Ramblin' On My Mind


There’s some controversy which takes of Ramblin' On My Mind are take 1 and take 2.
According to “official data” this is take 2 issued as the master take, not the alternate take on The Complete Recordings (2011, Stephen LaVere).

Stefan Wirz has it listed as Take 1.

To make it even more confusing,

Note also that although we accepted the view of specialist Robert Johnson discographers that most of the takes originally issued were used indiscriminately on all the 78 RPM issues, and have no definite evidence to the contrary, our considered judgement is that this is unlikely to be the case (Blues and Gospel Records).


Robert Johnson – Guitar, Vocals

San Antonio, Texas
November 23, 1936

Vestapol Tuning





INTRO

I got ramblin', I got ramblin' on my mind
I got ramblin', I got ramblin' all on my mind
Hate to leave my baby, but you treats me so unkind

Hey now, babe, I will never forgive you anymore
Little girl, little girl, I will never forgive you anymore
You know, you did not want me, baby, why didn’t you tell me so

And I’m runnin' down to the station, catch that first mail train I see (Spoken: I hear her coming now)
I’m runnin' down to the station, catch that old first mail train I see
I got the blues ‘bout Miss So-and-So, and the child got the blues about me

{And they tell me}, she got devilment on her mind
She got devilment, little girl, you got devilment all on your mind
Now, I’m got to leave this mornin’, with my arms fold up and cryin’

I believe, I believe my time ain’t long
I believe, I believe that my time ain’t long
But I’m leavin’ this mornin’, I believe I will go back home

Hi all,
Big Maceo recorded "Bye, Bye, Baby" in Chicago on December 14, 1941, backed by Tampa Red and an almost inaudible Alfred Elkins on imitation bass, accompanying himself on piano in B flat. Here is "Bye, Bye, Baby":



INTRO

My baby treat me so mean, I don't know right from wrong
My baby treat me so mean, I don't know right from wrong
I'm here today, but tomorrow I may be gone

I have so much trouble, until I don't know what to do
I have so much trouble, until I don't know what to do
The way you treat me, baby, is coming home to you

Because I'm dogged around, baby, and driven from door to door
Yea-eah, baby, and driven from door to door
But I raise my hand, I won't be dogged no more (Spoken: Now boy, let's get that thing!)

SOLO

So goodbye, baby, yes, I'm leavin' now
So bye-bye, baby, babe, I am leavin' now
Because you don't mean, me no good nohow

CODA

All best,
Johnm

Found this tune thanks to the Weenie YouTube channel, thanks
Playing almost everything with the thumb is a challenge

Hi all,
Big Maceo recorded "Why Should I Hang Around?" at a session in Chicago on December 19, 1941 for which he was joined by Tampa Red on guitar and Alfred Elkins on imitation bass. Big Maceo accompanied himself in Bb and Tampa Red sounds as though he was accompanying him out of G position in standard tuning, capoed up. As usual, Big Maceo's singing is just great. Here is "Why Should I Hang Around?":



INTRO

I just don't know, what's this all about? (Spoken: What is it all about, boys?)
I just don't know, what's this all, all about?
The woman I love, is trying to put me out

She says she didn't want me, why should I hang around?
Hey-ey, why should I hang around?
And that if I hang around, I would be jailhouse bound

I love that woman, more than she will ever know (Spoken: Yes, I love her!)
Hey-ey baby, more than you will ever know
But if you drive me away, I won't be back no more

I stole that woman, stole her from my best friend
Yeah-eah, see-ee from my best friend
But that old fool's so darn lucky, he's 'bout to get her back again

CODA

All best,
Johnm