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Sugar Babe was the first piece I learned, when I was a little boy about 13 years old. Reason I know this so good, I got a whippin' about it. Come out of the cotton-patch to get some water and I was up at the house playin' the git-tar and my mother come in; whopped me cause I didn't come back - I was playin' the git-tar. Yeah, I got a whippin' bout Sugar Babe - I never will forgit that one - Mance Lipscomb, from his biography

Author Topic: Blind Willie McTell lyrics  (Read 69730 times)

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Offline Johnm

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #240 on: September 05, 2018, 10:16:31 AM »
Thanks very much for the catch, Chris, you are certainly right.  I'm in a crazy lyric transcription jag for a couple of book projects I'm going to be doing, and I really appreciate the help.
All best,
John

Offline Johnm

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #241 on: January 22, 2019, 01:49:19 PM »
Hi all,
"Don't Forget It" can be found on "Blind Willie McTell--Last Session", originally issued on Prestige Bluesville.  Willie McTell accompanied himself out of E position in standard tuning on the song, but sounding in the key of G#, so he was tuned a full minor 6th low--that is low!  I think he must have strung his guitar very heavily, because it is not bottoming out or buzzing in the course of his rendition, despite being tuned so low.  He begins the first verse with a very long lyric break, 15 bars, the last of which has six beats, before finally resolving to his IV chord for the chorus of the song.  The other verses follow a more conventional format.  Here is "Don't Forget It":



INTRO

"Hello Central, give me 289, I wants to talk to that little angel of mine."
"Hello, Sugar Bunch, is this you?  Called you to find out what you're gonna do.
You left your daddy early in the Fall. Don't come back now, don't you come back at all.
I love you, sugar, I swear that's true. Don't want your papa, then the hell with you,
REFRAIN: And don't forget it.  Don't forget it.
Please answer, little angel, tell me what you're going to do."

"I hate to tell it on the telephone, done got tired of lingerin' all alone.
Days are lonesome and the nights get long, ain't had my right lovin' since you been gone,
REFRAIN: Don't forget it.  Don't forget it.
Please answer, hot mama, tell me what you're going to do."

"Sweet and slow, shake me, sugar mama 'til I don't wanta go
REFRAIN: And don't forget it.  Don't forget it.
Please answer, hot mama, tell me what you're going to do."

SOLO (Spoken: Play it)

"You got to put your arms around me like a circle 'round the sun.  Stop and think fast--I want my lovin' done.
Take time, sugar, to ease my misery.  Get right, talk, baby talk to me,
REFRAIN: Don't forget it.  Don't forget it.
Please answer, hot mama, tell me what you're going to do."

You know, this is about the last thing I got to say, hang up the receiver and be on your way.
Hurry home, woman, and love me with a thrill.  If you don't, some other woman will.
REFRAIN: And don't forget it.  Don't forget it.
Please answer, pretty mama, tell me what you're gong to do."

All best,
Johnm






« Last Edit: January 22, 2019, 04:29:41 PM by Johnm »

Offline Johnm

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #242 on: January 23, 2019, 12:23:28 PM »
Hi all,
Willie McTell played "Kill It Kid" on his last sessions out of G position in standard tuning, sounding at B, tuned around a minor 6th low, as he was for that entire session.  The song is a simple, VI7-II-V7-I progression, E7-A-D7-G, but Willie McTell's timing is anything but simple; it is quite asymmetrical, mostly because he is singing with spoken interjections, so that he gets this sort of "singer-and-peanut-gallery" effect rolled into one.  Here is McTell's "Last Session" version of "Kill It Kid":



SPOKEN:  "Kill It, Kid", that come from Miami.  I wrote that for a yankee, and we used to stay in New York.  We used to hang out there in the ser, servant quarters, you know?  And he come in there and he could drink more liquor than two men--and his son was the same way.  Say, what was his name?  Little man, his name was Josh Barbera (chuckle) his name was Josh Barbera.  He would come in there and all the rest of 'em would get to dancin', you know, and carryin' on fun, and he'd holler, "Kill it, kid!", and that's the way I started that song.  Well, I'll play it.

INTRO SOLO

Down in Miami on Second Avenue, men showin' boys and gals what they can do about
Kill it, kid.  Hot mama, let's kill it, kid

Down on the Avenue, Canfield Hall, you find Kelly is the King of the Ball, (Spoken: Take it easy)
You got to teach 'em how to kill it, kid

You know, Sister Kate took brother Moe, bounced him around across the floor, tryin' to
Kill it, kid.  Tryin' to teach him how to kill it, kid

Set down, gal, take a drink of this pint, Kelly be here directly, to kick the joint, he gonna
Kill it, kid.  Take the floor and kill it kid

Set down, gal, take a shot of this pint, Kelly be here directly, to kick the joint, he gonna
Kill it, kid.  Take the floor and kill it, kid

But you can kick it in the country, won't cost you a dime, you get in town, Buddy, it's a forty dollar fine
Kill it, kid.  Get out of town to kill it, kid

Papa got a Cadillac, Mama got a Buick, Sister got mad because she wouldn't do it
Kill it, kid.  Hot mama, kill it, kid

She was shakin' the Cadillac, rockin' the Ford, do the right jumpin' on the runnin' board (Spoken: Rock hard!)
Don't jump, kill it, kid

I realize you're a little old, eleven years, not too old, gal, to shift them gears (Spoken: And on a wheel)
Quit turnin' and kill it, kid

You know, I'm crazy 'bout your lovin', a fool about you a lot. Don't come crazy 'bout the wobble you got (Spoken: quit switchin'!)
Don't shimmy!  Kill it, kid

Take that trip on the mountaintop, show these Florida women how to Eagle Rock (Spoken: Spread your wings!)
Don't flock!  Kill it, kid

You got to dodge your Ma, dodge your Pa, go to Florida and dodge this Georgia law, then you can kill it, kid
Down there, you can kill it, kid

Sit in the corner, gal, make some toddy, 'Cause we gon' get high and drunk everybody (Spoken: Then we're gonna kill it, kid)
Get loaded, kill it, kid

You don't believe I'll swing you right, take me to your castle, let's sing all night, 'round the table
Getting' mellow, let's kill it, kid

SOLO (Spoken:  Play it!)

Now you're gonna twist it like a tadpole, wobble like a frog, every time I kick it you'll holler, "Got dog!"
Kill it, kid.  Hot mama, let's --

Edited 1/23 to pick up corrections from Dave Kaatz
Edited 3/10 to pick up corrections from banjochris

All best,
Johnm

 
« Last Edit: December 18, 2019, 06:23:25 AM by Johnm »

Offline David Kaatz

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #243 on: January 23, 2019, 03:40:13 PM »
McTell recorded this a few times. I just listened to the version from Atlanta Twelve String and Last Session, the former closely tracks to the lyrics you posted.  No spoken intro though. A couple corrections, that I hear, based on both versions:

You know, I'm crazy 'bout your lovin', a fool about you a lotion't come your life, dog-gone crazy 'bout the wobble you got (Spoken: quit switchin'!)
Don't shimmy!  Kill it, kid

Take that triple and modern trip on the mountain top, show these Florida women how to Eagle Rock (Spoken: Spread your wings!)
Don't flock fly!  Kill it, kid

I don't know about "fly", on one version it sounds like "fly", the other it sounds more like "flock". To me fly makes more sense.

Also, on YouTube there is a version posted with a picture of the Last Session album, but the version is from Atlanta Twelve String.  I found the entire Last Session album on YouTube and listened to it that way.
https://youtu.be/pvcl3_DHJI0?t=526

Offline Johnm

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #244 on: January 23, 2019, 03:56:29 PM »
Thanks for the help, Dave.  I typed that in really fast when I had to go somewhere soon and I have a spellcheck on my computer that does some really odd things, like "lotion't".  I am hearing "flock" rather than "fly" on this version, and not hearing "doggone".  I made corrections with the rest off what you suggested.  I also edited in the version I transcribed, from McTell's "Last Session".  Thanks!
All best,
Johnm

Offline Johnm

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #245 on: February 24, 2019, 11:26:31 AM »
Hi all,
Willie McTell recorded "Murderer's Home Blues" for the Library of Congress in 1940, I believe, accompanying himself out of D position in dropped-D tuning.  Incidentally, kudos to banjochris and Frank Basile for the Blind Willie McTell Keys and Positions in the Musicianship section of Weeniepedia.  It was really yeoman's work, great work, made all the trickier in as much as Willie McTell started playing with an octave B string in addition to his octave G string some time around 1940 or a bit earlier, making playing position identifications considerably more difficult than they would have been had he not employed that tuning scheme.  Here is "Murderer's Home Blues":



INTRO

I did all I could, baby, satisfy your mind, when I wake up every mornin', you got me moanin' and cryin'
REFRAIN: Tryin' to send me to the chain gang, back to the murderer's home
I'd've been in a better shape, mama, if I let that reckless woman alone

Now I'll have to give you my number, 4-11-44, I'll be there forever, I ain't got nowheres else to go
REFRAIN: Well, I've got to go to the chain gang, back to the murderer's home
I'd've been in a better shape, mama, if I'd a-left that reckless woman alone

Even the mean old judge, wouldn't give me no fine, only thing gonna relieve me is old Father Time
REFRAIN: I got to go to the chain gang, back to the murderer's home
I would've been in a better shape, mama, if I'd a-left that reckless woman alone

When I was down in the alley, mama, drinkin' that old mean booze and gin, say, "You gotta do your runnin' around, I told you, ain't never gonna do it again."
REFRAIN: 'Cause it leads me straight to the chain gang, down to the murderer's home
I'd've been in a better shape, mama, if I'd a-let that reckless woman alone

Goodbye, everybody, here come the jailer with the key, fare thee well to freedom, I don't want no one to pity me
REFRAIN: I'm goin' to the chain gang, down to the murderer's home
I'd've been in a better shape, mama, if I'd've left that reckless woman alone

So now bye-bye, all you women, this is the last I got to say, says I'm goin' on and make my time, I'll be a free man someday
REFRAIN: But I ain't goin' back to the chain gang, back to the murderer's home
But I would've been in a better shape, baby, if I'd a-let that reckless woman alone

All best,
Johnm
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 05:59:26 PM by Johnm »

Offline Johnm

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #246 on: February 25, 2019, 01:18:35 PM »
Hi all,
Another really strong performance by Willie McTell from the Library of Congress sessions in 1940 is "Chainey", for which he accompanied himself out of Vestapol tuning.  The song has a unique 8-bar form with a refrain which he repeats in his intro solo.  Here is "Chainey":



INTRO SOLO

Chainey, Chainey, she dead and gone, left me here to carry this good time on
Lawd, Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody rock like Chainey do

Chainey, Chainey, she's angel above, nobody like her, like the girl I love, oh
Lawd, Lawd, Lawd, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody love me like Chainey do

Chainey, Chainey, the poor girl's dead, look over on the pillow where she laid her head
Lawd, Lawd, Lawd, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody love me like Chainey do

Chainey, Chainey, she left me here, nothing more that I'll have to fear, but it's
Lawd, Lawd, Lawd, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody love me like Chainey do

The poor girl's dead, ain't it sad?  She left me here, now, ain't it sad?  So
Lawd, Lawd, Lawd, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody loves me like Chainey do

Chainey, Chainey, the poor girl, she's gone, left me here, now, to weep and moan, oh
Lawd, Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody love me like Chainey do

SOLO

Chainey, Chainey, she's gone down, nobody here now, to take me around, oh
Lawd, Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody love me like Chainey do

SOLO

I even loved her in the Summer, also in the Fall, nobody else, she's my all-in-all, oh
Lawd, Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody love me like Chainey do

Chainey, Chainey, the poor girl's dead, go look on the pillow where she laid her head, oh
Lawd, Lawdy, Lawdy Lawd, nobody love me like Chainey do

SOLO

She went and left me this afternoon, let's go look in the poor girl's room, oh
Lawd, Lawdy, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody love me like Chainey do

SOLO

Lawd, Lawdy, Lawd, nobody love me like ol' Chainey do

Edited 3/10 to pick up corrections from banjochris

All best,
Johnm

 



 
« Last Edit: March 10, 2019, 11:02:43 AM by Johnm »

Offline banjochris

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #247 on: March 08, 2019, 06:15:13 PM »
John, a few suggestions on "Kill It Kid":

2.1 Kelly IS the king of the ball

In 4&5 I think it?s KELLY (as in verse 2), not Killer.

6.1 BUDDY, it?s a forty dollar fine

11.1 Take that TRIP OUT on the mountaintop

14.1 YOU DON?T BELIEVE I?LL swing you right

And a couple on "Chainey":

4.1 Chainey, Chainey, she left me here, NOTHING MORE THAT I?LL HAVE TO FEAR, but it's

8.2 is ROCK instead of love

last verse sounds like: like OL? Chainey do


Chris
« Last Edit: March 08, 2019, 06:21:45 PM by banjochris »

Offline Johnm

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #248 on: March 10, 2019, 11:04:29 AM »
Thanks very much for the catches, Chris, I have incorporated your suggestions and made the changes here and in Weeniepedia.  Thanks!
All best,
John

Offline Johnm

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #249 on: December 17, 2019, 12:48:14 PM »
Hi all,
Willie McTell, working out of C position in standard tuning as per banjochris's "Blind Willie McTell's Playing Positions/Tunings", backed by Curley Weaver playing in G, did "Lay some Flowers On My Grave".  I had forgotten that Josh White also recorded this number.  Here it is, a cover of "Careless Love":



INTRO

You must lay some flowers on my grave
You must lay some flowers on my grave
My mother, father is gone, left me in this world alone
You must lay some flowers on my grave

My father was a road sport and a gambler, too
And he left me here, just singin' the blues
I hope my heart will change, I don't want to die the same
You must lay some flowers on my grave

Put a wreath of flowers at my right side
Then you know that McTell's satisfied
Put a bouquet in my breast, you know the poor boy's gone to rest
You must lay some flowers on my grave

Now when this old buildin' is falling down
Just lay me six feet in the cold, cold ground
Wrap me up in the solid clay, 'cause I come here to die one day
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

Put a morning glory at my head and feet
Then you know that McTell's gone to sleep
On my headboard write my name, I left a many gal's heart in pain
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

Now, have to snatch the pillow from under my head
Don't grieve and worry after the days I'm dead
When I bid you this last goodbye, don't none of you womens cry
You just lay some flowers on my grave

Now when, I'm gone to come no more
And the old pallbearers lay me low
When you hear that coffin sound, you know McTell is in the ground
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

Now when the poor boy's dead and gone
I'm left in this old world all alone
When you hear the church bell tone, you know McTell's dead and gone
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave

Edited 1/9 to pick up corrections from catyron

All best,
Johnm

« Last Edit: January 09, 2020, 08:08:50 AM by Johnm »

Offline catyron

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #250 on: January 09, 2020, 12:30:03 AM »
Beautiful -- THANK YOU.

I hear two lines a bit different than you do:

On my headboard write my name, *I left a many gal's heart in pain*

And *the* old pallbearers lay me low

« Last Edit: January 09, 2020, 07:53:38 PM by catyron »

Offline Johnm

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #251 on: January 09, 2020, 08:07:39 AM »
Thanks very much for the catches, catyron.  I re-listened and you're right in both instances.  I will make the corrections.  Thanks!
All best,
Johnm

Offline Blues Vintage

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #252 on: September 16, 2020, 03:35:41 AM »
Bell Street Lightnin'

Blind Willie McTell - Vocals, Guitar
Curley Weaver - Guitar

September 21, 1933
New York City





Live down in Bell Street Alley just as drunk as I can be
I’m down in Bell Street Alley just as drunk as I can be
Seem like them crow jane women man done got rough with me

She done drink so much that Bell Street whiskey they won't sell her no more
She done drink so much that Bell Street whiskey ‘til they won't sell that poor child no more
She got the bottles and labels laying all around her door

Now this Bell Street whiskey will make you sleep all in your clothes
This Bell Street whiskey will make you sleep all in your clothes
And when you wake up next morning feel like you have laid outdoors

You can get some booze down on Bell Street for two bits and a half a throw
Can get some booze down on Bell Street two bits and a half a throw
It'll make you cuss out a judge in the courthouse and break out the jailhouse door

Walked in my room the other night
Man come in he want to fight
Took my gun my right hand
Hold me people I don't wanna kill no man
When I said that he rapped me across my head
The first shot I fired then the man fell dead
I said Bell Street whiskey have drove me to the county jail
Got me laying up here on my old bunk got nobody to go my bail

« Last Edit: September 27, 2020, 06:37:04 AM by harry »

Offline taft

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #253 on: September 16, 2020, 04:02:05 AM »
I hear:

1:1 WELL down
2:1 HER, not here (typo)
2:3 She got the BOTTLES AND LABELS

Offline harriet

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Re: Blind Willie McTell lyrics
« Reply #254 on: September 16, 2020, 04:04:32 AM »
Maybe - I'm wrong half the time but anyway...

"She got the BOTTLES and LABELS  laying all around her door" - bottles is really compressed.

 


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