
(8)?Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
Sellin' her jelly all over town
Chorus
9) I had a good change not sleepin' by myself
Now she gone?and got somebody else
Chorus
10) Gonna build me a house out on the sea (?)
So these women come to see poor me
Chorus
11) Me and my brother went around the bend
Had my gal, couldn't drive her in
Chorus
Any additional comments? I'm still not sure about the beginning of the 2nd line of Verse 8
Thanks,
Alex
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Please, any comments-corrections would be much appreciated.
Thanks Alex for posting that tab, you've inspired me to take a third look at this tune which has always been high on my list of favorite recordings. My comment would be your tab seems to capture the funky feel of the original. I was having trouble getting some of those double/triple stop slurs and voicing that into my version. Here are the lyrics, that has to be one of the best opening lines in blues:
[edit: for a much tighter transcription see the entry in weeniepedia http://www.weeniecampbell.com/wiki/index.php?title=Nothing_In_Rambling]
I was born in Louisiana, I was raised in Algiers
And everywhere I been, the peoples all say
Ain't nothing in rambling either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down
I first left home, I stopped in Tennessee
The peoples all begging, "Come and stay with me"
'Cause ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down
I was walking through the alley with my hand in my coat
The police start to shoot me, thought it was something I stole
You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down
The peoples on the highway is walking and crying
Some is starving, some is dying
You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down
You may go to Hollywood and try to get on the screen
But I'm gonna stay right here and eat these old charity beans
'Cause it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down
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Hi Rivers:
My pleasure. The lesson from Del Ray at PT really helped. Glad the TAB was of some use. And thanks for the lyrics!
Just a note, the intro in pretty close to the last 4 1/2 bars of the break.
Later,
Alex
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Hi All:
Just for completeness sake I've attached my go at the TAB for a verse and the break of "That'll be Alright". The two files are in Tabledit format (.tef) and require Tabledit to open. You can download a demo version at :
http://www.tabledit.com/download/downlo_e.shtml
This is a version of the original, I've tried to combine the two guitar parts into one.
Again any comments or corrections would be gratefully recieved.
Alex
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Am working out the guitar for "Waiting On You" by Memphis Minnie.
Am playing it in key of C.
This is what I've got so far for chords.
Sorry the recording I'm working from is missing the very beginning.
https://youtu.be/cokOSefnemU
Verse
?
C / / / C / / / C / / / C / / /
C7 / / / A7 / / / D7 / / / G7 / / /
Chorus
C / / / C / / / A7 / / / A7 / / /
D7 / / / G7 / / / C / F / C / / /
Bridge
E / / / E / / / A7 / / / A7 / / /
D7 / / / D7 / / / G7 / / / G7 / / /
Any help appreciated.
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Here are lyrics I worked out for "Waiting On You" by Memphis Minnie. Please can anyone help fill the gaps?
.. . . only twelve years old
I wanna take him home with me
Everybody tell me that I was too old
But I waitin on it don't you see
I'm waitin
Oh don't you see
I'm waitin on you
Tell me you're waitin on me
I'm waitin
Oh don't you see
I'm waitin on you
Tell me you're waitin on me
Oh . . . people go
Just wanna get you rolled
Have you tighten up all of my clothes
At the station you don't wanna go
Cos you bin here
And I'm waitin don't you see
I'm waitin on you
Tell me you're waitin on me
(Oh beat it up boy, play it, play it now)
(That's what I'm talkin about)
(Yes baby, whoopee)
(Play it, play it boy)
I'm waitin
Oh don't you see
I'm waitin on you
Tell me you're waitin on me
I'm waitin
Oh don't you see
I'm waitin on you
Tell me you're waitin on me
Cos I made me treat you right
Don't sever me at night
And if you mess around here in my sight
The only boy's name is one alright
Cos you can tell
That I'm waitin can't you see
I'm waitin on you
Tell me you're waitin on me
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I think your take on the harmonic structure of "I'm Waiting on You" is generally on. It shifts a bit during the piece, and the guitarists seems not to have agreed on it at the outset.? In view of the way the recording seems not to start at the beginning of the piece, one might wonder if the recording engineer didn't start recording a jam in the studio that then turned into a conscious effort on the part of the musicians.
This is a fascinating song.? The treatment of this taboo topic must be unique in recorded blues.? Minnie has composer credit on it.? I am a little surprised that Paul Garon didn't touch on it in his Woman With Guitar: Memphis Minnie Blues.? If you follow the narrative, however, it seems more like a cautionary tale than a story of a forbidden obsession.?
I met a boy's only twelve years old
I want to take him home with me.
Everybody's telling me that I was too old
But I'm waiting on him, don't you see?
I'm waiting.
Aw, don't you see?
I'm waiting on you,
Tell me you waiting on me.
I'm waiting.
Aw, don't you see?
I'm waiting on you,
Tell me you waiting on me.
Cause I don't want to be so bold.
I just want to get you told.
After you packed up all of my clothes,
At the station you don't want to go.
Cause I'm [scat: ?boo, boo, boo?]
And I waited, don't you see?
I'm waiting on you,
Tell me you waiting on me.
Spoken:
[Aw beat it out boys, play it, play it now.
That's what I'm talking about.
Yeah, man, whoopee.
Play it, play it, boys.]
I'm waiting, aw, don't you see?
I'm waiting on you,
Tell me you waiting on me.
I'm waiting, aw, don't you see?
I'm waiting on you,
Tell me you waiting on me.
Oh God made me treat you right.
Don't sleep with me at night.
And if you mess around here in my sight,
Be on you, boy, screaming blood all right
Cause [scat: ?boo, boo, boo?]
And I'm waiting, don't you see?
I'm waiting on you,
Tell me you waiting on me.
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Memphis Minnie (recording as Texas Tessie) recorded I'm Waiting On You on July 27, 1935. The notes to the 1997 BMG CD reissue list the second guitarist as "probably Big Bill Broonzy".
Amos Easton (as Bumble Bee Slim) recorded a song titled I'm Waitin' On You three years earlier, on March 16, 1932. Does anyone know if these two titles are the same song?
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You're lyrics are great MTJ3, thanks, they will be performed soon, possibly Tuesday at an open session.
I hear "Cause I don't mean to be so bold" instead of "Cause I don't want to be so bold".
Not sure about "boo boo boo", does that occur in any other songs?
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If you go to www.amazon.com and search for B000000J9D you can hear a clip of Bumble Bee Slim "I'm Waiting On You", it sounds like a totally different song from the Memphis Minnie song.
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Truth be told, I don't know about the "boo boo boo." It sounds like scat, nonsense syllables ("true" or "blue" would be a stretch; "old" sounds more to that point, but that's projection on my part ), so those are almost place holders from my viewpoint. Minnie was reaching out of idiom here (see Garon p.65) in more ways than one. I can't think of any other examples of those sylliables in blues; they almost sound more like what you would hear from a crooner, of which there are probably legion examples.
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Howdy:
Ice Man was recorded on Feb. 18, 1936 by Memphis Minnie on guitar (Standard tuning, G position) and an unknown string bass.
The tune was recorded just after Minnie had parted with Kansas Joe and before she had hooked up with Little Son Joe, which may explain it's rather "up front" lyrics.
I don't think there is much to debate in the lyrics, the recording is pretty clear, but the first line of the second verse (cold man?) may be wrong as I have it.
I've posted an .mp3 of this tune in the Licks and Lessons part of the Forum.
https://youtu.be/C9uB2Duu8Rc
Ice Man (Come On Up)
Memphis Minnie
1936
Guitar and bass
Standard tuning, G position
Introduction (3 1/2 bars)
1) I got ice man in the spring, coal man in the fall.
All I need now to get my ashes hauled.
Chorus
Then I'm gonna strut my stuff
Yes, I'm gonna strut my stuff.
I'm gonna strut my stuff, everywhere I go.
2) Well my coal man here, I gets up plenty of steam.
My ice man nice, only what I need.
Chorus
3) Ice man ice man, come on up.
You know my box is hard to fill up.
Chorus
(spoken) Oh, let's strut our stuff!
4) Instrumental verse
5) Ice man, ice man come but don't get rough.
If you start anything I'm gonna strut my stuff.
Chorus
6) Ice man, ice man, stop knockin' on my door.
I ain't got no money and don't come back no more.
Chorus
7) Looka here, ice man, look like you're so hard to please.
But if you come upstairs, I'll give you all you need.
Chorus
(spoken) Come on, ice man, get it.
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I think it's "coal man" in both the first and second verses.
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Definitely "coal man".
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Yes, 'coalman', and possibly starts 'I got A iceman'. For 2.2 it could be:
My ice man NOW IS ALL IN THE WORLD I need.
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Thanks, guys. I'll correct the original post.
Alex
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Howdy:
I've recently become interested in this one. It has a great, funky run behind the vocal in the first four bars (which I had considerable help in figuring out) and a great instrumental break.
I also really like the complimentary guitar work by Little Son Joe.
Minnie seems most concerned about the loss of her clothes!
Could the song be a dig at the then prevailing social order ("There ain't no fire wagon in town.")?
I think I've got most of it right, the bits I'm concerned about I've put in brackets.
Thanks in advance. MP3 attached.
https://youtu.be/NEi1sQJ-Mp4
Call the Fire Wagon
Memphis Minnie and Little Son Joe
1939
Spanish tuning at C (Capo V)-Memphis Minnie
Introductory instrumental verse
1) I's talkin' to the people that lives in town.
Ever had your shack and your clothes burn down.
Chorus
So call the fire wagon, call the fire wagon.
Call the fire wagon, ain't no fire wagon in town.
2) Save my baby and my wardrobe trunk.
I lost everything else I had in front.
Chorus
3) Standin' on the streets in my sleepin' gown.
Watchin' that shack and my clothes burn down.
Chorus
4) Fast asleep, layin' in my bed.
Lord this smoke is about to kill me dead.
Chorus
(spoken: play it 'till the fire wagon comes)
5) Instrumental break
6) (This) big city's alright, but I'm so far from town.
My shack's catchin' fire, you know its got to burn down.
Chorus
7) Well the jinx overtakes us, now the candle's down.
Me and my baby's got to leave this town.
Chorus
Alex
Note: edited to reflect dj's correction below, and River's way down.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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That first line of verse 4 is "Fast asleep, layin' in my bed".
I think you've got everything else right.
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HI all:
I spent last night trying to figure out the intro to this tune. I got the last 8 bars, but I couldn't for the life of me, get the first 4.
Could anyone help me and see if they can suss out the first 4 bars of the intro?
Thanks,
Alex
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I'm hearing something like this:
-----------5---------5-----|-----5----------5-------------
---------------------------|-------------------------------
----3---4-----3---4--------|--4------3---4----------------
---------------------------|-------------------------------
--0-----0-----0------0-----|--0------0------0-------0-----
---------------------------|-------------------------------
played twice. The 1st melody note of the 2nd bar is a bit unclear on the 1st time. Tell me what you think?
Cheers
Pan
P.S. what a cool lick! :)
Edit: typos.
Re-edited as Ghostrider suggests.
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Pan:
Hmm. This is what I came up with last night (with an alternating base, not a monotonic one), with the slight variation that I got the B note, not on the open 2nd string as you did, but by hammering the 4th fret of the third string. It didn't sound right, maybe the timing really screwed me up.
I'm going to try it tonight your way and let you know (I'm at work right now).
Thanks a lot,
Alex
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Pan:
I tried your sequence and I'm sure you've got it right. The hammer of the B note is the way she plays it I think. The way she sets up the timing with the start of the 2nd/4th bar is what had me buffaloed.
Thanks again,
Alex
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Hi Alex.
You must be right about the hammer on. I'll edit the tab accordingly.
Maybe she also hits more than just one bass string with her thumb occasionally.
Pan
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Hi anyone have the lyrics to "Drunken Barrelhouse Blues" by Memphis Minnie?
https://youtu.be/J4CE_H5DHKw
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What you got so far? 8)
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Here's what I have.
Drunken Barrel House Blues
If you listen to me good people, I'll tell you what it's all about
If you listen to me good people, I'll tell you what it's all about
Well that good stuff is here and it?s just pouring out
Catch me drunk in the morning, don't say one/what? mumbling word
Catch me drunk in the morning, don't say one/what? mumbling word
I can?t tell you all about it and I ain't gonna tell you nothin' that hurts
Yeah I believe I'll get drunk, tear this old barrelhouse down
Yeah I believe I'll get drunk, tear this old barrelhouse down
'Cause I ain't got no money, but I can hobo on out of town
Give me one more drink, drink of that bottle in bond
Give me one more drink, drink of that bottle in bond
And I will tell everything just as soon as I get back home
Give me a stein of beer if not a drink of gin
Give me a stein of beer if not a drink of gin
I feel myself gettin' sober, I wanna get back drunk again
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Thanks Andrew. Sounds about right!
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Hi all,
I noticed that there were five different Memphis Minnie lyric threads, so she seemed a good candidate for a merged thread. The five songs currently in the thread are "Nothing In Rambling", "That'll Be All Right", "Ice Man (Come On Up)", "Call the Fire Wagon" and "Drunken Barrelhouse". Titles of the original threads have been maintained on the posts for ease in following the lyric discussions on the different songs.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Memphis Minnie recorded "Reachin' Pete" as a solo, accompanying herself out of G position in standard tuning. It is an exceptionally strong performance instrumentally, even by her standards, and features a driving monotonic bass. The song employs an unusual "doubled up" form--it would be 24 bars long, except that Minnie liked to "go long" in her I chord at the end of the first and third phrases, so it ends up being 26 bars long on most of the passes through the form. Another musician who liked the doubled up form of three 8-bar phrases rather than three four-bar phrases was Bo Carter, who utilized such a form for "Cigarette Blues" "Arrangement For Me Blues", and "Dinner Blues", among others.
"Reachin' Pete" works a lot of the same riff territory as Minnie's "Drunken Barrelhouse", which she played out of the same position. I like hearing her in a solo context, where any doubt as to what she was playing and what her duet partners were playing is removed. I'd appreciate help with the bent bracketed phrase in the opening line of the last verse.
https://youtu.be/JqAQFT8zHPY
When you go to Helena, stop on Cherry Street
When you go to Helena, stop on Cherry Street
And just ast anybody to show you Reachin' Pete
It's the tallest man, walks on Cherry Street
It's the tallest man, walks on Cherry Street
And the baddest copper, ever walked that beat
SPOKEN, DURING SOLO: Yeah, let's go to town now. . . That's what I'm talkin' about
He met me one Sunday mornin', just about the break o' day
He met me one Sunday mornin', just about the break o' day
I was drinkin' my moonshine, he made me throw my knife away
Well, he taken my partner down to the jail
Yes, he taken my partner down to the jail
After he locked her up, he turned and went her bail
Reachin' Pete's all right, but his buddy old Buzzell
Reachin' Pete's all right, but his buddy old Buzzell
Every time he meet you, he ready for plenty hell
SPOKEN, DURING OUTRO: Look out, now, here come Reachin' Pete and Ezell, don't let 'em catch you. Reachin' Pete is bad, I'll tell you. Ah, shake it! That's what I'm talkin' about. Boy, is you tired? Sugar, I'll go a long time!
Edited to pick up correction from Bunker Hill, 4/16
All best,
Johnm
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John:
The JSP set has a "Reachin' Pete - Take A" and a "Reachin' Pete - Take B." It sounds like your transcription is of Take B, which appears to be the released version. Take A is a little different and is worth a listen.
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Hi all,
Memphis Minnie recorded "Reachin' Pete" as a solo, accompanying herself out of G position in standard tuning.
I can see in my mind's eye a book chapter entitled "Reachin' Pete And Johnny Nab". Where published I can't say but it was about 10 years ago and did feature a discussion of this song. I'll see if I can root it out it might give a clue to the bracketed lyric.
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I can see in my mind's eye a book chapter entitled "Reachin' Pete And Johnny Nab". Where published I can't say but it was about 10 years ago and did feature a discussion of this song. I'll see if I can root it out it might give a clue to the bracketed lyric.
Maybe in this one?
The Lyrics In African American Popular Music: Proceedings Of Metz, September, 29th-30th 2000, edited by Robert Springer.
Worldcat: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/47023370&referer=brief_results
Looks like the UW has it, so the next time that I get down there, I'll eyeball it in the flesh.
Edited to add following info:
Springer, R., ed.: The Lyrics In African American Popular Music / Le texte
dans la musique populaire afro-americaine. Proceedings of Metz, September
29th-30th 2000-2001 ? xvi + 214 pp., fig., tabl. 49,50 [GBP]
INDICE: R. Springer: Text, context and subtext in the blues ? D. Evans: Traditional blues lyrics and myth: some correspondences ? P. Oliver: ?You have another thought coming to you?: Vaudeville duets and the blues ? C. Smith: Reachin? Pete and Johnny Nab: The police in commercial blues recordings to 1943 ? G. Van Rijn: The dollar has the blues: Deflation and inflation in african-american blues songs ?L. Monge: Blindness blues: Visual references in the lyrics of blind pre-war blues and gospel musicians? R. Sacr?: O mother, where art thou? ?Mother? in the lyrics of african-american religious and secular music ? E. Lamb: From coon to gangsta: The african american identity crisis represented in popular music? A. J. M. Pr?vos: La langue des rappeurs: paroles et argot noir am?ricain ? E. Gonzalez: Intertextualit?, paratextualit? et sampling: morceaux choisis de Public enemy ? N. Karanfilovic: L?ambig?it? du discours ?gangsta?.
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I can see in my mind's eye a book chapter entitled "Reachin' Pete And Johnny Nab". Where published I can't say but it was about 10 years ago and did feature a discussion of this song. I'll see if I can root it out it might give a clue to the bracketed lyric.
Maybe in this one?
The Lyrics In African American Popular Music: Proceedings Of Metz, September, 29th-30th 2000, edited by Robert Springer.
Worldcat: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/47023370&referer=brief_results
Looks like the UW has it, so the next time that I get down there, I'll eyeball it in the flesh.
Thanks Stuart, that little book I own so will go have a looksee and report back in a while.
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The name is pretty much what John has - Old Buzzell.
Old Buzzell, a reference to Reachin Pete, as well as t Cherry Street can be found in part two of Jim "Mooche" Richardson's 1928 'Lowdown Barrelhouse Blues Pt.2'
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Thanks very much, Bunker Hill, for that clarification, and Stuart, for ferreting out the source of the information. That's what I call teamwork!
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks very much, Bunker Hill, for that clarification, and Stuart, for ferreting out the source of the information. That's what I call teamwork!
All best,
Johnm
As someone once quipped - it's all out there somewhere. ;D
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Any and all help appreciated:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH8_WH5aRqo
This is what I have so far (I think....)
KISSIN? IN THE DARK - MEMPHIS MINNIE
Call the doctor, call him quick
I done got something? bout to make me sick
I?ve been kissin in the dark, yes kissin? in the dark,
Kissin' in the dark, honey that?s my ?????????
Well I had a girlfriend from Alabam
Done put her ?????? all in a jam
Chorus
I had a date with rat, he met a hip cat
nobody knows where she ?????? at
????????? walkin? on a dime
You thinkin? ?bout a mess, put it out your mind
Chorus + Instrumental verse
Well you better wake up - try to get wise
Get yourself hip to that crazy jive
Chorus
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I'll jump on the easy one first:
I [She?] had a date with rat, he [she?] met a hip cat
nobody knows where she end up at
And in another one I hear:
Well I had a girlfriend from Alabam
Done put her jellies all in a jam
And I'll stick my neck out on one other, but not with a lot of confidence:
I?ve been kissin in the dark, yes kissin? in the dark,
Kissin' in the dark, honey that?s my birth mark.
Note that in the chorus following the Alabam line, it sounds like Minnie sings "that's her birth mark."
Lindy
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Okay, I've had a go. I remember this from Flyright Fly 585, Memphis Minnie & Others: World Of Trouble, which I no longer have ; I don't suppose anyone knows where I can find Minnie's final 1953 session on CD?
KISSIN? IN THE DARK - MEMPHIS MINNIE
Call the doctor, call him quick
I done got something? bout to make me sick
I?ve been kissin in the dark, yes kissin? in the dark,
Kissin' in the dark, honey that?s my birth-mark
Well I had a girlfriend from Alabam
Done put her fellows? all in a jam
Chorus
I had a date with rat, he met a hip cat
nobody knows where she end up at
Be a good pal walkin? on a dime
You thinkin? ?bout a mess, put it out your mind
Chorus + Instrumental verse
Well you better wake up - try to get wise
Get yourself hip to that crazy jive
Chorus
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Alexei,
Memphis Minnie's final recording sessions (including her Regal, Checker, and J.O.B. sides) can be found on "Memphis Minnie, Vol. 3., 1949-1953" on Wolf (WBCD-010). It's the only place they all can be found on one CD. (The Checker alternate takes include some wonderful, raucous, and laugh-filled give-and-take between Minnie and Leonard Chess.) Her J.O.B. recordings, I believe, are also found on the "Rough Treatment" compilation of miscellaneous J.O.B. recordings.
Her last, electric sides are all very fine. And I read somewhere that her Regal recordings may indeed have been recorded under the auspices of the Parkway label (of Baby Face Leroy Trio fame). This would be of no small interest to post-war Chicago blues fans.
After she moved back to Memphis in the mid-50's, she supposedly recorded one final single for some small Memphis outfit. I have never seen nor heard it, though. Would certainly like to!
-Jeff
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The Regal and J.O.B material is also on JSP's Queen Of The Delta Blues, Volume 2 collection. No Chess material there, unfortunately.
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Thanks guys! I'll keep an eye out for those cds.
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After she moved back to Memphis in the mid-50's, she supposedly recorded one final single for some small Memphis outfit. I have never seen nor heard it, though. Would certainly like to!
Jeff, you are probably thinking of the audiodisc test pressing (A Few Drops Of Love In Your Heart/Unlucky Town) that was shown and played to Georges Adins in 1962 when he spent time with her. It had been recorded by Minnie and Joe the previous year, only months before his death. Johnny Parth seemed very sure that he could get hold of it to include on that CD but nothing transpired.
Georges wrote at length about this event in Rhythm & Blues Panorama 24 (March 1963).
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That is the very one, Bunker Hill. Thanks. I didn't know it existed only as an Audio-Disc acetate. Would love for it to turn up some day.
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Thanks all for the help - and so quick too! Can't tell you how many times I've listened to this in regular and slow motion! Great tune though, and one to work on.
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I'm not satisfied with our transcription of That Will Be Alright way back at the start of this thread (sorry Alex) and thought I would revisit it and seek help on some bits that are still unclear to me. Here's what I have (starting with the title as listed in B&GR). The last verse is the most tricky one for me. I think Kansas Joe sings the chorus the same way every time so I'm not bothering to transcribe chorus variations as I normally would.
That Will Be Alright
Well look here mama, see what you done done
Took all my money, put me on a bum
Chorus
But that'll be alright, oh no, but that'll be alright, oh no
Don't you hear me talkin' to you, mama that'll be alright
Now you wore your dresses above your knee
Serve some jelly to who you please
Chorus
Gonna buy me a dog, wise and old
Keep these men from a jellyroll
Chorus
All right now
[Old lady] gonna play it again
My baby said she love me, don't see why she can
Caught her on the corner with another man
Chorus
Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
Sellin' her jelly all over town
Chorus
I had a good chance o' not sleepin' by myself
Now she's gone and got somebody else
Chorus
I'm gonna build me a house out on the sea
So these women come to see poor me
Chorus
Me and my brother went around [the bend]
[Had my gal] and couldn't drive her in
Chorus
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Hi all
I had great help last week with my request for lyrics for 'Kissin' in the Dark'. Maybe that thread could be relocated here in order to keep all the Minnie lyrics in one handy place? Sorry I didn't notice this thread when asking for help last week!
Prof S
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Hi Prof,
As per your request, the "Kissing in the Dark" thread has come over here. I left the title headers from that thread as they were so the working out of those lyrics would remain clear.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John. It was no sooner said than done!
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UB from a relatively quick listen I think that last verse is
Me and my brother went around [and then]
[Heard my gal] and couldn't [drive her in]
Me and my brother went around the bend
Had my gal and couldn't drive her in.
I think sea is right in the verse before that, too.
Chris
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Thanks Chris. Re. "around the bend". That what I had initially and I think what we had back at the start of this thread, but I swore I was hearing a -th sound. I'll go with "bend" unless I convince myself otherwise. :P
So what do you think he means?
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About time Minnie made it to weeniepedia so I started a Minnie lyrics category, starting with Nothing In Rambling.
I corrected a couple of details in my first attempt on page 1 of this thread and tried to get the emphasis right since the diction and the way she spits out the vocal lines is one of the things that makes it such a great performance: http://www.weeniecampbell.com/wiki/index.php?title=Nothing_In_Rambling
[edit: re. the other songs, please feel free to post final/closer versions after the first draft, makes it much easier to transfer them to weeniepedia]
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Little Son Joe and Memphis Minnie recorded Bone Yard Blues in February 1939. I only have an mp3 of this song, and B&GR has Joe as the vocalist, but boy, he sure sounds like Minnie singing in a slightly lower register than usual. Anyone confirm it's Joe? The song has a nice hard groove.
There is some gibberish in the lyrics below I could really use some help on.
https://youtu.be/zBvYaEKNJHM
Bone Yard Blues - Memphis Minnie & Little Son Joe
[Women/Screamin'] on the line, makin' it swing
Preachin' to the public, you don't know a thing
Gettin' ready for the bone yard
I mean the bone yard
Said the life he's livin', swear it'll end too hard
Went out datin' with a big-time gal
[Knewed he was takin'/talkin' about savin' his pals]
That started at the bone yard
I mean the bone yard
Said the life he's livin', swear it'll end too hard
Don't play cards, don't shoot no dice
[Havin' spoke/sports] with the other man's wife
That'll take him to the bone yard
I mean the bone yard
Said the life he's livin', swear it'll end too hard
Dodgin' the police while the pistols poppin'
Huntin' for the gang where the points is hoppin'
That'll take him to the bone yard
I mean the bone yard
Said the life he's livin', swear it'll end too hard
Up before day, [care] how you feel
[Meetin'] the man and missin' meals
That'll take him to the bone yard
I mean the bone yard
Said the life he's livin', swear it'll end too hard
Weather's freezin', ain't got a dime
Moonshine whisky then muscatel wine
Takin' the boys to the bone yard
I mean the bone yard
Said the life he's livin', swear it'll end too hard
updated with corrections from Rivers
[attachment deleted by admin]
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There is some gibberish in the lyrics below I could really use some help on.
Great job, great number. All I have to contribute is:
[Women] on the line, makin' it swing
Possibly "Screamin' on the line...."
Preachin' to the public, he don't know a thing
I think it might be Preachin' to the public, "you don't know a thing"
Went out datin' with a big-time gal
[Knewed he was takin' her by savin' his pals]
Possibly "Knewed he's talkin' about savin' his pals
...with "talkin'" pronounced "takin'". I dunno what it means either.
Don't play cards, don't shoot no dice
[Havin' spoke/sports] with the other man's wife
"Havin' sports..." I think is correct.
Up before day, [care] how you feel
[Meetin'] the man and missin' meals
I think that's all correct, or at least I couldn't come up with alternatives.
Implied "don't" before "care", so probably I'd write it "Up before day, 'care how you feel", or something.
Weather's freezin', ain't got a dime
Moonshine whisky then muscatel wine
I think it might be "Moonshine whiskey, Miss Muscatel Wine, "Miss..." as in the form of address for a single gal. I definitely hear some sibilance in there, and does make it a cool lyric.
I have no idea if it's Minnie or Son Joe singing. Minnie has so many voices. It does sound like the singer on Black Rat Swing, also credited to Son Joe in B&GR. But I always think Minnie's singing on that one too. Maybe Minnie's beaus just ended up sounding like her. Kansas Joe on Joliet Bound for example always sounds like her to me, pitching her voice down.
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It's high time we did this one and I was messing around with it today. Corrections welcome, the recording's pretty good. KJ singing, sounding like MM. Swirling musical imagery, rain hissing down, Mississippi River rising ominously, this is the wettest song ever written:
[edit: amended per UB's suggestions 6.2 & 7.3]
https://youtu.be/W5VmVvsjyKw
When The Levee Breaks, Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie, June 18 1929 NYC
If it keeps on rainin', levee's going to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's going to break
And the water gonna come, and (I'll) have no place to stay
Well all last night I sat on the levee and moaned -- 'levee' pronounced 'lever'
Well all last night I sat on the levee and moaned -- same
Thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home
If it keeps on rainin', levee's going to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's going to break
And all these people will have no place to stay
Now look here mama, what am I to do?
Now look here mama, what am I to do?
I ain't got nobody, tell my trouble to
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I ain't got nobody to keep the water away
[break, 2 rounds]
Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
Now cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
When the levee breaks, mama you got to move
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
Said I work so hard to keep the water away
I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me
I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me
I'm going back, to my used-to-be
Oh mean old levee, caused me to weep and moan
It's a mean old levee, caused me to weep and moan
Gonna leave my baby, and my happy home
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There is some gibberish in the lyrics below I could really use some help on.
Great job, great number. All I have to contribute is:
[Women] on the line, makin' it swing
Possibly "Screamin' on the line...."
Preachin' to the public, he don't know a thing
I think it might be Preachin' to the public, "you don't know a thing"
Not sure of Screamin', though it was something I heard as well. Agree with "you don't know a thing."
Went out datin' with a big-time gal
[Knewed he was takin' her by savin' his pals]
Possibly "Knewed he's talkin' about savin' his pals
...with "talkin'" pronounced "takin'". I dunno what it means either.
Don't play cards, don't shoot no dice
[Havin' spoke/sports] with the other man's wife
"Havin' sports..." I think is correct.
I'll keep the above in square brackets for now and see if others chime in with revelations.
Weather's freezin', ain't got a dime
Moonshine whisky then muscatel wine
I think it might be "Moonshine whiskey, Miss Muscatel Wine, "Miss..." as in the form of address for a single gal. I definitely hear some sibilance in there, and does make it a cool lyric.
I'm not sure I hear sibilance. I somewhat unconfidently still hear "then muscatel wine" sung "den muscatel wine". Perhaps "den it's muscatel wine" with everything but the S in "it's" swallowed?
I have no idea if it's Minnie or Son Joe singing. Minnie has so many voices. It does sound like the singer on Black Rat Swing, also credited to Son Joe in B&GR. But I always think Minnie's singing on that one too. Maybe Minnie's beaus just ended up sounding like her. Kansas Joe on Joliet Bound for example always sounds like her to me, pitching her voice down.
Listening to a number of the Son Joe cuts, like Just Had to Holler, Black Rat Swing, Key to the World, or Black Buffalo, the point of view is male, consistently singing about his woman, or being cheated on by another man etc. While there are examples of women singing from a man's perspective and men singing from a women's in country blues, I doubt there are entire sessions worth of these examples. So I suspect it's Joe on all of them and he just sounds remarkably like Minnie in vocal quality, accent, tone and phrasing.
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I hear a few small things differently.
When The Levee Breaks, Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie, June 18 1929 NYC
<snip>
Now look here mama, what am I to do?
Now look here mama, what am I to do?
I ain't got nobody, tell my trouble to
4.2 Now look here mama, NOW what am I to do?
4.3 I ain't got nobody, CARRY my trouble to (not certain of this, but I think carry is sung as carr')
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I ain't got nobody to keep the water away
[break, 2 rounds]
Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
When the levee breaks, mama you got to move
6.2 NOW cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I works so hard to keep the water away
6.3 SAID I WORK so hard to keep the water away
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Thanks Andrew I'll go through, comment & correct later. Notice how he sings "Well all last night I sat on the lever...", just idiomatic usage, a joke, or pronunciation I guess. I didn't transcribe it that way but might throw it in when singing it.
And yes, I agree, the two Joes just happened to sound a lot like Minnie and the attributions are correct.
Final comment, if you've never attempted to play "When The Levee Breaks" close to the original take it for a spin, you won't be sorry. Way to elevate a 12 bar into a seriously distinctive song.
And what's with that break? Sounds like Minnie misses the first change to the IV, Son Kansas Joe half changes, realizes what's happening, goes back to the I quickly. You can almost see him shrug his shoulders, and they proceed to make it into something truly unusual. Then a second break verse with them both making the changes. Killer.
I feel a thread topic coming on, "Brilliant mistakes in Country Blues".
[edit, I quoted the wrong 'lever' line, and got the wrong husband first time]
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Now look here mama, what am I to do?
4.2 Now look here mama, NOW what am I to do?
4.3 I ain't got nobody, CARRY my trouble to (not certain of this, but I think carry is sung as carr')
Whew, that's pretty subtle and you could be right in both cases. I'm not convinced though so await further comments.
6.2 NOW cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
Agreed.
67.3 SAID I WORK so hard to keep the water away
You are correct. Updated.
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Pig Meat On The Line
Memphis Minnie & Little Son Joe, unk. string bass
May 21 1941, Chicago
https://youtu.be/aCfLXKZlFYs
[intro instrumental verse]
Is anybody seen my pig meat on the line?
Oh ho, ho, pig meat on the line
Say he worry me so I just can't keep from cryin'
Gettin' late in the evening and the sun is sinking down
Oh ho, ho, the sun is sinking down
Lonesome without my pig meat, wonder where he could be found
He left me peepin' all through my window blinds
Oh ho, ho, through my window blinds
Don't nothin' suit me like that pig meat daddy of mine
[instrumental verse]
Now peoples if you see him, please tell him this one thing
Oh ho, ho, please tell him this one thing
If he don't come tomorrow, please give poor me a ring
[instrumental verse, and out]
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7)Well the (jinx) overtakes us, now (the cannon) sound.
Me and my baby's got to leave this town.
Just revisiting the last verse in Call the Fire Wagon (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=528.msg31270#msg31270), I think it might be:
Well the jinx overtakes us now the candle's down
Me and my baby's got to leave this town
... which explains how the fire got started.
[later, added link to original post]
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Yeah, that sounds like it's correct to me, and as you say makes some sense.
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HI guys
I'm started to play I'm Going Back Home Memphis Minnie
can you help me I need of lyric pleas. Thanks
https://youtu.be/dkZKrVomiC4
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In "That'll Be Alright" I hear things slightly differently -
I don't hear "sea" at all for the house building line. "Street" as suggested by Myk sounds more possible but still off to me...
I think the "old lady" line is actually "only if you"....
"Bend" to me sounds more like "again".
???
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7)Well the (jinx) overtakes us, now (the cannon) sound.
Me and my baby's got to leave this town.
Just revisiting the last verse in Call the Fire Wagon (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=528.msg31270#msg31270), I think it might be:
Well the jinx overtakes us now the candle's down
Me and my baby's got to leave this town
... which explains how the fire got started.
[later, added link to original post]
This sounds right. Thanks, I'll correct the original.
Alex
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Well this has been very interesting.
Looking back through the posts I have come up with 'my definitive version (for the moment) of:
That'll Be Alright
Well look here mama see what you done done
Took all my money put me on the bum
Chorus
But that'll be alright, oh no, but that'll be alright, oh no
Don't you hear me talkin' to you, mama that'll be alright
Now you were your dresses above your knee
Serve some jelly to who you please
But that?ll be alright....
Gonna buy me a dog wise and old
Keep those men from jelly roll
But that?ll be alright....
Break
Now my baby said she loved me, don?t see why she can
Caught her on the corner with another man
But that?ll be alright...
Well you talk about jelly you ought to see mine
Selling her jelly all over town
But that?ll be alright..
I had a good chance o' not sleepin' by myself
Now she's gone and got somebody else
But that?ll be alright..
Gonna build me a house out on the street
So these women come sleep for me
But that?ll be alright..
Me and my brother went round the bend
Had my girl and couldn?t drive her in
But that?ll be...
How many versions of the song have been recorded? could account for the different interpretations?
The version I have is June 18th 1928 recorded in New York
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Trying to decipher this, a few lines elude me. Perhaps the collective Weenie ear can help?
Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eskNUdqc4bA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eskNUdqc4bA)
True Love Blues ? Memphis Minnie
Love between 2 people, who wanted to be true
It can be love with you and I, just ask any other two
Yes you first got to get together, then (things that) you understand
Yes you got to first get together, then (things that) you understand
Don?t you fool around with another woman, I been enstrange ?? by another man
Love made of steel???
And hard, hard to find a girl (it good?)
You can find someone that likes you, whooo, but not loves you like he should
When a man says that he?s married, let?s stop it before we begin
When a man says he?s married, let?s stop it before we begin
Don?t break up a happy home, ooo, you never do good again
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Hi Suzy,
I think I'm hearing the following:
1.1, 1.2 Love between two people, who WANTS IT to be true
1.3 It can be love FOR you and I, . . . . ("Love for" sort of smeared together)
2.1 Yes, THEY first got to get together, things WE understand
2.2 Yes, THEY got to first get together, things that WE understand
2.3 Don't you fool around with NO OTHER woman, I'D BE THE SAME 'BOUT another man
3.1 [?], and IT'S hard, hard to find IT GOOD
3.2 [?], and IT's hard, IT's hard to find it GOOD
4.1 When a man says that he's married, let's stop US before we begin
4.2 When a man says he's married, let's stop US before we begin
The front end of the first two lines of verse three is really tough to hear. It sounds sort of like "Love were made of a good foot teal", which obviously makes no sense, but is close phonetically. Probably it will be plain as day to somebody else. I look forward to hearing you sing this song some time, Suzy.
All best,
Johnm
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I'm hearing that line as:
"Love is made up good for a chill, but it's hard to find it good."
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Thanks all - thankful as always for Weeniedom, what a great community resource!
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But what about that one line? It's driving me crazy! Even John Miller can't make any sense out of it, anyone else care to make a guess?
The one right before, "It's hard to find it good"
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3.1 Love's made of a good foot'f steel and it's hard, hard to find it good
she's pretty clear about what she likes :P
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For what it's worth,
3.1 "Love's made of a good good steel..."
3.2 "Love's made of good good steel..."
Though it could be "seal" instead of "steel", but steel makes more sense.
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Howdy:
I have a few suggested changes (in brackets after effected line).
Alex
Well this has been very interesting.
Looking back through the posts I have come up with 'my definitive version (for the moment) of:
That'll Be Alright
Well look here mama see what you done done
Took all my money put me on the bum (...on A bum)
Chorus
But that'll be alright, oh no, but that'll be alright, oh no
Don't you hear me talkin' to you, mama that'll be alright
Now you were your dresses above your knee (...you WORE your...)
Serve some jelly to who you please
But that?ll be alright....
Gonna buy me a dog wise and old
Keep those men from jelly roll(...from A jellyroll)
But that?ll be alright....
Break (x2)
Now my baby said she loved me, don?t see why she can
Caught her on the corner with another man
But that?ll be alright...
Well you talk about jelly you ought to see mine (NOW you....)
Selling her jelly all over town
But that?ll be alright..
I had a good chance o' not sleepin' by myself (I don't hear the O')
Now she's gone and got somebody else
But that?ll be alright..
Gonna build me a house out on the street
So these women come sleep for me
But that?ll be alright..
Me and my brother went round the bend
Had my girl and couldn?t drive her in (my GAL...)
But that?ll be...
How many versions of the song have been recorded? could account for the different interpretations?
The version I have is June 18th 1928 recorded in New York
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Trying to decipher Soo Cow Soo - the 4th verse is mysterious! Perhaps the collective Weenie Campbell ear can solve this mystery? Here's what I've got:
https://youtu.be/YebYEOG0hYs
Soo Cow Soo
Now If you see my cow, tell her hurry home
I ain?t had no sweet milk since she?s been gone
CHORUS: You better soo, cow soo ? soo, cow soo
Whoa second time you will do
I (ain?t) had no sweet milk, since my cow?s been gone
If you see my cow, drive her to the barn
I ain't had nothing to drink since she been gone
My cow little aches, she can't get no water
(She) got a little calf, say you might've heard her holler
I?m taking my time (cow?), tell you the truth
Never stopped a‑jumping till ????
I got up this morning. I went outdoors
Knowed my cow, by the way she lows
I give her corn, I give her wheat
I'd give anything that the poor cow needs
Here's a link to a youtube: [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiJknzcE2Js]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiJknzcE2Js] [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiJknzcE2Js (http://[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiJknzcE2Js)[/url]
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I can't hear much in there right now, but the beginning of the 3rd verse as well as the entire 4th verse are both pretty tough. I'll try again later if someone with fresher ears hasn't chimed in.
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Del Rey and I came up with:
I tell her one time, tell her again
Never stopped a-jumpin' til she find the fence
That'll do for now, anyway.
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Works for me, Suzy... on the chorus, I hear "SHE" rather than "You"
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I also hear SHE better soo
on the chorus'
and I'm pretty sure it's
2.1 ... drive her to the FARM
less sure about verse 5. Minnie sure crams a lot in there.
5.1 I tell you my cowain't tethered to (a) pen
5.2 never stops jumpin tell she climbs thru it's fence
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I think Gumbo is on track for 5 -- for 3 I hear:
My cow in the lane, she can?t get no water
She find a little calf and you might have heard her holler
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Actually I now believe that verse 3 is:
My cow's titty aches, she can't get no water
She got a little calf, say you might've heard her holler
Love this song!
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If it's not it should be! :D
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Hi all,
I merged Suzy's "Soo Cow Soo" thread into the Memphis Minnie Lyrics thread.
All best,
Johnm
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INn6JJMFLH4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INn6JJMFLH4)
Anyone want to venture?
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This is as good as my old ears and bad ear buds can do....
I got to go I'm a little behind
I got the stuff that'll change your mind
Because I got good ol' soppin I mean I got
Well I got good soppin I'm tryin' to [juice] myself
It'd be [?] and it won't treat me right
Try and keep the boy [children] out of my sight
Because I got good ol' soppin I mean I got
Well I got good soppin I'm tryin' to [juice] myself
Third verse is undecipherable to my ear
I dunno just take [?]
[Spread] my soppin is the best in the world
Because I got good ol' soppin I mean I got
Well I got good soppin I'm tryin' to [juice] myself
And I don't know how you mens can tell
[?] and you bet it won't swell
Because I got good ol' soppin I mean I got
Well I got good soppin I'm tryin' to [juice] myself
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(As an aside, the general rule around here is to post what you have already, and let the rest of us try to fill in the pieces).
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Yeah, but look at it this way, Ross--You've done the easy stuff and now Meredith has to do the heavy lifting. ;)
Tomorrow I'll turn on the stereo and put on the headphones. Maybe I'll be able decipher a word or two. And if all else fails, Meredith can always call upon "artistic license" and make up her own lyrics for the unintelligible spots. If no one in the audience can understand the original, will they really be able to tell the difference? :P
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And remember, there is no "R" in Warshington...
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This should be pretty darn close (thanks to One-Eyed Ross for most of the work):
I?ve got to go I'm little behind
I?ve got the stuff that'll change your mind
Just because I got good ol' soppin? I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? I grind the juice myself
Little bit light and it won't treat me right
Tryin? keep the boy chillun out of my sight
Just because I got good ol' soppin? I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? and grind the juice myself
Pick my own cane, I pack my own seed,
When I get settled I pick my own leaves
Just because I got good ol' soppin I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? I grind the juice myself
Play it for me now. Yeah!
Good soppin? you all know it?s sugar cane!
Nice on a hot biscuit [there?s a stray ?m? sound between ?nice? and ?on? but I think Minnie just misspoke a bit]
I don?t know just take the word
Says my soppin? is the best in the world
Just because I got good ol' soppin? I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? I grind the juice myself
And I don't know how you mens can tell
Sop mama?s legs then your belly won?t swell
Just because I got good ol' soppin? I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? I grind the juice myself
Pick one of the sugar for 'em now
Good old soppin? cane molasses it?s nice and mellow!
Let?s play it whilst I sop here. Yeah!
And Meredith, a pleasure to see you around these parts!
Chris
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Whoa, Chris, you got some good ears there! I had no idea what a lot of those words were! Good on you, mate!
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Well done, Chris. I listened a little bit this morning and picked up a couple of the things you got, but in no way approaching your comprehensive transcription.
I checked Woman With Guitar, and although Good Soppin is mentioned, there's nothing in the way of a transcription. On p. 15 there's a quote from Minnie where she says that they grew sugarcane and sorghum on the farm where she lived and she would strip the cane and take it to the mill where they would grind and press the juice out. Good Soppin is also mentioned on p.191 in the introductory paragraph to the "Food and Cooking" chapter.
I tried to find some info on the range of meaning of "soppin" around the time when the song was recorded, but nothing really enlightening came up. Of course, there's "soppin sauce" that's used on barbecue, which has sugar or molasses as an ingredient. Perhaps, as the lyrics and spoken asides imply, sugar cane juice was simply used straight up on foods like biscuits, etc. Back in the day, some of my relatives used to use sugar syrup on pancakes and waffles, even when maple syrup was readily available and affordable. Lingering effects of living through the Depression, I guess.
Edited to add: Being originally from NJ, I'm not familiar with the history of Southern agriculture (re: what grows where) and cooking--and I'm sure that there was--and is--a lot of regional variation. I did a little searching and found this:
http://www.syrupsopping.org/id2.html (http://www.syrupsopping.org/id2.html)
My guess is that "soppin" ("sopping") probably originally referred to cane syrup, and maybe sorghum syrup as well. The wiki entry for "Sweet sorghum" reads in part, "Sorghum syrup and hot biscuits are a traditional breakfast in the Southern United States. Sorghum syrup is also used on pancakes, cornmeal mush, grits and other hot cereals..."
So Minnie was singing about something that was everyday fare, something well known and that she had first hand knowledge of, from the field to the table.
----------------------------------------------------------------
If you haven't seen a cane press, they're worth checking out.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=sugar+cane+press+photos (https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=sugar+cane+press+photos)
When I lived in Taiwan back in the 70's-80's, many of the fruit stands / juice shops had them. Some were hand cranked, some were electric. We'd order a glass of juice and they'd run a stalk of cane between the rollers to press the juice out. Mixed with shave ice, there's nothing like it on a hot, sub-tropical day. The stalk of cane through the rollers is a suggestive image, perhaps one that Minnie had in mind--but we'll never know.
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Thanks for that extra info, Stuart -- always love the background!
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Hi all,
I merged the recent thread on Memphis Minnie's lyrics to "Good Soppin'" into the Memphis Minnie Lyrics thread.
All best,
Johnm
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Ah, thank you both so much! Chris, how did you EVER decipher that? That is fabulous! Below I am quoting your work and adding a few notes and thanks.
I?ve got to go I'm little behind
I?ve got the stuff that'll change your mind {NICE - so, she pronounces it "chang" and "cane" sounds like "cang"}
Just because I got good ol' soppin? I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? I grind the juice myself
Little bit light and it won't treat me right
Tryin? keep the boy chillun out of my sight {Yeah it sounds like that but what the heck does it mean? I wonder instead if she's singing about something related to the work she's doing; I wonder if the first line is about "lightning" and the second line is "tryin' to keep the XXXXXX out of my sight" and "XXXXXXX" has to do with bad weather?}
Just because I got good ol' soppin? I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? and grind the juice myself
Pick my own cane, I pack my own seed, {THANKS FOR GETTING "cane"!}
When I get settled I pick my own leaves
Just because I got good ol' soppin I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? I grind the juice myself
Play it for me now. Yeah!
Good soppin? you all know it?s sugar cane!
Nice on a hot biscuit [there?s a stray ?m? sound between ?nice? and ?on? but I think Minnie just misspoke a bit] {YEAH!! GREAT!}
I don?t know just take the word {Are you sure about this line? I think it might be something else, but i can't hear what}
Says my soppin? is the best in the world
Just because I got good ol' soppin? I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? I grind the juice myself
And I don't know how you mens can tell
Sop mama?s legs then your belly won?t swell {my ear hears the words "sop my molass' then your belly won't swell"}
Just because I got good ol' soppin? I mean I got
Well I got good soppin? I grind the juice myself
Pick one of the sugar for 'em now
Good old soppin? cane molasses it?s nice and mellow!
Let?s play it whilst I sop here. Yeah!
***THANK YOU!!!!!!! It is SO GRATIFYING to understand these lyrics!****
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Meredith, thanks!
I went back and listened to a couple things that I think should be changed:
Line 1.2 I think should be:
I've got the stuff THAT CANE O' MINE
I think
Little bit light and it won't treat me right
Tryin? keep the boy chillun out of my sight
is right, I read it as she's having trouble grinding to her satisfaction and she's being pestered by all the men around her and she's trying to keep them away.
I don't know just take the word -- I believe she means "take my word for it," and just sings "the" instead of "my"
Line 5.2 I think you're right -- Sop my molass' then your belly won't swell.
See what you think -
Chris
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Oh! You made me realize, by hearing "cane" instead of "change" I think 1.2 is
I've got TO STRIP that cane of mine
You've gotta be right about
Little bit light and it won't treat me right
Tryin? keep the boy chillun out of my sight
That makes sense, and the rest makes sense. Thanks again!
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I just listened again and I agree, Meredith, it's "I've got TO STRIP that cane of mine," which makes perfect sense, given the context.
I've only been listening to the Youtube cut. I wonder what a quality 78 played on the right equipment would reveal?
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I agree on "strip that cane" also.
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I really dig this song from Memphis Minnie, I'll appreciate any help
Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTXM0h7Gv54
Memphis Minnie - My man's gone again
Well I got my (???) I tried to make love, my man is gone again
Well I got my (???) I tried to make love, my man is gone again
I bought him diamonds, ..(???) ...clothes, now he's runnin' round with a no good soul
I got my (???) I tried to make love, my man is one again, I mean, my man is gone again
Well I got my (???) I tried to make love, my man is gone again
Well I got my (???) I tried to make love, my man is gone again
Deep across town? in the county jail? ..??every lil' chick, a shot in the bill
I got my (???) I tried to make love, my man is gone again, I mean, my man is gone again
solo
Well I got my (???) I tried to make love, because my man is gone again
Well I got my (???) I tried to make love, my man is gone again
If you got a man, can't keep him home, you go cross' town? and???
I got my (???) I tried to make love, my man is one again, I mean, my man is gone again
Thanks!!!
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I'm hearing:
"I've got mind of, a-tryin' to make love"
"I bought him diamonds, the best of clothes, no he runnin' around with his no good soul"
"He cross town, in a cafe chair, buying every lil' chick a shot and a beer"
"If you got a man, can't keep him home, you go across town and you carryin' on"
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I'd suggest "cafeteria" instead of "cafe chair". She pronounces it cafeter'.
Chris
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Hi coco,
I think the main line in the verses is: Well, I got my 'nough of tryin' to make love", with 'nough short for enough.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
I merged the recent thread on "My Man Is Gone Again" into the Memphis Minnie Lyrics thread.
All best,
Johnm
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So far only four Minnie songs have made it to weeniepedia, see http://weeniecampbell.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Memphis_Minnie_Lyrics. I'm sure we'd all like to get them all up there. The reason most haven't been transferred is likely that there was a lot of fine tuning after the first attempts, and the generally accepted changes weren't always applied to the original.
I'll take it upon myself as a mini project over the next 'whatever how long' to curate final transcriptions of them merging in the corrections. Where doubt exists I'll post them here first when they're done for another run through, before moving them up.
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Greetings
As usual I am trying to get back to the original lyrics of this song.
So I would appreciate your help with verse four of this song please.
I am ok with verses one, two and three.
Black Rat Swing by Memphis Minnie
The following link is the earliest version I can find.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uv6_xkPDG8
Yes you is one black rat, someday I?ll find your trail
Yeah you is one black rat, someday I?ll find your trail
Then I?ll hide my shoe somewhere near your shirt tail
Yes I?ve taken you downtown, paid your doctor bills
Now I?m in a little trouble and you?se trying to get me killed
Yes you is one black rat, someday I?ll find your trail
Then I?ll hide my shoe somewhere near your shirt tail
He sneaks in my kitchen, eats up all the bread
Soon as I left home , start to cutting up in my bed
Yes he is one black rat, someday I?ll find his trail
Then I?ll hide my shoe somewhere near his shirt tail
He must? Dance? in the basement, was seen in my bedroom
Trapping? through the yoncers?, I?m gonna check him some day soon.
Yes he is one black rat, someday I?ll find his trail
Then I?ll hide my shoe somewhere near his shirt tail
------------------ ------------------------ -----------------------
This final verse comes from the Joanne Kelly cover from the 1960s, which I guess was her interpretation of this verse.
Yes he?s seen in my kitchen, seen in my bedroom
Tracking through the yard, pinching someone?s food
Yes he is one black rat, someday I?ll find his trail
Then I?ll hide my shoe somewhere near his shirt tail
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Hmmm. The words in CAPS are the ones i feel are worthy of consideration. The rest are either the same as yours or what it sounds like to me
Keevers dens in the basement, was seen in my bedroom
TRAP HIM fer th' yoncers, I WILL CATCH him soon
By Mr Memphis Minnie, Little Son Joe, Ernest Lawlars.
Minnie on Guitar and Alfred Elkins on bass. Recorded December 12th 1941
It says here.
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Working on the theory that the last verse's first line's subjects are both rooms in the house, I was wondering if the second line is also about a room. Pronunciation is 'yonsin'. Could it be 'johnson', with the 'j' pronounced 'y'? If so which room is 'the johnson'?
Obviously the closest match to a house room name still in use would be 'the john'. I couldn't find a definitive slang reference for 'johnson' apart from the obvious one for the male anatomy. Maybe they called the john the johnson in 1940s Chicago and it got shortened-up later.
So the second line last verse could be 'Trap (or track would fit better) him through the johnson...'
All this is total speculation, of course! But it sort of fits.
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For that last verse I always sang:
He was seen in the basement, was seen in my bedroom
Trap is set over yonder, gonna catch up with him soon
Before I came up with the words of the second line I used to sing "Tromping through the yonches" which means....nothing.
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Hi all,
I merged the thread on "Black Rat Swing" with the pre-existing Memphis Minnie Lyrics thread.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks all for your comments. I have done some more digging. Memphis Minnie used to go to New York to do recording. New York has a district known as Yonkers. It is separated from the Bronx by McLean Avenue.
So my current thinking is that the verse goes
He must dance in the basement, was seen in my bedroom
Tramping through the Yonkers, i'm gonna catch him one day soon
Yes he is one black rat, some day I'll find his trail
Then I'll hide my shoe somewhere near his shirt tail
Regards
Davet
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I'm dubious about your idea for the verse, davet. Yonkers is a proper noun, not a plural. No one who had been there would speak of "the Yonkers". It would be akin to saying "Tramping through the Manchester".
All best,
Johnm
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If memory serves me right, "Yoncers" was slang for the police I remember hearing in some long-forgotten film.
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Working on lyrics for She Put Me Outdoors, last verse?
https://youtu.be/GwELUV-IeFg
She Put Me Outdoors - Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie
What?s the matter now, you put my clothes outdoors
What?s the matter now, you put my clothes outdoors
Well you know about that, I don?t want you no more
The snow is falling, the wind began to blow
The snow is falling, the wind began to blow
That?s the way pretty poppa, I made change for you to go
Let me in now, Just want to warm my hands
Let me in now, Just want to warm my hands
I?d like to accommodate you, but I just got another man
That?s alright now, that?s alright for you
That?s alright now, that?s alright for you
You can go and head home now, I?ve got nothing you can do
One early morning, gonna bury and fare you well
One early morning, .....gonna bury and fare you well
And if you come back here, you will catch .....a taste of hell.
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She Put Me Outdoors - Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie
12 Bar, Capo 4th fret.
Intro:
Kansas Joe McCoy:
D D A A
What?s the matter now, you put my clothes outdoors
D D A A
What?s the matter now, you put my clothes outdoors
Memphis Minnie:
E7 D7 A A
Well you know about that, I don?t want you no more
The snow is falling, the wind began to blow
The snow is falling, the wind began to blow
That?s the way pretty poppa, I made change for you to go
Let me in now, Just want to warm my hands
Let me in now, Just want to warm my hands
I?d like to accommodate you, but I just got another man
Solo:
That?s alright now, that?s alright for you
That?s alright now, that?s alright for you
You can go and head home now, I?ve got nothing you can do
One early morning, gonna bury and fare you well
One early morning, gonna bury and fare you well
And if you come back here, you will catch a taste of hell.
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Hi Wilson,
In the last verse, I believe Joe is singing:
One early morning, gon' bid you, "Fare you well."
Joe is playing the song out of D position tuned a half-step low. Each of the first two four-bar phrases starts on the IV chord, G. Minnie sounds like she is capoed to the seventh fret, playing out of G position in standard tuning (tuned a half-step low).
All best,
Johnm
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Thank you John, for your help with the lyrics, positions and half-step low tunings. I have to give a group lesson on this song in about two weeks, so this has helped a lot. And last line is starting to sound like "And if you come back here, you will catch or take a heel."
She Put Me Outdoors - Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie
12 Bar, tuned a half-step low.
Kansas Joe McCoy: D position, tuned a half-step low.
G G D D
G G D D
A7 G D D
Memphis Minnie: G position in standard tuning, tuned a half-step low, capped at the seventh fret.
C C G G
C C G G
D7 C G G
Intro:
Kansas Joe McCoy:
What?s the matter now, you put my clothes outdoors
What?s the matter now, you put my clothes outdoors
Memphis Minnie:
Well you know about that, I don?t want you no more
The snow is falling, the wind began to blow
The snow is falling, the wind began to blow
That?s the way pretty poppa, I made change for you to go
Let me in now, Just want to warm my hands
Let me in now, Just want to warm my hands
I?d like to accommodate you, but I just got another man
Solo:
That?s alright now, that?s alright for you
That?s alright now, that?s alright for you
You can go and head home now, I?ve got nothing you can do
One early morning, gon' bid you, fare you well
One early morning, gon' bid you, fare you well
And if you come back here, you will catch or take a heel.
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Working on 'You Stole My Cake' by Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe McCoy, need help with some of the lyrics.
I had a cake, it's nice and brown,
I never missed a piece, until you come up to hang around
You stole my cake, Yes you stole my cake
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
You were there when I baked it, you were there when I put it away
You were the last man in my house, this very day
You stole my cake, Yes you stole my cake
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
Oh look a mama told me, papa told me too
You don't won?t that boy steel that bread away from you
You stole my cake, Yes you stole my cake
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
(Solo)
Now look a here boy, I thought you ?. ?..
Went to see my mother, ?. ?.
You stole my cake, Yes you stole my cake
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
I went to you house, fell down on the floor
Done something to me, say you ?. ?. do no more
You stole my cake, Yes you stole my cake
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
(Solo)
I won?t you to hug me baby, hug me good and tight
I?ve be trying all day, and I can?t ?. my life
You stole my cake, Yes you stole my cake
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
Now look a here boy, I know you ain?t right
Feel my cake, both day and night
You stole my cake, Yes you stole my cake
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today.
https://youtu.be/u705MqlwtlE
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Hi Wilson,
I'll see if I can get any of it.
1.1 I had a cake, COOKED nice and brown
1.2 I never missed NAR' a piece 'til you come up to hang around
2.1 You were there when I COOKED it, you were there when I put it away
2.2 You the last man I LEFT in my house this very day
2.3 You DONE stole my cake
3.1 'CAUSE my Mama told me, Papa told me, too
3.2 "IF you don't WATCH that boy, he'll STEAL that bread away from you."
4.1 Now, look-a here, boy, I thought you WOULD ACT FAIR
4.2 WHY'D YOU SAY my Mother stole WHAT SHE HAD FROM THERE
5.1 I went to YOUR house, fell OUT on the floor
5.2 YOU done somethin' to me YOU say you WASN'T GONNA do no more
6.1 I WANT you to hug me, baby hug me good and tight
6.2 I've BEEN tryin' all day, and I can't, TO SAVE my life
7.1 Now, look-a here, boy, YOU know you ain't right
7.2 STEAL my cake, both day and night
I think it's worth getting Joe's response lines on the choruses. The song is much more interesting with them in there.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks Johnm...
You Stole My Cake - Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe McCoy
Intro:
I had a cake, cooked nice and brown,
I never missed nar? a piece ?til you come up to hang around
You done stole my cake, ?you taking about me?
Yes you stole my cake ?I ain?t seen no cake?
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
You were there when I cooked it, you were there when I put it away
You were the last man I left in my house this very day
You done stole my cake, ?I swear I haven?t?
Yes you stole my cake ?I haven?t seen no cake?
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
?Cause my Mama told me, papa told me, too
If you don't watch that boy, he'll steal that bread away from you
You done stole my cake, ?but I haven?t seen no cake?
Yes you stole my cake ?I swear I didn?t??
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
Solo:
Now, look-a here, boy, I thought you would act fair
Why?d you say my mother stole what she had from there
You done stole my cake, ?I haven?t seen no cake?
Yes you stole my cake ?I swear I haven?t?
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
I went to your house, fell out on the floor
You done somethin' to me you say you wasn?t gonna do no more
You done stole my cake, ?but I ain?t seen no cake?
Yes you stole my cake ?what kind of cake? jellyroll
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
Solo:
I want you to hug me, baby hug me good and tight
I've been tryin' all day, and I can't, to save my life
You done stole my cake, ?I ain?t seen no cake?
Yes you stole my cake ?I swear I haven?t?
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today
Now, look-a here, boy, You know you ain't right
Steal my cake, both day and night
You done stole my cake, ?I swear I haven?t?
Yes you stole my cake ?I swear I didn?t?
Yes you stole my cake, nobody been in my house but you today.
-
Dear all, this is my first time on your website. I am currently working on translating 10 to 15 blues songs into French for a possible publishing project with illos... So far, translation is OK but I have troubles understanding verses sometimes.
Case # 1: Tommy Johnson's Cool Drink of water, verse # 4. Does he really say:
"It's done taken your faro, blowed its smoke on you"
Is Faro the card game? Then what does it mean?
Case # 2: I have managed to get Memphis Minnie's Bad luck woman entire lyrics after hundreds of listening but even with the help of Paul Garon (author of Minnie's biography), I couldnt get the 2nd line of verse #1. Can you help?
https://youtu.be/n9rdFcoaw-8
Every man I get, if he don't get sick, he will die
[Does a woman take away from them, a doggone fly]???
Needless to say, all lyrics websites give either a wrong version of the lyrics, or a version derived from a cover.
Thank you all in advance,
Eric
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Hi Dr Pryor,
I think the second line of the first verse of "I'm A Bad Luck Woman" is:
Don't, some woman take him away from me on a doggone fly
The implication being, if the man neither gets sick nor dies, she'll still lose him, due to another woman snatching him away from her, on the fly. There isn't really a vowel sound in "me" in that line, but you can clearly hear the "m" of "me" preceding "on".
I hope this helps.
All best,
Johnm
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Dr. Pryor,
Re: the Tommy Johnson song Cool Drink of Water, I think in this case, faro means girlfriend.
So, the train has taken his girlfriend and blown smoke on him.
Jean
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Dear all, a huge thank you!!
Tommy Johnson, well that was probably an easy one for you (I'm French). I had eventually found out faro/fairo meaning after my post and this is definitely clear now!
Memphis Minnie, may I ask, are you sure (as many other native English American failed understanding)? I have to admit, it makes sense and it does sound like you say!
If that is helpful for a contribution - as there are very few Memphis Minnie's lyrics on Weenie Campbel - I can provide the whole song now.
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Dr Pryor,
I'm as sure as I could be--the sound is spot on, and it makes sense, too, which is important. I don't think the fact that other American English speakers have missed it in the past is especially significant.
All best,
Johnm
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Can't find the "thumbs up" icon... Thank you, thank you, and thank you again!
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Hi, can't access the Memphis Minnie lyrics page. Below, thanks to your forum and the solving of my missing line, I'm proposing Minnie's Bad luck blues:
Every man I get, if he don't get sick, he will die
Don't some woman take him away from me on a doggone fly
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman I can't see the reason why
Well the next man I got, you know he worked very hard
Just as soon as I got him he lost his doggone job
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman I can't see the reason why
Well the next man I got he was a railroad man
Just as soon as I got him everything went out his doggone hands
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman I can't see the reason why
Well the next man I got he was long and tall
Everytime I looked around he was kickin' at some other man’s stall
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman I can't see the reason why
(Ok, play now boys… play it for me
That's what I am talking about...)
Well the next man I got he was short and fat
I couldn't keep him because he wasn't tight like that
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman I can't see the reason why
Well the next man I got he was a sandhog in the sea
I had him two days and he got drowned away from me
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman I can't see the reason why
Well the next man I got bought me a hat and a dress
And every time I look around, the police had gone a doggone arrest
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman
I'm a bad luck woman I can't see the reason why
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Couple suggestions Dr. Pryor – hopefully the admins can merge this into the main lyric thread:
Title is I'm a Bad Luck Woman
3.2 Just as soon as I got him everything HURT his doggone HAND
7.2 And every time I look around, the police had HIM UNDER doggone arrest
Chris
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Hi Banjochris,
If I ever manager to convince a publisher that my project is worth printing, your name will be in it!
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thanks!
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Hi all,
I was surprised to find that we've never transcribed the lyrics to Memphis Minnie's "Drunken Barrelhouse Blues", one of her solo numbers. She played it out of G position in standard tuning and uses a form in which most of the proportions of the 12-bar form are doubled, for the verses. Here is "Drunken Barrelhouse Blues":
https://youtu.be/J4CE_H5DHKw
INTRO SOLO
If you listen to me, good people, I'll tell you what it's all about
If you listen to me, good people, I'll tell you what it's all about
Well, this good stuff is here, and it's just come now
Catch me drunk in the mornin', don't say one mumblin' word
Catch me drunk in the mornin', don't say one mumblin' word
I can't tell y'all about it, and I ain't gon' tell you nothin' I heard (Spoken: Aw, play!)
SOLO
Well, I b'lieve I get drunk, tear this old barrelhouse down
Well, I b'lieve I'll get drunk, tear this old barrelhouse down
'Cause I ain't got no money, but I can hobo on out of town
Give me one more drink, drink of that bottle in bond
Give me one more drink, drink of that bottled in bond
And I will tell everything, just as soon as I get back home
Give me a stein of beer, if not a drink of gin
Give me a stein of beer, if not a drink of gin
I feel myself gettin' sober, I want to get back drunk again
CODA
Edited 2/2 to pick up corrections from lindy
Edited 2/3 to pick up correction from Harry
All best,
Johnm
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I'm working on a Memphis Minnie song myself.
suggestions
1.3 and it's it just warm come now
3.3 but I can hobo on out of outta town
4.1 & 4.2 drink of that bottled in bond bottling burn
5.3 I want to wanna get back drunk again
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I've been working on this song for a while, and I hear three things differently. Except for the last line of verse 1 they're nit-picky, and can go either way.
1.1 / 1.2 -- I tell you what it's all about (instead of "I'll"--I don't hear the -'ll-)
1.3 and it's just pouring out
4.1 / 4.2 -- I don't hear the "d" in "bottled in bond," even though that's the formal written form for describing "the good stuff."
I'm confident I've heard "bottle in bond" (no 'd') sung in the past, but I admit that those memories could very well be from covers of the original. When I went looking for evidence on Weeniepedia, the only thing I came up with was a song titled "Boll Weevil" by Irvin 'Gar Mouth' Lowry:
The clerk said, "Go 'way, mister farmer, boll weevil's in your field."
She were drinkin' bottle in bond, bottle in bond.
Discovering someone with the nickname "Gar Mouth" made my day.
Lindy
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I agree with Lindy on the "I" in 1.1/1.2
1.3 I think is "it's just come now"
4.1/4.2 I don't hear the "d" either, but it's definitely bottle/bottled in bond. Interestingly, Ethel McCoy doesn't pronounce the "d" either in her recording.
On the outta/out of, want to/wanna, I know we've been over that before; I think it's fine as is.
Chris
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Thanks for the suggestions, Harry and lindy. I took some but not all of them. Re "I" versus, "I'll", I hear "I'll" in 1.1 and 1.2, it just seems a more complex sound at the back than a simple "I" would. I do hear "pouring out" rather than "come out", in re-listening to 1.3. I'm not going to change "out of" to "outta". Re "bottled in bond", I agree it's "bottle in bond" the first time she sings it, but she does put the "d" on the second time. "Bottling burn" is meaningless, Harry.
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I don't hear "pouring out" at all in 1.3
I'm pretty sure it's "come now".
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Harry, I don't hear the "c" at the front end, and I also don't hearing the "m" in "come". It sounds like "pourin' out" to me.
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Sounds like “it just come now” to me.
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Thanks for hanging in there with "just come now" for those of you who did. I just re-listened again, and heard "now" clearly, and as a separate word, and that cleared the way for "come". Actually, I put "come now" when I entered the song in Weeniepedia originally, so I'll just make the change in the original post. Thanks!
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Sylvester And His Mule Blues
Memphis Minnie - Vocals, Guitar
"Dennis" (Possibly Charlie Segar) – Piano
January 10, 1935
Chicago, Illinois
Piano in D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZpc5XLu3DI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZpc5XLu3DI)
Sylvester went out his lot he looked at his mule
And he decided he send the president some news
Sylvester went out in his lot and he looked at his mule
And he decided he will send the president some news
Sylvester walked out across his field begin to pray and moan
He cried oh Lord b’lieve I'm gonna lose my home
Sylvester walked out across his farm begin to pray and moan
He cried oh Lord I believe I will lose my home
He thought about the president he got on the wire
If I lose my home I believe I'll die
He thought about the president and he got on his wire
If I lose my home I believe I will die
He called the president on the telephone
I wanna talk to you I’m ‘bout to lose my home
He called the president on the telephone
I wanna talk to you I’m ‘bout to lose my home
First time he called he get him somebody else
I don't want to talk to that man I’ll speak to Mr. President Roosevelt
First time he called he get him someone else
I don't want to talk to that man I want to talk to Mr. Roosevelt
He said now Sylvester you can rest in ease
Catch that big black jackass and go in by your field
He said Sylvester you can rest in ease
You can catch that jackass to raise all your cotton and seed
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To me, that last line sounds like
You can catch that jack ass to raise all your cotton and seed
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Yes it's "jackass" probably. Weird speech in the second "jackass"
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Minnie, in "You Can't Rule Me" sings:
Come and get my money, say you paid a fine
Now I done got tired of your three-six-nine
You can't rule me, you can't rule me,
You can't take my money, man and rule me too.
"three-six-nine" is sung very clearly, no ambiguity about the words, but the meaning is a little mysterious. Presumably some slang that was current about 1937? Anybody know?
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3-6-9
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Paul Oliver, in Screening The Blues, has 3-6-9 as "excrement, both animal and human", though he gives the number 9 in that combination as signifying power.
Robert Cremer, in Secret Language Of The Blues, has it more generally as "misfortune, dirt, and disaster".
I think Minnie's usage most closely aligns with Calt's definition.
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In Blind Blake's "Playing Policy Blues," 3-6-9 is a losing combo.
I act like a fool and played 3-6-9
I act like a fool and played 3-6-9
Lost my money and that girl of mine
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Hi all,
I merged the new thread re Memphis Minnie's use of the term 3-6-9 into the pre-existing "Memphis Minnie Lyrics" thread. That discussion immediately precedes this post.
All best,
Johnm
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Well, that makes perfect sense. Thanks.
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Hi Weenies,
I need your help deciphering a line in the second to last verse of Memphis Minnie's Walking and Crying Blues. This is what I have so far:
Walking and Crying Blues
Why you always asking me
How come I’m always walking and crying
Oooh lord, how come I’m always walking and crying
Cause I haven’t had the chance to tell you what I got on my mind
You’ve got ways I really can’t understand
Ooh lord, I can’t understand
You can run around with your women
but you don’t want me to have no other man
Why don’t you act fair treat me like I do you
Woohoo treat me like I do you
How can you pray for your sins
Don’t play me for no doggone fool
I may look green but I ain’t no cabbage brown
I may look green but I ain’t no cabbage brown
Now you can have a ????
But I swear I’m not coming out
Me I walks on everyday just like tramping on the grass
Woo lord just like tramping on the grass
Anytime you walk on me
Oowoo that’s your yas yas yas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6TQtqUNLb0
Thanks.
Jean
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I may look green but I ain’t no cabbage sprout
I may look green but I ain’t no cabbage sprout
Now you can have a fool that planted me, but I swear I’m not coming out
Mens walks on women these days, just like tramping on the grass
Woo, Lord, just like tramping on the grass
Anytime you walk on me, Oowoo, that’s your yas yas yas
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Brilliant! Thank you so much Blues Vintage.
Jean
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Hi Jean and Blues Vintage,
I'm hearing something slightly different for the tagline to the next-to-last verse:
Now you can ACT a fool THAT'S planted me, but I swear I'm not coming out
Minnie pronounces "act" like "ack". To "act a fool" or "act the fool" are both common expressions.
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That does make more sense John. I still don't completely understand the line, being planted and not coming out, but maybe they are some idioms I'm not familiar with.
Jean
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Hi Jean,
I think Minnie's saying she's not fresh off the farm, or green, but has been around, and is not going to fall for this guy's line of jive and simply do his bidding or bend to his will. If that is what she's saying, it is a bit of a stretch, and certainly not obvious.
All best,
Johnm
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I think it's 'brown' not 'sprout', as in 'I'm not a country girl', and that rhymes well enough with 'out'.
The 3rd line makes a lot more sense as 'Now you can act the fool, 's'plain t'me, but I swear I'm not coming' out. But then you would have to state that she swallows it or garbles it or something.
Wax
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I think I'll stick with sprout - it makes more sense to me and it rhymes with out. Also, it ties in with the line about being planted and not coming out.
J
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I agree with "sprout" 100% – I think that tagline might be:
Now you can have a-fully planted me, but I swear I'm not coming out.
In other words, that he's laid the groundwork for taking advantage of her, but she's not blooming for his benefit.
Chris
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Chris's suggested tagline for the verse matches the sound of what Minnie sang much better than what I suggested, and has a meaning more consistent with the first two lines, as well.
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Hi all,
I merged islandgal's recent thread on "Walking And Crying Blues" into the Memphis Minnie Lyrics thread, but kept the titles of the posts pertaining to the song as they were, for ease in following the discussion.
All best,
Johnm