WeenieCampbell.com
Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: Johnm on July 10, 2010, 04:23:45 PM
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Hi all,
I've enjoyed this tune for the past several years after discovering it on "The Essential Bill Gaither", put out by Document. I can't offer any information on the ensemble personnel, for none is included in the liner notes. The song starts with a lyric break in the first four bars, backed by a dangerously catchy harmonized ascending line in the bass. I just started performing the song this week-end with Orville Johnson and Grant Dermody, and it is a gas. I look forward to trying to get sick of it.
https://youtu.be/jVJyyhlH6vc
Well, the weather's got rough, I ain't got no winter clothes
And it looks like that devil of mine, gonna put me outdoors
REFRAIN: Oh, baby, I'm behind the eight ball now
A dollar bill is my friend, ain't no human friends nohow
I was workin' for a man named Sam, in water to my knees
Eatin' left-over bread and rolls, scrap meat and black-eyed peas
REFRAIN: Oh, baby, I'm behind the eight ball now
My friend is a dollar bill, baby, ain't no human friends nohow
Well, I tried the relief, Social Security too
They said, "You ain't been here so long, there ain't nothin' we can do"
REFRAIN: Yes, baby, I'm behind the eight ball now
My friend is a dollar bill, baby, ain't no human friend nohow
When I meet my friends, out on the street
They afraid I want a dime, so they don't even speak
REFRAIN: Yes, people, I'm behind that black ball now
My friend is a dollar bill, baby, ain't no human friends nohow
Now I been lookin' for a letter, not a letter did I see
And it looked like Mr. Melrose forgot to send for me
REFRAIN: Yes, baby, I'm behind the eight ball now
My friend is a dollar bill, baby, ain't no human friends nohow
All best,
Johnm
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I can't offer any information on the ensemble personnel,
You're not alone there, John. B&GR4 has "unknown piano, Leonard Caston or Bill Gaither guitar, unknown string bass". The song was recorded for Okeh in Chicago on January 24, 1941.
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Just for information Pen Bogert singles this track out for special mention in the Document booklet to the complete (vol. 5) referring to it as "one of his best songs".
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Definitely one of his best numbers. I spotlighted him several months ago on my program: http://sundayblues.org/archives/645 (http://sundayblues.org/archives/645)
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Hi all,
Bill "Little Bill" Gaither was a singer and guitarist who had some hits in the mid to late '30s. I believe he was originally from Kentucky, but by the time he became a recording musician he was living in Indianapolis. He's somewhat analogous to Johnny Temple, in that his early recordings featured him playing guitar, but the deeper he got into his recording career, the more he was featured just singing on his records, accompanied by studio players. On many of his records he was accompanied by a really terrific pianist, Honey Hill.
I don't know who accompanies him "Georgia Barrelhouse", but is the first track of his I ever heard, on an old Biograph/Historical re-issue. He was a fine singer with a strong, bright voice. Here is the song:
https://youtu.be/zuzgNd5N83E
INTRO
I know you're from Georgia, but you all right with me
I know you're from Georgy, but you're all right with me
And if you love me, I wonder what can it be?
You was once a good girl, and I had faith in you
You was once a good girl, and I had faith in you
But when you started to drinkin', nothin's too bad to do
SOLO
Drinkin' won't help you now, cryin' won't do no good
Drinkin' won't help you now, cryin' won't do no good
Before the early morning, I'll be down at your neighborhood
SOLO (Spoken: You just one of them old barrelhouse gals, runnin' up and down these old alleys. Drinkin' this old bad alcohol and stayin' out all night. That stuff's got to be cut out now, I'm gon' tell my thoughts in a minute. I'm gon' get drunk one of these nights.)
I'm gonna get drunk one of these nights and tell my sober thoughts
I'm gonna get drunk one of these nights and tell my sober thoughts
You know what I mean, give me back everything I bought
All best,
Johnm
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Here are links to a couple of related threads:
http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=6633.msg52553#msg52553 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=6633.msg52553#msg52553)
http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=270.msg46130#msg46130 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=270.msg46130#msg46130)
Document still has a few copies of "The Essential":
http://www.document-records.com/fulldetails.asp?ProdID=CBL-200018 (http://www.document-records.com/fulldetails.asp?ProdID=CBL-200018)
Also:
http://www.allmusic.com/album/bill-gaither-the-essential-mw0000006830 (http://www.allmusic.com/album/bill-gaither-the-essential-mw0000006830)
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-gaither-mn0001357959 (http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-gaither-mn0001357959)
Please feel free to clean this post up as you see fit, John.
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In The Wee Wee Hours
Bill Gaither – Vocals, Guitar
Honey Hill – Piano
August 27, 1937
New York City, New York
Piano in C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDKwxlu4lg8
INTRO
In the wee wee hours, just about sunrise
In the wee wee hours, just about sunrise
My mind is worrying, tears standing in my eyes
My mind rolls on, back to when I was happy and free
My mind rolls on, back to when I was happy and free
Well, I wonder why, nobody cares for me
Blues, why do you worry me, why do you stay so long?
Blues, why do you worry me, why do you stay so long?
You came to me one evening, you’ve been with me from then on
Sometimes I feel like, that I am just a slave
Sometimes I feel like, I am just a slave
When the blues gets on me, I’d rather be in my grave
What’s the use of living, if you can’t have the one you love?
What’s the use of living, if you can’t have the one you love?
Give yourself to the devil, your soul to the Lord up above
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A Thousand Years And A Day
Bill Gaither – Vocals, Guitar
Honey Hill – Piano
June 23, 1938
New York City, New York
Piano in F
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee6WlfJQGEA
INTRO
I’m leaving this morning, to never return again
I’m leaving this morning, to never return again
I’ve done all a poor man could do, and I have tried to be a friend
You know I tried to love you, tried to treat you nice and kind
I've tried to love you, tried to treat you nice and kind
But you treated me so low-down, till I just can’t keep from cryin’
I went raggedy and hungry, and you know I’ve slept outdoors
I've went raggedy and hungry, ooh, and you know I’ve slept outdoors
So you could wear silk and satin, and your high-grade hose
Goodbye, baby, do the best you can
Goodbye, baby, do the best you can
You should be satisfied, you can go live with your other man
Don’t you hear that train a-coming, to carry me away?
Don’t you hear that train a-coming, to carry me away?
I’m bidding you a lifetime goodbye, a thousand years and a day
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Hi Blues Vintage,
In "In The Wee Wee Hours" in 3.3 there is a typo,
You came to me ONE evening, . . .
3.1 and 3.2 and 5.1 and 5.2 should end with question marks
In "A Thousand Years And A Day"
2.2 I'VE tried to love you, . . .
3.2 I'VE went raggedy and hungry
5.1 and 5.2 should end in question marks
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I really like the meticulous detail at this forum.
Thanks, John. I made the changes.