Topic: Lil Johnson Lyrics

[chipmonk doug]

Looking for new material for the wife to sing, we have lots that I sing but need more dirty blues for her to sing.  Came up with this.  But missing a few words.  Here is the song:



They won't let you link direct but it's the first here.
http://prewarblues.org/

Press my button, Ring my Bell - Lil? Johnson 1936

My man though he was raised in (sand?)
I said give it to me baby you don?t understand
Where?d you put that thing
Where?d you put that thing
Just press my button ?n my bell will ring

Come on baby let?s have some fun
Just put yo?r hot dog in my bun
And I?ll have that thing
That ding a ling
Just press my button and my bell will ring

My man (back?) in the rain and cold
He?s got the right key But just can?t find the right hole
He says where?s that thing
That ding a ling
I?ve been pressing your button and your bell won?t ring

Now tell me daddy what it?s all about
Tryin? to fix your spark plug and it?s all worn out
I can?t use that thing
That ding a ling
I?ve been pressin? your button and your bell won?t ring

Yeah my baby, all out of breath
Been workin? all night and ain?t done nothin? yet
What?s wrong with that thing
That ding a ling
I?ve been pressin? your button and your bell won?t ring

Hear me baby on my bended knee
I want some kind daddy to hear my plea
And bring me that thing
That ding a ling
Just press my button ?n my bell will ring

[dj]

First verse:

My man thought he was raisin' sand
I said "Give it to me baby you don't understand
Where to put that thing
Where to put that thing...

Third verse:

My man's out back in the rain and cold
He's got the right key but just can't find the hole...

[Blues Vintage]

House Rent Scuffle

Lil’ Johnson – Vocals
Charles Avery – Piano
Tampa Red – Guitar

June 27, 1929
Chicago, Illinois





Play that thing play that thing just right
Play that thing play that thing just right
We got to scuffle that house rent tonight

My house rent's due my gas bill run up to ten
My house rent's due my gas bill run up to ten
I wouldn't have no light but the light man couldn't get in

Spoken;
Oh play that thing boy
Everybody dance and have a good time
I got everything to drink from soda water to wine
I got fried chicken even got red beans and rice
Now don't you hear me talking to you
This is Miss Lil’ Johnson Lord
Somebody buy the piano player a drink
He's just too tight
But you played at my house every saturday night
Don't forget the landlady

[Johnm]

God, I love that cut! Charles Avery's time with Tampa Red is "die happy" stuff as far as I'm concerned. Great choice, Harry!
All best,
Johnm

[eric]

Ha! they're taking no prisoners on that one.  Great stuff.

[Benjamin L]

Dear all,

Recently, I was listening to George Barnes' recordings and came across a song with Washboard Sam:
Down at the old village store. To the best of my knowledge the song goes back to Lil Johnson.
Unfortunately, I can't decipher the lyrics.
Now I hope to find some help around here. You'll find the recording on YouTube:


For those who are interested in the chord Progression, Lil Johnson plays it in F:
F(6X), C7(2X), F, F7, Bb6, Bb7, F, C7, F(2X)      --> X=repititions
Washboard Sam in C.

I wasn't able to decipher the lyrics except of a small part.
Can you help me?

What I have so far:

Down at the old village store
Father Rim, Mr. Rim, [?]
Meet me down by that old village store, Halleluja
We'll have our meeting down and
[...]
and we'll leave our sins on the floor.

Don't you know, it's time to go
Down to that old village store, Halleluja
[...]
[...]
And leave our sins on the floor.

Guitar Solo #1

Halleluja, Yeah,  you can do ya, Yeah
Turn (shine) your lights down low
[...]
[...] and pigmeat
And leave our sins on the floor

Piano Solo

[...]
[...]
Down to that old village store
We'll holy and [...]
Sisters and Brothers
And leave our sins on the floor

Guitar Solo #2

I love all my sisters Rim [?]
And my brother Rim [?]
Down at that old village store, Halleluja
I can't see my [...]
And [...]
I leave him down on the floor, Yeah!

Outro Piano

[Johnm]

Hi Benjamin L,
I had to go to the Washboard Sam version to understand a lot of these lyrics better, but I think I have most of the song at this point. Others are free to improve on what I have.
All best,
Johnm

Brethren, sistren [sic]
Meet me down by that old village store, hallelujah
We'll have our meetin' down at Reverend Eaton's and we'll
Leave our sins on the floor

Don't you know, it's time to go
Down to that old village store, hallelujah
The Reverend Eaton's can start our meetin' and
Leave our sins on the floor

GUITAR SOLO

Hallelujah, Deacon Julia
Turn the lights down low
Get in your clean sheets, with Reverend's pigmeat, and
Leave her sins on the floor

PIANO SOLO (Spoken: Aw, let him play!)

They say two clean sheets can't dirty each other
Down to that old village store, hallelujah
We'll holy-roll with our sisters and brothers and
Leave our sins on the floor

GUITAR SOLO

I love all my sistren [sic] and all my brethren
Down at that old village store, hallelujah
I can't see my sins, but I can feel them when, I
Leave them down on the floor, yes!

PIANO SOLO AND CODA

Edited 9/10 to pick up corrections from Blues Vintage
Edited 9/11 ro pick up correction from Dave Kaatz



 

[Blues Vintage]

Sounds like Reverend Eaton not "Reverend Cheaten" throughout the song.

verse 2

The Reverend Cheaten's gon' can start our meetin' and we'll
Leave our sins on the floor

verse 3

Hallelujah, he's gon' cure you Deacon Julia?
Get in your clean sheets, with Reverend Cheaten meet Reverend's pigmeat ?, and
Leave our her sins on the floor

verse 5

I love all my sistren [sic] and all my brethren

[Johnm]

Thanks for the suggestions, Blues Vintage. I agree that it is Reverend Eaton throughout. In verse two, I'm sticking with "gon'" rather than "can"--it's a hard "g" sound at the front end, not a hard "c" sound. "Deacon Julia" is right on, and I think the verse's implication is that she is the Rev.'s pigmeat. I'll make these changes.

[Blues Vintage]

I hear "can" clear as day. But it's OK to disagree once in a while. To me anyway.


We already have a Lil Johnson thread, could be merged.

https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=2926.msg22500#msg22500

[Johnm]

Re-listening, I agree that it is "can". I'll make the change. I'll let the people read this as a separate thread for a few days before merging it.

[Benjamin L]

Dear Johnm and Blues Vintage,

thank you for the quick answers. I will check your notes very soon.
I am really excited how well this forum works.
I am looking forward to play and sing the song.

Thanks a lot.

Benjamin

[David Kaatz]

The only difference I hear from what you have now, John, is verse 4 line 3:

We'll holy-roll with it for our sisters and brothers and

Dave

[Johnm]

Re-listening, I agree with you, Dave. Thanks for the catch, and I will make the change.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I merged the recent thread on "Down At The Old Village Store" into the Lil Johnson Lyrics thread.
All best,
Johnm