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Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: wildcotton on November 08, 2004, 04:39:40 AM
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I know this isn't as obscure as a lot of the lyrics that go up here, but I've had trouble finding these for some reason. Maybe I should just break down and get the Mance CD that has it, but does anybody have the lyrics to Rocks and Gravel (besides the Dylan version--that's all that shows up on my searches)? I've got the guitar part worked out from Steve James' version. I know I should get the original, but right now it's a great song, and I need it in my repertoire!
https://youtu.be/1LK7Btbb8ws
Jeff
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Hi Jeff,
Here you go:
Rocks and Gravel? Mance Lipscomb
Standard E
V1 Rocks and Gravel makes a solid road (x2)
Takes a do-right woman to satisfy my soul
V2 Well, I'm goin' out west just ta see my pony run
Goin out west to see my pony run
If I win any money I'm gon' send my good girl some
V3 Here's a dollar mama, made it in the rain (x2)
It's a hard ol' dollar made it just the same
V4 That's your tone daddy, every time you come (x2)
I ain't got no money but I'll soon have some
V5 Man in the army, wants a furlough home (x2)
About face rookie, you ain't been here long
V6 Man in the army eatin' out of trough (x2)
Just waitin' for Uncle Sam to try and pay him off
V7 Got a girl in the country, she won't come to town (x2)
Got one in Louisiana and she's water bound
V8 I can't see how can you, treat your daddy mean (x2)
When you lay all night in your daddy's arms and dream
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Thanks, Slack!
Jeff
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Hi JohnD and Cotton,
I think the line in that last verse is, "When you lay all night in your daddy's arms and dream". I feel like we figured this out once before. I remember being excited about getting the line, "About face, rookie". I had never understood that line despite listening to the song for 35 plus years.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi John, yes, we did do this before -- and I obviously did not update my file! --- which I am doing forthwith -- and will also correct the above psoted lyrics. Thanks for the correction (again).
Funny how the ear can play tricks (or is it the mind?) on you --- you can hear it plain as day, once you know the words! ;)
cheers,
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Mance was such a wonderful singer and player. I have been working on his stuff a bit, and found very few lyrics on the net. So let's use this space for his stuff!
cheers
BERT
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Tried to figure this out from the Mance Lipscomb -In Concert DVD on VESTAPOL
corrections appreciated!
https://youtu.be/kuD_ayMRR60
Silver City - Mance Lipscomb
I?m on my way, I?m on my way
I?m on my way back to Silver City now
Well i?m going back (to) Silver city now.
Got up this morning I was feeling bad
Woke up this morning I was feeling bad
Thinking ?bout the good times I once have had
Poor girl is cripple but she do go clean
Poor girl is cripple but she do go clean
People all call her Mary Magdalene.
You hurt my feelings little in the wrong
You hurt my feelings babe, little in the wrong
Excuse me daddy, I didn?t mean now harm
See me coming hike your windoww high
You see me coming hike your windoww high
Here come my Daddy think he wants to ride.
Yes I?m going back to Silver City now
I?m going back to Silver City now
Yeah I?m going back to Silver City now.
Don?t want me just tell me so
If you don?t want me just tell me so
You won?t be bothered with me no more.
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Hiya Bert,
Good idea. One of the things I notice about Mance is he has a lot of verses. Given that he also has a lot of songs, that a lot of words floating around in his head. Don't know how some of these guys do it.
Silver City is a favourite Mance Lipscomb tune of mine. Here's the version from the You Got To Reap What You Sow disc (Arhoolie CD 398). I have a few spots I'm not sure of, including a line from a verse that appears in the version you transcribe above. Note that this version has more verses, different versions of verses. Interesting that he would just change lyrics, singing them as they came to him, drop verses, add verses etc. A true songster.
Silver City - Mance Lipscomb
Well I?m on my way, yes, I?m on my way
Lord, I?m on my way, babe, to Silver City now
Yes I?m going back to Silver City now.
Got up this morning, I was feeling blue
I woke up this morning, Lord, a-feeling blue
I didn?t have no one to tell my troubles to.
You can tell all your high browns that you [see but one?] *
You can tell all your high browns that you [see but one?]*
Well I?m going back to Houston to have my washing done
Oh the poor girl is cripple but she do go clean
Oh the poor girl is cripple but she do go clean
And the people all call her Mary Magdalene.
Tell my baby, tell her this for me
If you see my baby, tell her this for me
Well I done got lucky found a money tree
If I had money like the leaves grows on trees
If I had money like the leaves grows on trees
Get any woman I want, work when I please
Well you hurt my feelings [a little in the wrong]**
Yes you hurt my feelings, babe, little in the wrong
Excuse me, babe, I didn?t mean no harm
If you see me coming hoist your windows high
If you see me coming hoist your windows high
Yonder come my daddy and he wants to ride.
Yes I?m on my way, yes I?m on my way
Yes I?m on way back to Silver City now
I?m going back to Silver City now.
Got up this morning, looked down the road
Got up this morning, looked down the road
Thought about my baby, wonder where did she go
* not sure of the lyric here. Could the word "Seabird", as in the juke box, be being used here?
** not sure of "a little in the wrong" and wondering if it is perhaps a name being sung here as in "little INSERT NAME"
Mance pronounces "hoist" as "heist" in the third to last verse. I suspect it is the same in the concert version.
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Hi Bud
thanks for the nice set of lyrics. I don't have that record, so it was exciting to see more lyrics!
Will be posting more of Mance in the future. Just have to get time to transcribe!
That southern dialect that a lot of singers have, like Son House especially, sounds like some sort of New York kind of accent at times to me. Like you mentioned hoist as "heist". Like burst would be "BOYST". Interesting. Son was from Mississippi, but Mance was from Texas. Any ideas about where this pronunciation comes from or if it still exists? I am originally from New hampshire, but having lived in Sweden for 32 years, I am isolated from southern US dialects!
cheers
BERT
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Hi Bert - No idea where it comes from or if it still exists. My guiding principle in deciphering some of these lyrics comes from Weenie member Frankie:
I occasionally have to relate to these things by imagining how Yosemite Sam might have said them.
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Any ideas about where this pronunciation comes from or if it still exists?
You're entering the realm of historical phonology. I'm sure that there's a lot written--and recorded--on North American pronunciation. A good intro book on theory will give you the basics as to the reasons why.
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Hey MB:
Thank you so much for posting "Silver City". It has clears up a 20+ year old mystery for me.
It's the summer of 1983, and me and my girl are strolling along a mall-like conecting street between Rue St. Lawrence and Rue St. Denis in Montreal, Que. (the home of Unkie Bud, and a beautiful city) about 1:30 AM on a Saturday night, Sitting on a concrete bench is a young guy, dressed up and wearing a fedora, playing an acoustic guitar and singing a blues about Silver City. That was one of the seminal moments that turned me on to CB.
Thanks for the memories. Now that I know where to find it, I'll have to learn the tune.
Alex
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Hi all,
I have always loved Mance's performance of "Silver City Bound" on the old "Mance Lipscomb, Vol. 2" on Arhoolie, and for what it's worth, I think you have the lyrics exactly right in the places you have question marks, Uncle Bud. I have always taken the line, "You can tell all your high browns that you see but one" as meaning "You can tell every one of your girlfriends that she's your only girlfriend." And I think the verse beginning, "You hurt my feelings, a little in the wrong" makes sense if you think of that line as being his girlfriend talking and ""Scuse me, babe, I didn't mean no harm" as being Mance's response.
All best,
Johnm
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I've been working on Mance's You Got To Reap What You Sow, from the Arhoolie album of the same name. I did a search and didn't find any lyrics for this, so I took a shot at it myself. Here is my best guess, with somewhat questionable passages in brackets:
https://youtu.be/7QWYpTJob4c
YOU GOT TO REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Honey, after all I did for you,
You told me baby, that you were through
You got to reap just what you sow
[Ya?ll my money you left me cold in hand]
Takin? my money give it to your other man
You got to reap just what you sow
Break
Cried all last night and the night before
[Change the way I?m living], ain?t gonna cry no more
You got to reap just what you sow
When you quit me you didn?t even shake my hand
That?s alright, you?re gonna understand
You got to reap just what you sow
Break
All I ever did for you
You say [it, baby, you are through]
You got to reap just what you sow
Break
Goodbye, I hate to see you go
I might not never see you no more
You got to reap just what you sow
I'd appreciate any thoughts on those "hard to hear" passages.
Thanks.
Mike
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Great thread...I will be adding lyrics hears as I can find the time...
Silver city seems right to me...I agree with JohnM that ya'll picked up the fuzzy verses right.
Last time I Paul Germia he talked about how he stumbled across Silver City texas on a road trip once...its a crossroads outside of Dallas that used to have a road house and a few brothels etc. Apparnetly this was a place that Blind Lemon and his friends loved to play and have a great time...I understand that Mance learned this tune from Lemon.
Mike,
You gotta reap looks right to me as well...I always sing the first line of the 2nd verse as "you took all my money, left me cold in hand"...this is a great song and a lot of fun to play
Cheers,
Chris
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And as long as we're talking Mance lyrics, here's another one I've been working on. The second line in the second verse is a real stumper! Any additions, corrections appreciated.
https://youtu.be/w08uQa7bFXo
NIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME
Listen here baby, what I?m gonna say to you
I want you to know baby, I got the bye bye blues
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love
When you?re out late at night, baby [I can?t rest]
[Baby I ???? like honey, ????? ]
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love
BREAK
Grab my hat this morning, she followed me to the door
She says come back daddy, you don?t have to go
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love, with the one you love
Cried last night, cried the whole night long
Cried last night, I cried the whole night long
I didn?t miss my loved one until she had gone
BREAK
Ya ain?t gonna miss your water, ?til your well go dry
Ain?t gonna miss your loved one until she say goodbye
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love, with the one you love
BREAK
Don?t the moon look pretty shining on through the tree
I can see my [loved one] when she don?t see me
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love, with the one you love
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Hi Bluesmiked
This is what I get for the 2nd chorus ( from the reprise Trouble in Mind CD):
"When you're out late at night, Baby, you know I can't rest.
You know, food I eat, Honey, Baby it won't digest..."
But since I'm not a native English speaker, let's hope someone who is, will confirm or correct :)
Cheers
Pan
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Pan -- close enough. On the "Trouble in Mind" CD it's "Even the food I eat honey, baby won't digest."
Also, one other verse he sings occasionally on "Night Time" is
When a man take the blues, catch some train and ride,
But when a woman take the blues, she hangs her head and cry,
Night time...
Along with the verses already transcribed, I think that's pretty much all of 'em.
And Mike, "loved one" is right in that last verse.
In "Silver City Bound," I always thought that "You can tell all your high browns that you see but one" line (which you did transcribe correctly, Mike), coupled with the line about going to Houston, meant that he was telling his friends that they could tell all the women around that he'd gone back to Houston, except his girlfriend, who he didn't want to know where he was going.
Chris
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Here is another Mance great, Ella Speed. Nothing too difficult on this one, I don't think, but I thought I'd post it for anyone interested anyway:
https://youtu.be/MJvC8-Jp_Qs
ELLA SPEED
Well the first time I shot Ella
I shot her through the side
Second time I could not tell where
But the third time I shot her
I shot her through the head
You know that shot musta killed poor Ella dead
When they all got the news
That Ella speed was dead
They goes home and dresses up in red
There was two white horses
Side in side
Gonna take Ella for a last flowery ride
Ella ?fore she died
Last words she said
Tell my sisters please don?t do like me
That?s fall in love
With everyone
With every one that you see
One of these mornings
While you?re having fun
Somebody gonna do like Ella done
Now Ella she went out
Just to have some fun
She got shot down with with Colt 41
Well they shot Ella once
Didn?t shoot her no more
She staggered cross the ballroom floor
Ain?t it hard
Man, but it?s true
You can love someone don?t love you
BREAK
Well the last words
I heard Ella say
Tell my sisters don?t do like me
That is fall in love
With everyone
With everyone that you see
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Here is another Mance great, Ella Speed. Nothing too difficult on this one, I don't think, but I thought I'd post it for anyone interested anyway:
John Cowley and John Garst wrote an interesting article about the true story "Behind The Song Ella Speed" which was published in Sing Out during 2001. If I can find where I've stored that particular issue I'll scan and post to the main forum.
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I'd love to hear the story behind "Ella Speed." Thanks.
Mike
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Hey Mike,
Bunker already posted ;)
http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=114&topic=3584.msg27172#msg27172
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Hi all,
Mance Lipscomb's recording of "Tell Me Where You Stay Last Night" first appeared on "Mance Lipscomb, Texas Sharecropper and Songster, Vol. 3", on Arhoolie, an album that was recorded live at a no-longer-extant Berkeley club, The Cabale. Without looking at the list of keys and positions for Mance Lipscomb that banjochris compiled, it is the only song of Mance's that I can think of that he used dropped-D tuning to play in D rather than A. It is a wonderful piece with an epic quality, one of the greatest ever in dropped-D.
https://youtu.be/amgEp0tPMBs
SOLO
Mama, tell me baby, where you stay last night?
Mama, tell me, baby, where you stayed last night?
With your hairs down, clothes ain't fittin' you right
I lay down laughin', people, and I woke up cryin'
Lay down laughin', people, and I woke up cryin'
Well, the woman I love, can't get her off my mind
SOLO
Ever wake up in the mornin', found your baby gone?
Ever wake up in the mornin' and find your baby gone?
Found no woman at your side, had to sing this lonesome song
"Come back, baby, won't do wrong no more
Come back, baby, I won't do wrong no more
I'll take you with me, baby, the very next time I go"
SOLO
All best,
Johnm
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There might be one or two others, John -- "Louise" is the only one that comes to mind off hand. His playing is so great in drop-D key of D it's a shame he didn't do more in that position. Also, "Tell Me Where" is one of a few tunes he recorded in more than one key -- it's in E on the Mance Vol. 5 CD (Vol. 6 on LP, IIRC).
Chris
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I'm slipping back into the depths of my Mance Addiction and was just grooving to this tune in my car today...one of my favorites. I'm a big fan of almost all his tunes in Drop-D...I've been working through Cherry Ball and Goin' Down slow for the last week or so after negeleting them for quite awhile and they have inspired me to to figure out a few of the licks and breaks from Angel Child...which to my ear appears to be very similiar to Goin down slow.....Great fun!
Blue
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Sorry to dredge up such an old thread but I've been discussing Mance Lyrics with another member offline and thought I would post these versions that I wrote up....didn't see any reason to start a whole new thread. I hope to get more up soon. Any feed back or corrections greatly appreciated.
https://youtu.be/8hXj--kuxMg
Goin? Down Slow
1. I done had my fun if I don?t get well no more x2
My health is failin? me, and lord I?m goin? down slow
2. I want you to write my mother tell her the shape I?m in x2
Tell her to pray for me, forgiveness for my sin
3. Mama don?t send no doctor, (cause) he can?t do no good x2
Its all my fault now mama, I didn?t do the things I should
4. Next train south mama look for my clothes on x2
You don?t see my body all you can do is moan
5. Mama Don?t you worry, cause this is all in my prayer x2
They say your son is dead out in this world somewhere
Captain Captain,
1. I asked my captain, what time of day x2
He just looked at his watch and then he walked away
2. I wouldn?t mind workin?, captain from sun to sun x2
If you pay me my money when pay day come
3. I told my Captain that old Maude was dead
Well I told my captain that old Maude the mule was dead
Never mind Maude, put the harness on Ned
4. I went around that whole corral x2
Yes I went around man that whole corral
And I couldn?t find a mule with his shoulder well
5. Six months ain?t long two years ain?t no great long time x2
I?ve got a friend in penitention (penitentiary) doing ninety nine.
6. You oughta been down on the river in the year 19 and 10 x2
Women wore the ball and chain just like the men.
Btw?Verse 4 took me forever to figure out what he was saying so I have come up with my own version?which has stuck in my head? it goes like this:
Alt 4. I?ve been all around during my whole long career x2
That?s why I ask myself ?how did I end up here?
Not original but I think it works?I?ve had to do this with a couple of the Mance Songs I play because some of his language in impenetrable to me.
Cheers,
Blue
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Hi Blue,
Don't feel bad about reviving the thread--that warning is just part of the site software. Feel free to disregard it if you want to post in a thread that no one has posted in for the past 120 days. It's much better to have all lyric transcriptions of a particular performer in the same thread, so you done good.
Just from memory, the change in the lyrics you've posted that I've heard is in the opening line of verse four of "Goin' Down Slow". I believe it is:
Next train south, look for my clothes home
I've also heard it sung as:
Next train south, look for my clothes to come home
The singer is sending his clothes home because he will no longer need them.
All best,
Johnm
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:) :) :)
Thanks John...
I had meant to write "Clothes" for verse 4...not "close"...haha...I've changed it above as well...thanks for your feedback.
Blue
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Mance's "Blues in G" and "Texas Blues" share the same music and many of the same lyrics. Here they are as I hear then from His recorded albums and a live performance.
https://youtu.be/SEBYgSTEs8k
Blues in G from Texas Songster
1. Walked all night long with my pistol in my hand. x2
When I found my woman she was with some other man.
2. Shot that woman, man I thought she?d die. x2
Yeah I hit her across the head, know?d I blacked her eye.
3. It?s a low down, low down dirty shame. x2
Have a half bad woman and you scared to call her name.
4. My babe done quite me put all my clothes outdoors.
My Woman done quite throw?d all my clothes out the do? (door).
That?s all right mama you gonna reap just what you sow.
5. Late Last winter when it was chillin? cold. x2
My woman put me out didn?t have nowhere to go.
6. I didn?t have no money, my shoes had done worn thin. x2
I didn?t have a decent pair of pants to go to Sunday school in.
7. That?s alright things about to come my way. x2
Got change in my pocket, change of clothes every day.
Texas Blues from Texas Songster 4
1. I was raised in Texas, schooled in Tennessee. x2
I won?t let you woman make a fool out of me.
2. Late Last winter when it was chillin? cold. x2
My woman put me out didn?t have nowhere to go.
3. I didn?t have no money, my shoes had done worn thin. x2
I didn?t have a decent pair of pants to go to Sunday school in.
4. That?s alright things about to come my way. x2
Got change in my pocket, change of clothes every day.
5. Take me back baby I?ll tell you what I?ll do. x2
I?ll steal and beg, baby bring it home to you.
6. She looks and me, she give me one sweet smile. x2
I?ll take you back for your low down dirty lie.
7. Oooh-eee I feel alright today. x2
My woman come back says she?s going to stay.
8. One of these days baby and it won?t be long. x2
You gonna call me baby, yes and I?ll be gone.
9. Mama told me when I was a child. x2
Son Whiskey and women gonna kill you after awhile.
10. Good bye (baby) if I don?t see you no more. x2
Remember my footprints tramping around your door.
Ash Grove 6-26-1967
1. When I had plenty of Money my friends would gang around. x2
No I ain?t got no money and I friends done turned me down.
2. If I ever get lucky, Lord in this World again. x2
I ain?t gonna fool with no more women and, Lord, mighty few men.
3. Eased to the window (this mornin?) thought I heard my baby snore. x2
Made me feel like creeping through the key hole of the door.
4. If you don?t want me baby, don?t you dog me around. x2
Just like you found me why don?t you put me down.
5. I believe (baby) that someone been talkin? to you. x2
I don?t need no tellin why you do what you do (? Unclear).
6. One of these days I?m gonna show how nice a man can be x2
I?ll buy you a brand new Cadallic if you say one word to me.
7. Got up this mornin? Lord I was feelin? blue. x2
Didn?t have no woman to tell my troubles too.
Cheers,
Blue
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Here's what I hear!
Blues in G from Texas Songster
1. Walked all night long with my pistol in my hand. x2
When I found my woman she was with some other man.
2. Shot that woman, man I thought she?d die. x2
Yeah, I hit her across the head, know'd I blacked her eye.
3. It?s a low down, low down dirty shame. x2
Have a half bad woman and you scared to call her name.
4. My babe done quite me, put all my clothes outdoors.
My Woman done quite throw?d all my clothes out the do? (door).
That?s all right, mama, you gonna reap just what you sow.
5. Late Last winter when it was chilly and cold. x2
My woman put me out didn?t have nowhere to go.
6. I didn?t have no money, my shoes had done worn thin. x2
I didn?t have a decent pair of pants to go to Sunday school in.
7. That?s all right, things about to come my way. x2
Got change in my pocket, change of clothes every day
I changed "chillin' cold" to "chilly and cold" and "scarred" to "scared".
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Two questions for you native speakers that I've kept pondering on for months. There is this awesome (Lightnin Hopkins-style or perhaps actually Lighthin Hopkins-) tune on Lipscomb's "Live at the Cabale"-album called "I wonder Why" on which Mance sings something that is kind of hard to understand for me as a foreigner:
1. [*two kind of nations?] or maybe ["one combination"?] I can't stand .. a two faced woman and some monkeyman" - ? It sounds more like the former to me but then I'm a little confused about the meaning of the word "nation" in this context. Merely a colloquial synonym for "folks" or "people"?
2. And what exactly does he mean by "monkeyman"? Is it just a derogatory term (for the man that his woman betrays him with, as I understand it) or does it carry a more specific meaning? I was just stumbling on that word when listening to a Travellin' Wilburys-LP recently where there is talk of Tweeter and the monkeyman.
Thank for all help in advance!
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I hear "two kind of nations" as well -- I've never heard "nation" used in this context, by Mance or anyone else, but I would assume he does mean "people." It is just possible he's saying "two combinations" but pronouncing the word pretty oddly.
And monkey man usually does mean the man who's being cuckolded -- the man some other man is making a monkey out of. I think sometimes there may be an intra-black racist component to it as well.
Chris
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Thank you very kindly, Chris. I think you are right: In referring to a monkey man he is referring to himself, meaning: a two-faced woman and an idiot or fool as I am.
And a two-faced woman and a monkey man would only be "one" combination but I listened again and mean to hear him say "two" very clearly now. Although the use of a plural might be explainable as some slang variant, my best guess remains "two kind of nations" as well.
Anyhow, a great tune. Mance renders another wonderful live interpretation of this song on the radioshow that can be listened to archives.org.
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I'm trying to work out the lyrics for "Evil Blues" right now.
This is what I've got so far (lyrics I'm unsure of are in italics).
https://youtu.be/uyN1_9oNNwY
Mance Lipscomb - Evil Blues
My man stood in evil, you'd be evil too.
Yes, my baby, you'd be evil too
My man stood in evil, you'd be evil too
Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
Now you brought me to this daddy, then you done left town
Yeah, you brought me to this, then you done left town
Yeah you brought me to this daddy, now you done left town
Stayed with me till you drug me down
That's why I'm evil, you'd be evil too
Yes I'm evil, you'd be evil too
Yes I'm evil, you'd be evil too
My gal done quit me, don't know what to do
Standin' here looking one thousand miles away
Standing here looking one thousand miles away
Standing here looking one thousand miles away
My daddy left me, and I'm got to stay
I'm evil, you'd be evil too
Yes I'm evil, you'd be evil too
Yes I'm evil, you'd be evil too
Sometimes I wonder what in the world I'm gonna do
(Guitar Break)
Standin' here looking one thousand miles away
I'm standing here looking one thousand miles away
Standing here looking one thousand miles away
My daddy left me, and I'm got to stay
My man stood in evil, you'd be evil too
My man stood in evil, you'd be evil too
My man stood in evil, you'd be evil too
Sometimes I wonder what I'm gonna do
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That would be "studyin' evil". Brooks Berry (backed by Scrapper Blackwell) sings a tune called My Man Is Studyin' Evil, that uses the same first verse, at least. Quite a tune too, clocking in at 6:15 with lots of soloing from Scrapper. I have always thought Mance was covering a female classic blues singer on this one, like he did with Bessie Smith for Haunted House Blues, but I can't put my finger on a tune.
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That would be "studyin' evil". Brooks Berry (backed by Scrapper Blackwell) sings a tune called My Man Is Studyin' Evil, that uses the same first verse, at least. Quite a tune too, clocking in at 6:15 with lots of soloing from Scrapper. I have always thought Mance was covering a female classic blues singer on this one, like he did with Bessie Smith for Haunted House Blues, but I can't put my finger on a tune.
Thanks a bunch. Any idea what is meant by studying evil? If a woman said that her man was studyin' evil, what exactly would that mean?
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Thanks a bunch. Any idea what is meant by studying evil? If a woman said that her man was studyin' evil, what exactly would that mean?
Contemplating doing something evil -- evil is on his mind. Some variation of that.
Also worth pointing out that musically, if not lyrically, this tune is remarkably similar to Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Wartime Blues."
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just to say thank you guys ! your forum helps me a lot when i doubt on some lyrics...
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Glad the forum is a help and welcome to WC.
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Hello everybody, great forum! I'm French and I have work the guitar parts on Blues In The Bottle by Mance Lipscomb, But I have problems with the lyrics, Does anybody have the lyrics to this song (Mance Lipscomb version)
https://youtu.be/kr-UB7ZWbqM
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Hope this helps:
Blues in the Bottle:
Blues in the bottle, blues in the bottle, stopper in my hand, doggone you,
Blues in the bottle, stopper in my hand,
Now if you want to be my woman, you got to come under my command.
You couldn't stand it, you couldn't stand it, oughta stayed at home doggone you,
You couldn't stand it, you oughta stayed at home
Pick up chips for your grandma, work on your grandpa's farm.
Ah, baby, oh baby, where did you stay last night, doggone you,
Tell me baby, where did you stay last night
You never come home this morning till the sun was shinin' bright.
She say daddy, looka here daddy, don't you raise no sand, doggone you,
Looka here daddy, don't you raise no sand,
I don't ask you 'bout no woman, don't you ask me 'bout my man.
(If) I had my pistol, I had my pistol, you down in the woods, pretty mama,
If I had my pistol, mama in the woods,
I'd shoot you up so bad, you couldn't do your man no good.
Jog on the rabbit, jog up the rabbit, run him one solid mile, oh lord,
Jog up the rabbit, run him a solid mile,
Know that rabbit got down, cried like a child.
Don't come tomorrow, don't come tomorrow, next day'll be my goal, doggone gal,
Don't come tomorrow, next day'll be my goal,
I'm goin' up the road, say 'bout a mile or so.
Blues in the bottle, blues in the bottle, stopper in my hand, doggone you,
Blues in the bottle, stopper in my hand,
Now if you want to be my woman, you got to come under my command.
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Thanks Banjochris, It's very kind of you! Sure this will help me a lot.
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Stumbled into this one messing around with blues in A this morning, grabbed the lyrics so here they are. Mance is tuned up half a step, sounding just shy of B flat.
Probably deserves a mention in the 'Great covers' thread, but I don't have the Shirley Griffiths, Buddy Moss or any other acoustic version with which to compare.
I really like the way the guitar melody line follows the vocal on this tune. Mance has such a great touch on his Harmony Sovereign, particularly the monotonic thumb bass, treble lines. I believe he 'implies' the change to the V by staying on the A chord and fretting the E at the 5th fret, second string. Nice.
[edit: I just noticed the "don't you raise no sand" verse also appears in Chris's transcription of Blues In The Bottle, above]
https://youtu.be/Rs5aTrRb3-c
Meet Me In The Bottom, from Arhoolie 'Live At The Cabale'
[instrumental first verse]
Won't you meet me in the bottom, bring my boots and shoes, lawdy mama, great God almighty
Meet me in the bottom, with my boots and shoes
My baby done quit me, left me with the high water blues
The woman I love, she twenty-five 'round her waist, lawdy mama, great God almighty
Woman I love, twenty-five 'round her waist
I ain't found nobody, to take that woman's place
Tell me babe, how you want your rollin' done, lawdy mama, great God almighty
Tell me how you want your rollin' done?
"Want you to do it just like my old time rider done"
[Instrumental verse]
Tell me mama, where in the world did you stay last night, lawdy mama, great God almighty
Tell me where, late did you stay last night?
Well you know good and well, you ain't treatin' me right
You said "Look here daddy, daddy don't you raise no sand", lawdy mama, great God almighty
"Look-a here daddy, don't you raise no sand"
"I don't ask you about no woman, don't ask me about my man"
[Instrumental verse]
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Hey Chris, I was contemplating starting some Mance lyric pages on weeniepedia and while scoping out what we had already (no lyrics yet) I noticed in your Mance tunings article (http://www.weeniecampbell.com/wiki/index.php?title=Mance_Lipscomb_Guitar_Keys_and_Positions#Texas_Songster_-_Vol._4_-_Live.21_at_The_Cabale_-_Arhoolie_CD_482) you mentioned for Meet Me In The Bottom from Live At The Cabale he is tuned dropped-D, while presumably playing out A. Is this still your feeling on this tune? Do you mean he starts, either accidentally or intentionally, in drop D and tunes it up on the fly? I have been known to do that, completely by mistake in my case.
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Yeah, he starts in dropped D and tunes it up in one very decisive move when he gets to the E section of the opening solo. He does it with such aplomb that I'm sure it's a mistake he'd made before!
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Hi all,
Mance's recording of "Willie Poor Boy" was first released on his old album, "Texas Sharecropper and Songster, Volume 2", on Arhoolie. Mance played the song out of Spanish tuning and it is one of very few non-slide tunes in Spanish recorded by Texas players. A number of my friends have commented on its similarity to Leadbelly's "Poor Howard", and like "Poor Howard", the way the left hand works in the front end of the performance is very much akin to Bluegrass banjo. Toward the tale end of the song, Mance goes into a very syncopated lyric break, starting with "Whoa, mule" that is a marked contrast with the smoothly flowing front end of the song.
https://youtu.be/WI14_jP2XMc
Willie, Willie, Willie poor boy
Do let my Saviour be
Yes, I love my baby, God knows I do
I'll love her 'til the sea goes dry
If I thought she didn't love me
I'd take morphine and I'd die
Oh me, oh my
Do Lord, remember me
Went down to the old New Ground
Get me a load o' corn
Well, the racoon sicced them dog on me
That possum blowed his horn
SOLO
Do Lord, remember me
I went down to New Orleans
Didn't go there to stay
I fell in love with a brownskin girl
Stayed there half of my day
Ah me, ah my, Willie poor boy
Do let my Saviour be
Would not marry a knotty-headed girl
Tell you the reason why
'Cause every time she combed her head
The nap begin to fly
SOLO
Now if I had a Northern wife
I'll tell you what I'd do
I'd take her down to New Orleans
I'd trade her off for corn
SOLO
Whoa mule, whoa mule, whoa mule
That old mule
Hit that mule, he wouldn't gee
'Cross the head with a single-tree
Whoa mule, whoa mule, whoa mule
All best,
Johnm
Edited November 4, 2016 by Lindy:
Banjo Chris taught this song at Port Townsend this summer (great thing about a lot of Mance Lipscomb tunes, it only takes 20 minutes to teach/learn the basic song, then it takes weeks of practice to get at the subtleties and variations). I went looking for lyrics, and I found some that are on a couple of other recordings besides "Texas Sharecropper and Songster, Vol. 2."
The first stanzas are from ?Hear Me Howlin?,? the 50th Anniversary Arhoolie boxed set.
I went down to my true love?s house the other day.
I didn?t go there to stay.
She treated me so nice and kind.
I stayed there half of my day.
Aw me, aw my, aw my,
Do let my savior be.
Some people tell me that a preacher won?t steal.
I caught two down in my cornfield.
One had a shovel, the other had a hoe,
Digging my corn all up by the road.
Aw, aw my, lord do have mercy on me.
Old mule, that old mule,
Can?t get the saddle on that old mule.
Old mule, old mule, old mule
Old mule, that old mule.
------------------
The next two stanzas are from "Texas Songster 2000" (no ?volume? number like the other Mance CDs on Arhoolie):
Well the raccoon up that simmon tree,
And the possum down on the ground.
Well the possum said to raccoon, ?I want you
To shake me some simmons down.?
Aw-me, aw-my, do lord remember me.
I went down to my true lover?s house.
Hadn?t never been down there before.
She fed me out of an old hog trough,
I ain?t going back no more.
Aw-me, Willie Poor Boy
Do let my savior be.
Lindy
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Re: "I Wonder Why" on Live at the Cabale,
I think 'two kind of nations' is actually 'two kind of natures'. Meaning two types of men/women that he can't stand.
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Also, in some live versions of 'Rocks and Gravel', he says 'Goin out west Texas, see my pony run' vice goin out 'west to'. Probably mixed the two up as they came to him on stage on any given night, and it's hardly worth mentioning.
A minor point as I said, as the thought gets across regardless.
Plus, 'out west' from his hometown of Navasota for 600 miles or so is nothing but more Texas anyhow!
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Hi,
I Found two videos of Mance playing Alcohol Blues (also known as Whiskey Blues):
http://youtu.be/Resv3TSLXKM (http://youtu.be/Resv3TSLXKM)
and
I currently try to figure out the lyrics, which is hard as i am not a native speaker.
The lyrics seem to be quite different in these two versions; this is what i hear:
Mance Lipscomb - Alcohol Blues
I?m out on 5th street to buy some alcohol
out on 5th street in the morning to buy some alcohol
told the man to cut it half full o' water
But he didn't put a drop at all
Drunk my alcohol (this morning) and walked on down the street (2*)
My eyes got so heavy couldn?t see my feet
She said Daddy Daddy you?re no good at all
She said Daddy Daddy you aint no good at all
You dont do nothing than drink your alcohol
You don?t love like you say you do
You don?t love me baby like you say you do
You can?t be my woman, somebody else will do
1.Solo
???? can not stand myself
???? can not stand myself
Every woman i get, she got someone else
Left home this morning played like i was gone
Left home this morning and played like i was gone
When I slipped back somebody is on my babys arms
I shot that woman and thought that she would die
Yes I shot that woman and thought that gal would die
Instrumental
???
Come in this house get your morning exercise
Come in this house (woman) get your morning exercise
When I get through with you take your farewell ride
That?s alright things going back my way
That?s alright things going back my way
Got (some) money in my pocket change clothes every day
If anyone has an idea what the lyrics for the missing line are or has any improvement proposals for the lines i heard it would be highly appreciated
all
best
carsten
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One thing people can not stand myself
Hey one thing can not stand myself
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Missing bits:
Here's one thing I can't understand myself
Tell me baby how you want your rollin' done,
I want you to do just like my old-time rider done.
Got a two by four, totin' in my hand
Got a two by four, totin' 'round in my hand
When I get through with you, you know how to treat your next man.
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thanks a ton for your help and time chris & dom!
I will try to incorporate the lyrics in my "version" of the song.
all best
Carsten
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Casey Jones
https://youtu.be/HJ52d4pyn38
Come all you rounders if you want to hear
Story 'bout a brave engineer
Casey Jones was the rounder's name
On a six eight wheeler where he won his fame
Caller called Casey just a half past four
Kissed his wife at the station door
He mounted to the cabin with his order in his hand
Takin' a farewell trip a to the promised land
(guitar) mounted to the cabin
(guitar)
Casey Jones (guitar)
Takin' a farewell trip a to the promised land
Casey said just before he died
Fix all the cars so the bums can't ride
If they ride they got to ride the rod
Put their hopes in Jesus and their trust in God
(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
Haul in your water shovel in your coal
Stick your head out the window watch the drive wheel roll
Gon' run this train til they leave the rail
'Cause I'm eight hours late with the western mail
Casey Jones (guitar)
Casey Jones (guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
When Casey was going up the Reno Hill
He blowed for the crossing with an awful shrill
Switchman knowed by the engine's moan
Man 's at the throttle must be Casey Jones
(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
Looks at his watch and the watch was slow
Looked at the water and the water was low
He turned to the fireman and then he said
We will (fix broke?) but we'll all be dead
(guitar)
Casey Jones (guitar)
Casey Jones (guitar)
Takin' a farewell trip a to the promised land
When he died he went to Heaven from here
Told Saint Peter he's a brave engineer
Saint Peter said Casey 'cause you're brave and bold
I'm gonna send you down yonder where you can shovel coal
In verse 10, other songs have lyrics like "Boy we're gonna reach Bristol but we'll all be dead" or "We're going to reach Frisco but we'll all be dead." Could be he was going for "Frisco" but muffed the lyric...
Any corrections or suggestions are always appreciated.
Thanks,
Scott
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This is off the Arhoolie recordings. I believe this is originally a song about the card game Coon Can, or gin rummy.
https://youtu.be/aj17Cgv6zuI
Jack of Diamonds
Well I played him end of spring
And he never won a thing
Jack of Diamonds was a hard card to play
Well I played him end of fall
And he never won at all
Jack of Diamonds was a hard card to play
I fell down on my knees
Tried to play Jack of Spades
Jack of Diamonds was a hard card to play
Well I played him 'gainst the ace
He was a starvation in my face
Jack of Diamonds was a hard card to play
Well I played him 'gainst the deuce
pulled a jack when it weren't no use
Jack of Diamonds was a hard card to play
Well I played him 'gainst the tre
It was on ??it a fiver lay??
Jack of Diamonds was a hard card to play
And I played the jack 'gainst the four
Turned the jack's red indigo
Jack of Diamonds was a hard card to play
I played him 'gainst the five
That Abe Lincoln made me cry
Jack of Diamonds was a hard card to play
And I played him 'gainst the six
It left me in a terrible fix
Jack of Diamonds was a hard card to play
And I told you last week
Just as plain as a man could speak
I'm gonna send you to your proper pay day
And I played the jack 'gainst the king
And it made the deal sing
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
And I played it 'gainst the queen
And it turned my money green
Jack of diamonds was a hard card to play
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In the 5th and 7th verses, after listening to another live recording on youtube, I'm switching to "lay". Instead of imagining the money he will win is already in his hand. He is contrasting "play", to hold the hand, with "lay", to put down the hand.
5th verse:
I played the jack 'gainst the tre
It was only a five to lay
7th verse:
I played the jack 'gainst the five
That lay likely (lay length/meld length) make/made me cry
Any other suggestions?
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It's "fiver lay" and "lay like to made me cry" -- also in the verse about "pay day" it's "send you to your papa pay day" (which is a pretty common blues lyric.
The game that the song is about is Monte, which is sort of a relative of Faro, but there was a "layout" of cards to bet against:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Bank (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Bank)
Chris
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I just found a whole thread on this forum devoted to discovering what game it was. I don't think we'll know. The reason why I thought it was coon-can, was because the high cards like jack of diamonds are hard to finally get rid of as deadwood. And you can't have over ten points in your hand before you lay or throw down your cards (at least in gin rummy). So the meaning in that case would be, "Jack of Diamonds is hard card to finally throw down".
Yet it begs the question, if this player is pulling cards out of the deck in serial order, 1,2,3,...6...why does pulling a 6 leave him in a terrible fix? He's got two melds and a possible third on the way. Earlier in the song, "Only a 5 to lay" could mean that he has two melds already in his hand and he needs to pull one more five to lay/throw down his hand. Then he pulls a 4, and he figures he will more likely make a run out of 4,5,6, so he discards a 5 AND also pulls a 5 out of the deck. That's why the "lay length" makes him cry at this point, because he just ruined what would have been a perfectly good meld for a dubious one. Then he pulls a six and the theory seems to be lost, because he's in a terrible fix with two melds. Although, isn't that what singing blues is about? This isn't a card game, it's poetry, so... To cap off this game, when he gets the third meld, he then discards one of the two fives he has, and only has one five left over.
Like I said, monte could also be the game, as it says in the liner notes of the Arhoolie album. It would then make since to have a "fiver" or a "five-spot" on the lay-out. I'll have to do some more research and listen to more versions before I'm sold.
Papa pay day? Could you list some songs that have this verse in it? I know Mississippi John Hurt sings about Mama payday. What an interesting post! thanks chris!
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Yet it begs the question, if this player is pulling cards out of the deck in serial order, 1,2,3,...6...why does pulling a 6 leave him in a terrible fix?
Because the song demanded a word to rhyme with "six".
Don't over-intellectualize this stuff. ;D
Seriously, there's nothing in the song that indicates that the cards were actually played in the order they're sung. The singer could be talking about separate instances in multiple games.
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yeah, you're right, as a game it doesn't make sense unless we all agree that there were so many games of faro, played coincidentally, or remembered in sequence. But as a folksong it's a structural masterpiece. That's why I spend so much time with this. O0
You know, I was just thinking, intelexualizing if you will :P. One of the biggest problems or shall I say "mysteries" about this way of looking at it is (and it's a popular view since the wikipedia stub on this song mentions that it is about a game of coon can), besides what I've already mentioned:
If (during the same game of coon can) on the deuce he pulls another jack of another suit when it doesn't matter, and on the next turn he pulls a tre and only needed a five to win, that would mean that he has pulled a third jack, between moves two and three, skipping this move over in the verse. He then later substitutes the queen and the king for those two jacks to complete the verse. So why is there such a slight of hand (in the song) at this point? Probably because he is talking about casino/saloon games where cardsharping was notorious. In a song like this "slide of hand" is also most deceptive.
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Hey has anyone ever listened to Butterbeans and Susie's "Deal Yourself Another Hand"? I'm convinced that no matter what game they're talking about, it all boils down to this:
The Jack that's three-card Charlie, and he's using me for a goat
The Queen that's you sweet mama, also trying to cut my throat
The King that's Papa Butterbeans and he's gonna wear the crown
So be careful y'all ain't broke when the deal goes down
They're playing a three-handed whist in this song. The fact that the ace was a "starvation" in the Lipscomb song makes me think it's also a reference to whist (spades or hearts) where it is possible to play backwards in a misere contract, so that the party with the most tricks loses instead of wins. The ace would be the least valuable card instead of the highest (in a game like coon can or faro it doesn't matter).
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One of my favorites off the Arhoolie album. I'm filling in a lyric given in an interview he gave on the source for this song which was left out of the recording. I wonder if there are any others.
https://youtu.be/90vatUNRvBk
Freddie
Lord, Freddie's woman she done somethin'
She had never done before
She was in the bed, with another man
Made Freddie's pallet on the floor
He got mad, he got bad
With his gun, in his hand
Freddie's woman saw him comin'
Went and fell down on her knees
I could hear her cryin', "Now Freddie,
spare my life if you please,
I know you're mad, you got bad,
With your gun in your hand"
Freddie meets the policeman
With his big gun in his hand;
"Freddie, I heard you done killed your woman"
He said, "Yes, I'm lookin' for that man,
He made me mad, I got bad,
With my gun, in my hand"
Freddie said, "Look-a here Judge,
Judge, wouldn't-a you got mad
If you come home and find your woman
With another man in your bed?
You'd got mad, you'd got bad,
With your gun, in your hand"
Freddie said, "Now mama,
Mama you got to let me go,
Cause the woman mistreated me
And I had to shoot her so...
I got mad, I got bad
With my gun, in my hand"
Now Freddie say he lay down
Tried not to pay her no mind
But a-while 'fore day Freddie a-woke
Heard some springs...(cryin': from interview)
He got mad, he got bad
With his gun, in his hand
Freddie's papa told Freddie
"Son, here's what you done wrong:
When you found out that woman won't-a treat you right,
son, why didn't you let her alone?"
You got mad, you got bad,
With your gun, in your hand
Freddie said, "Look-a here papa,
Papa, wouldn't-a you got mad,
If you come home and find mama
With another man in your bed?"
You'd got mad, you'd got bad,
With your gun, in your hand
Freddie's papa said, "Yes,
son I'll tell you what I'm gonna do,
If the judge give you forty years,
I'll have him pardon you,
For being a bad man,
With your gun, in your hand"
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Hi all,
Mance Lipscomb's version of "Frankie and Albert" was released for the first time on "Mance Lipscomb-"Captain, Captain!", Texas Songster, Vol. 3", Arhoolie 465, never having been put out in the LP era. Mance plays his version out of C position in standard tuning. Melodically, it is probably closest to Big Bill Broonzy's version, of the versions of the song that have been posted thus far, but it is different enough to be considered a different melody. Mance phrases the melody on the guitar right under his singing, as he so often did.
https://youtu.be/fIsX_H_xQag
Frankie was a good woman, evahbody knows
Paid forty-one dollar for Albert, a suit of clothes
"That's my man, but he done me wrong."
Frankie walked up to the bartender, called for a glass of beer
Say, "Look-a here, bartender, ain't Albert, my man been here?
That's my man, goin' to kill him, sure."
Bartender say, "Now Frankie, ain't gonna tell you no lie.
Albert left here about an hour ago with a woman called Alice S. Blye.
That's your man, but he done you wrong."
Frankie walked down the streets, weren't gone very long
Under Frankie's ap'on, lot of Colt's .41
"That's my man, goin' to kill him, sure."
When she first shot Albert, fell down to his knees
He say, "Look-a here, Frankie, spare my life if you please.
I'm your man, but I done you wrong."
"Roll me over, doctor, roll me over slow.
Where Frankie done shot me, it is killing me, sure."
I'm her man, but I done you wrong."
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Mance Lipscomb recorded his version of "Casey Jones" on his "Trouble in Mind" album, on the Reprise label. He accompanied himself out of F, and the song's melody sits and flows beautifully working out of that position. The melody he sings is the one you probably sang if you learned the song in elementary school; it was used for a Good 'n'Plenty commercial years ago: Charlie says, "Love my Good 'n' Plenty", etc.
Mance never sings a full refrain, choosing instead to treat that portion of the song mostly as an instrumental opportunity with words here and there. There's one line in the first refrain I'm completely stumped by, and I would appreciate help with that and any other place I've got it wrong.
Come all you rounders if you want to hear
Story about a brave engineer
Casey Jones, it was the rounder's name
On a six-eight wheeler, well, he won his fame
Caller called Casey just 'bout half past four
Kissed his wife at the station door
He mounted to the cabin with his order in his hand
Takin' a farewell trip a-to the Promised Land
REFRAIN: (guitar)
Mounted to the cabin
(guitar)
Casey Jones
(guitar)
Takin' a farewell trip a-to the Promised Land
Casey said, just before he died,
"Fix all the cars so the bums can't ride
If they ride, they got to ride the rod,
They put their hopes in Jesus and their trust in God."
REFRAIN SOLO
Haul in your water, shovel in your coal
Stick your head out the window, watch the driver roll
"Gon' run this train 'til it leaves the rail
'Cause I'm eight hours late a-with the western mail."
REFRAIN: Casey Jones
(guitar)
Casey Jones
(guitar)
When Casey was goin' up Reno Hill
He blowed for the crossing, with an awful shrill
Switchman knowed by the engine moan
Man's at the throttle must be Casey Jones
SOLO
Looks at his watch and his watch was slow
Looked at the water and the water was low
He turned to the fireman and then he said,
We will fix broke, but we'll all be dead
REFRAIN: (guitar)
Casey Jones
(guitar)
Casey Jones
(guitar)
Takin' a farewell trip a-to the Promised Land
When he died, he went to Heaven from here
Told St. Peter he's a brave engineer
St. Peter said, "Casey, 'cause you're brave and bold,
I'm gonna send you down yonder, where you can shovel coal."
Edited 12/19 to pick up corrections from ScottN
All best,
Johnm
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Hi John,
I hear mounted to the cabin in the refrain. In post 52 of this thread I have my take on it. Last verse I think is brave and bold vs in the world.
Thanks,
Scott
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Oops, I forgot that you had transcribed Mance's version of "Casey Jones", Scott. "Mounted to the cabin" sounds right on, as does "brave and bold". I re-listened, and that later place where you have "fix broke", it is certainly what Mance sang, so I'll fix that, too. Thanks for the help and I will make the changes.
All best,
Johnm
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Current inventory of transcribed ML songs 4/28/14
Weeniepedia:
Boll Weevil
Casey Jones
Frankie and Albert
Tell Me Where You Stay Last Night
Willie Poor Boy
In thread at various stages:
Silver City (DVD) reply no 6
Silver City (cd) no 7
You Got To Reap What You Sow no 13
Night Time Is The Right Time no 15
Ella Speed no 18
Goin Down Slow no 25
Captain Captain no 25
Blues In G no 28
Evil Blues no 33
Blues In The Bottle no 40
Meet Me In The Bottom (Cabale) no 42
Alcohol Blues (Whiskey Blues) no 48
Jack Of Diamonds no 53
Freddie no 60
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From You Got To Reap What You Sow
https://youtu.be/H4N1TIZTTik
The Titanic
Spoken: That was a very stressful time out on the ocean when the Titanic struck the iceberg and went down. All those people had to drown. And main part 'at was so sorry the womens had to you know look at their mens go down on the ocean. And they put out the lifeboat just [ta try] an save the womens and let the men went down. So we're gonna play you The Titanic.
Intro
On the fourteenth day of April year of nineteen twelve
When the Titanic struck the iceberg almost too sad to tell
God move
God move
God move
Oh the people had to run and pray
When the Titanic was sinking they put lifeboats all around
Says let's save the women and children even if the mens go down
God move
God move
God move
Whoa the people had to run and pray
When the lifeboat got to the landing women looked around
Say look out on that ocean look at our men go down
God move
God move
God move
Whoa the people had to run and pray
Captain he was laying down
Sleep 'cause he was tired
But he woke up in a great fright
'Cause the men had [gun shot him fired]
God move
God move
God move
Whoa the people had to run and pray
Jacob (P)Astor was a millionaire had plenty money to spare
But when the Titanic was sinking Lord he could not pay his fare
God move
God move
God move
Whoa the people had to run and pray
Solo / outro
Thanks,
Scott
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Thanks for doing all the recent lyric transcriptions, Scott. I haven't had a time to listen to the Pink Anderson songs and don't currently have the recordings at home. I'll have to fetch them the next time I'm in Seattle.
The post listing the status of the different Mance Lipscomb transcriptions in progress is a great idea. On "God Moves On the Water", I think the last line of the fourth verse before its refrain is:
"Cause the MANY guns shot AND fired"
All best,
Johnm
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?cause the mate his gun shot and fired?. The Newport live recording is the one I?m going by.
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Hi all, Years ago I bought a Mance Lipscombe CD which was the very first CD released by Arhoolie according to the serial number. On there the first tune was Big Boss Man and I liked his variation of the lyrics he had compared to the Jimmy Reed version which looked a bit sparse on paper. I also like the guitar playing which I found easily accessible and not hard to sing while playing it. I noticed that Mance's version was not here so I decided to write what I think he is singing on it, there are a few spots I am not sure of so please add or adjust my translation (if that's the right word for it). I also like the way his first verse is short, starting on the IV chord.
https://youtu.be/4Oc19Af1spA
BIG BOSS MAN . - Mance Lipscombe
1. I got a big boss man, just won't treat me right
Works me hard all day, lord, I can't sleep at night
2. He's standing on his turnrow, with his pistol in his hand,
he done whooped that woman, goin' to kill that man.
'Cos he's a big boss man, just won't treat me right
Works me hard all day, I can't sleep at night.
3. I told my wife last night, just pack up our things and go.
I ain't gonna work for that, mean boss man no more.
'Cos he's a mean boss man, knows me when he hear's me call,
Well you ain't so big, you just tall that's all.
4. Standin' on the corner, with his hat on his head,
Gets mad when you can't, underrstand what he said.
'Cos he's a mean boss man, just won't treat me right.
Works me hard all day, I can't sleep at night.
5. Next boss I get (or git as he says), gonna do right to me,
When i go to him, he gonna let me be.
'Cos he's a mean boss man, just won't treat me right,
Works me hard all day, I can't sleep at night.
6. ( Mance plays a solo here until he reaches the V chord part then sings there :......)
Well you ain't so big, You Just tall that's all <<< V Chord (C7)
7. Next boss man I work for, He got to treat me right
He can work me all day, and let me sleep at night (?? maybe Can't work me all day etc,)
'Cos he's a, big boss man, don't you hear me call ?
You ain't so big, you just tall that's all.
First query : Is Mance saying Turnrow in 2nd verse and if so, what is a turnrow ? being Australian may be why I don't get this word.
Mance plays this in E position either tuned up a half step to F. or capoed at first fret I am not sure which.
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Is Mance saying Turnrow in 2nd verse and if so, what is a turnrow ?
Yes, it's turnrow. A trunrow is a strip of land at either side of a plowed and planted field perpendicular to the plowed furrows. When you're plowing, it's where you turn the plow at the end of a furrow to go back down to do the next furrow.
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2. He's standing on his turnrow, with his pistol in his hand,
he done whooped that woman, goin' to kill that man.
'Cos he's a big boss man, just won't treat me right
Works me hard all day, I can't sleep at night.
First query : Is Mance saying Turnrow in 2nd verse and if so, what is a turnrow ? being Australian may be why I don't get this word.
I found this definition in Merriam -Webster's online dictionary:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turnrow (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turnrow)
a strip of usually uncropped land at the side or end of a field upon which a plow may be turned at the end of the furrow
Bruce Jackson gives the following definition in the glossary of his book Wake Up Dead Man which collected work songs from Texas prisons.
--a road around a large planted area
Jim
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Thanks fellas, now I understand it, my grandfather was a grazier of sheep mostly but never did the crop thing and besides we Aussies have different terminologies about most things farming to what is used in America, cheers. I hope my lyrics above will help somebody someday, if I find any more tunes I have written down that are not yet in Weenie's lyrics archive I shall gladly put them up.
Now I await someone to do the song Mance style on Back Porch so I can enjoy. :)
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He's standing on his turnrow, with his pistol in his hand,
he done whooped that woman, goin' to kill that man.
'Cos he's a big boss man, just won't treat me right
Works me hard all day, I can't sleep at night.
One last thing about Lipscomb's version of "Big Boss Man" that might be of interest to some. On Jimmy Reed's record, Luther Dixon and Al Smith have been creditied as composers of the song. But according to Lipscomb, it was written in the fields out of the workers' complaints of mistreatment. This is in his oral autobiography titled I Say for Me a Parable. If I remember correctly, the book doesn't mention Dixon and Smith or Jimmy Reed's version.
Regarding the lyric "He's standing on the turnrow with a pistol in his hand," Lipscomb said that the laborers in the fields were actually watched over by bosses who were armed just as was done on the prison farms.
Jim
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He's standing on his turnrow, with his pistol in his hand,
he done whooped that woman, goin' to kill that man.
'Cos he's a big boss man, just won't treat me right
Works me hard all day, I can't sleep at night.
One last thing about Lipscomb's version of "Big Boss Man" that might be of interest to some. On Jimmy Reed's record, Luther Dixon and Al Smith have been creditied as composers of the song. But according to Lipscomb, it was written in the fields out of the workers' complaints of mistreatment. This is in his oral autobiography titled I Say for Me a Parable. If I remember correctly, the book doesn't mention Dixon and Smith or Jimmy Reed's version.
Regarding the lyric "He's standing on the turnrow with a pistol in his hand," Lipscomb said that the laborers in the fields were actually watched over by bosses who were armed just as was done on the prison farms.
Jim
Yeah I have felt ever since hearing Mance play this the first time that his version was an earlier version and not an adaptation but can't prove it because Jimmy got it recorder first. As for the armed guards that does figure, in fact he states in the lyric "with his pistol in his hand" which sorta sounds like prison to me so maybe Mance learned the tune from an ex-con. I love the song, both Jimmy's and Mance's versions are great. When I play the song but, I do Mance's version if I am the one singing but if someone else sings it at a jam it is invariably Reed's version.
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When I read Lipscomb's statements about how the workers were treated in the fields and how the bosses carried guns, it helped me to understand Lightnin' Hopkins's "Tim Moore's Farm" and how Moore could "let" one of his workers bury his dead wife "one of these old dinner times."
I got a telegram this morning, boy, it read, it say, "Your wife is dead"
I show it to Mr. Moore, he said, "Go ahead, nigger you know you got to plow old Red"
That white man says, "It's been raining, yes, and I'm way behind
I may let you bury that woman one of these old dinner times"
I told him, "No, Mr. Moore; somebody's got to go"
He says, "If you ain't able to plow, Sam, stay up there and grab your hoe"
Jim
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Hi everyone!
First post for me. I'd love some help with the lyrics to this tune, as found on The Best of Mance Lipscomb, 2009. I tried searching on this site, but was unable to find them.
Here's what I have, which differs somewhat from what I could find online (it seems most of the lyric sites simply copy each other):
https://youtu.be/dLjNSN6-Umc
Oh I ain?t gonna give you no more cherry ball
Oh, I ain?t gonna give you no more cherry ball
You got drunk and shared (?showed) your Santa Claus
Little bitty woman, hips just like a snake
Little bitty woman, hips just like a snake
? kind l?il woman baby it really take
Late last night my love come fallin? down
? not any on our last go ?round
Shake shake mama, buy you diamond ring
Oh, shake shake mama, buy you diamond ring
You don?t shake, ain?t goin? buy you a doggone thing
Clutch start slipping, car won?t even sing (I haven't seen this as "car" before but the analogy makes more sense to me)
Oh, my clutch start slipping, car won?t even sing
Losin? compression from my piston ring
Oh rider, you ain?t foolin? me
Look in your eye, you ain?t foolin? me
? You been privy to me all time used to be
I like my babe but I don?t like her teddy bear
Oh I like my woman but I don?t like her teddy bear
I?m gonna buy her a box back never gon' wear
Thanks for your help!
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Here is another take - many of the same verses, different order. Here are a few
Late last night my love come fallin? down
Late last night my love come fallin? down
Me and my woman on our last go 'round
Oh rider, you ain?t foolin? me
Look here rider, you ain?t foolin? me
You've been slipin' to your all time used to be
Oh I ain?t gonna give you no more cherry ball
Oh, I ain?t gonna give you no more cherry ball
You got drunk and showed your Santa Claus
Mance Lipscomb 1895 1976 Shake Shake Mama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-397UjXAIU#)
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Here are the lyrics printed on the insert from the original Arhoolie lp from 1960 (this label's first release). Mance Lipscomb; Texas Sharecropper and Songster (1001)
1. Oh! I ain't gonna give you no more cherry ball
(Repeat)
You done got drunk and showed your "Santa Claus"
2. Oh, little bitty mama hips just like a snake
(Repeat)
Come little woman, babe, really takes
3. Oh, late last night my love come falling down
(Repeat)
Me and my baby are on our last go-round
4. Oh, shake shake mama, buy you a diamond ring
(Repeat)
You don't shake, ain't gonna buy you a doggone thing
5. Oh, my clutch start slipping, car won't even sing
(Repeat)
Losing compression from my piston rings
6. Oh rider, you ain't fooling me
(Repeat)
You been slipping (back) to your old time used to be
7. Oh, like my baby but don't like her teddy bear
(Repeat)
I'm gonna buy her box back nitties to wear
(Box back nitties are those long flannel underwear with the flap in the back)
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Slack and Lignite's corrections are good -- I'll add that this:
Clutch start slipping, car won?t even sing
car should be coil
Chris
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What a great song this is, and his whole delivery -- sure wish I'd gotten to hear him live. I've heard the "snake hips" verse sung as:
Little bitty woman, hips just like a snake
That's the kind of woman, big men really dig
One time, years ago, Eric and I played at a wonderful wedding, two of the waitstaff from Chez Panisse were getting married. They asked us to play in the ceremony and the songs they requested were "I've Got What It Takes, But It Breaks My Heart To Give It Away" (Bessie Smith) and "Shake Shake Mama" by Mance. Both songs reference snake hips. It was a very very memorable wedding, we put together a rootsy dance band with Bradley Williams and Steven Strauss and people danced late, late into the night and of course the food was great, not fancy but delicious and abundant. I've often remembered it and I hope that Ted and Kat are still happily married.
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Thank you all!
Understanding lyrics can sometimes be as difficult, or more, than the underlying music...particularly with variations in recording quality and dialects.
I still favor the word "car" over "coil". I think it better fits the analogy. Also, in listening to Mance speaking on some of the Seattle Folklore Society videos his "a"s sometimes sound like "oi"s.
Interesting that "old time used to be" apparently means "ex-lover". Helps understand the tune!
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I still favor the word "car" over "coil". I think it better fits the analogy. Also, in listening to Mance speaking on some of the Seattle Folklore Society videos his "a"s sometimes sound like "oi"s.
There is a pretty clear L sound at the end of the word each time and the first time he pretty well enunciates the "oi" also.
And great story Suzy!
Chris
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Hi all,
Mance Lipscomb's "Freddie" was the first song on his first Arhoolie album. It's a tremendously driving one-chord song played out of E position in standard tuning. Here it is:
https://youtu.be/Rfjn9AFVyCk
Now, Freddie's woman, she done something she had never done before
She was in the bed with another man, made Freddie's pallet on the floor
He got mad, he got bad, with his gun in his hand
Freddie's woman saw him comin', went and fell down on her knees
I could hear her cryin', "Now, Freddie, spare my life if you please.
I know you're mad, you got bad, with your gun in your hand."
Freddie meets the policeman with his big gun in his hand
"Freddie, I done heard you killed your woman." He said, "Yes, I'm lookin' for that man.
He made me mad, I got bad, with my gun in my hand."
Freddie said, "Look-a-here, Judge. Judge, wouldn't-a you gotten mad,
You'd've comin' home and find your woman, with another man in your bed?
You'd've got mad, you'd've got bad, with your gun in your hand
Freddie say, "Now Mama, Mama, you have to let me go.
'Cause the woman mistreated me, and I had to shoot her, so,
You got mad, I got bad, with my gun . . . ."
Now, Freddie say, he lays down, tried not to pay it no mind
But a while 'fore day, Freddie was woke, heard some springs --
He got mad, he got bad, with his gun in his hand
Freddie's Papa told Freddie, "Son, here's where you done wrong:
When you found out that woman weren't treatin' you right, son, why didn't you let her alone?
You got mad, you got bad, with your gun in your hand."
Freddie said, "Look-a-here, Papa, Papa, wouldn't have you gotten mad,
You done comin' home and found Mama, with another man in your bed?
You'd gotten mad, you'd got bad, with your gun in your hand."
Freddie's Papa said, "Yes, Son, I'll tell you what I'm gon' do:
If the judge give you forty years, I'll have him pardon you.
For bein' a bad, bad, with your gun
All best,
Johnm
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Banjo Chris taught Willie Poor Boy at Port Townsend this summer (great thing about a lot of Mance Lipscomb tunes, it only takes 20 minutes to teach/learn the basic song, then it takes weeks of practice to get at the subtleties and variations). I went looking for lyrics, and I found some that are on a couple of other recordings besides "Texas Sharecropper and Songster, Vol. 2."
I've already added them to the original post for this song on this thread, but I'm having trouble logging on to add the lyrics to the WeeniePedia page. If someone could do the honor . . .
The first stanzas are from ?Hear Me Howlin?,? the 50th Anniversary Arhoolie boxed set.
I went down to my true love?s house the other day.
I didn?t go there to stay.
She treated me so nice and kind.
I stayed there half of my day.
Aw me, aw my, aw my,
Do let my savior be.
Some people tell me that a preacher won?t steal.
I caught two down in my cornfield.
One had a shovel, the other had a hoe,
Digging my corn all up by the road.
Aw, aw my, lord do have mercy on me.
Old mule, that old mule,
Can?t get the saddle on that old mule.
Old mule, old mule, old mule
Old mule, that old mule.
------------------
The next two stanzas are from "Texas Songster 2000" (no ?volume? number like the other Mance CDs on Arhoolie):
Well the raccoon up that simmon tree,
And the possum down on the ground.
Well the possum said to raccoon, ?I want you
To shake me some simmons down.?
Aw-me, aw-my, do lord remember me.
I went down to my true lover?s house.
Hadn?t never been down there before.
She fed me out of an old hog trough,
I ain?t going back no more.
Aw-me, Willie Poor Boy
Do let my savior be.
Lindy
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I was noodlin' with this song this afternoon and discovered that no one had yet transcribed these lyrics. I play it in Vestapol in D, Chris notes that Mance did it in the same tuning, but in E.
https://youtu.be/6DtQTNr-bWY
Run Sinner Run
Better run, sinner run, and hunt you a hiding place.
Run, sinner run, and hunt you a hiding place.
?sinner run, better hunt you a hiding place.
Oh my lord, oh my lord, what shall I do?
If I was you I would stop right here and pray.
If I was you I?d stop right here and pray.
?was you I would stop right here and pray.
Oh my lord, oh my lord, what shall I do?
What you gonna do when death come a-creepin? in your room?
What you gonna do, death come a-creepin? in your room?
?when death come a-creepin? in your room?
Oh my lord, oh my lord, what shall I do?
I?m goin? in the valley, fall on my knees and pray.
Run in the valley, fall on my knees and pray.
Gonna run in the valley, fall on my knees and pray.
Oh my lord, oh my lord, what shall I do?
If I was a gambler I would throw my cards away.
?was a gambler I?d throw my cards away.
If I was a gambler, I would throw my cards away.
Oh my lord, oh my lord, what shall I do?
GUITAR BREAK
God told Nicodemus that he must be born again.
God told Nicodemus, must be born again.
?Nicodemus that he must be born again.
Oh my lord, oh my lord, what shall I do?
I?m so glad I got my religion in time.
I?m so glad, got my religion in time.
?so glad that I got my religion in time.
Oh my lord, oh my lord, what shall I do?
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Hi all,
"'Bout A Spoonful" comes from Mance Lipscomb's first Arhoolie album, "Mance Lipscomb, Texas Sharecropper and Songster, Vol. 1". It's a ripping piece which Mance played out of A in dropped-D tuning, and it has an unusual 9-bar form (in most verses). Mance goes to a 12-bar form, more or less, for his second solo. I love the opening line of the first verse. Here is "'Bout A Spoonful":
https://youtu.be/Rgj3TFNfSaM
I been drinkin' bad whiskey all night long, got the headache now
Yes, I been drinkin' bad whiskey all night long, oh Lord, mama, got the head ache now
Tell me, what you gonna do with your brand new daddy 'bout a spoonful?
Tell me, what you gonna do with your brand new papa, oh Lord, mama, 'bout a spoonful?
It late last night, well, come home from gettin' a spoonful
It was late last night, I come home from gettin' a spoonful
Oh Lordy, mama, all our daddys gets a spoonful
All I want, baby, in this world, oh baby, just a spoonful
Eve and Adam was the first two people got a spoonful
Tell me, Eve and Adam was the first two people, oh mama, got a spoonful
Late last night, well, I lay down and got a spoonful
Baby, late last night, I lay down, oh mama, got a spoonful
Oh, drinkin' bad whiskey all night long, got the headache now
I been drinkin' bad whiskey all night long, oh mama, got the headache now
SOLO
Tell you, what you gonna do with your brand new daddy 'bout a spoonful?
Oh, what you gonna do with your brand new daddy 'bout a spoonful?
Put him in the bed, gonna run him crazy 'bout a spoonful
Put him in the bed, gonna run him crazy, oh Lord, mama, 'bout a spoonful
SOLO
All I want in this wide world is just a spoonful
Baby, all I want in this wide world is just a spoonful
Tell me, what you gonna do with your brand new mama 'bout a spoonful?
Tell me, what you gonna do with your brand new mama, oh Lord, baby, 'bout a spoonful
OUTRO
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Mance Lipscomb recorded "Charlie James" for "Texas Sharecropper and Songster, Vol. 2" on Arhoolie. The song is a very laconic, spooky number that Mance played out of E position in standard tuning. The first verse sets up the context unforgettably, and so quietly. Mance pronounced "far" like "fur" or "fir". He does one of his trademark continuous accelerandos over the course of his rendition, and he's really moving by the time he gets to the end of the song. Here is "Charlie James":
https://youtu.be/DK6l3AyXnK4
INTRO SOLO
If you see Charlie James coming down the road
Would you please, don't tell him, which-a-way you see me go
In the morning soon, in the morning soon
Yes, I'm going back to Houston in the morning soon
Had a whole lot of money, one day, one day
Next day, I didn't have a dime
SOLO
Looked down the road, just as far as I could see
And I thought I spied my old-time used-to-be
SOLO
Had a whole lot of trouble, one day, one day
Next day I didn't know what to do
SOLO
Looked down the road, just as far as I could see
And I thought I spied my old-time used-to-be
SOLO
When a man gets in trouble, everybody throws him down
Exceptin' for his friends and they won't come around
Nobody ever knows you, when you're down and out
Ask them for a favor, they will know, it's all about
SOLO
Well, you may go, you may try to stay
But you'll be back, some old rainy day
SOLO AND CODA
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Mance Lipscomb's version of "Shorty George", played in C position in standard tuning, has an unusually pretty melody, and is a different song, melodically and in its structure from other songs of that title. Mance always played so many variations, and it's a treat to hear how he changed his accompaniment over the course of his rendition. I'm not at all sure I have the tagline to the first verse exactly right, and would very much appreciate correction or corroboration. Here is "Shorty George":
https://youtu.be/-UqlV-oGa4o
Shorty George, he died on the road
Tell me, Shorty George, he died on the road
He died with a sad, aching heart
If I leave here walking, who's gonna follow me?
If I leave here walking, who's gonna follow me?
If I leave here walking, who's gonna follow me?
Why I love you, babe, just can't help myself
Well, I love my babe, just can't help myself
I'd rather be with you, woman, anybody else
Tell me, babe, where did you stay last night?
Won't you tell me, mama, where'd you stay last night?
You went to come in, home, with your shoes weren't on you right
She says, "Now Daddy, Daddy don't raise no sand.
Look-a-here now, Daddy, Daddy don't raise no sand.
I don't ask you 'bout no woman, don't ask me about no man."
If I feel tomorrow, like I feel today
If I feel tomorrow, like I feel today
Well I won't be here, but somewhere on my way
If I leave here runnin', who's gonna follow me?
If I leave here runnin', who's gon' follow me?
If I leave here walkin', no one to follow me
In the Spring, in the Spring, when the birds begin to sing
It's the only time, you ever gon' dog me 'round
Edited 7/22 to pick up corrections from banjochris
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Mance Lipscomb's version of "Ain't You Sorry?" first appeared on "Texas Sharecropper and Songster, Vol. 4". The song is an 8-bar rag (at least in the verses) with a VI-II-V-I progression, holding each chord for two bars. Mance played it in G position in standard tuning, and he gave it an unforgettably funky rhythm with plenty of the "Spanish tinge". Here is "Ain't You Sorry?":
https://youtu.be/AOippQUgr9M
INTRO SOLO
Ain't you sorry, to your heart, best of friends, you know, they got to part
Ain't you sorry, sorry that you did me wrong?
Now, me and my girl had a falling out, bet you don't know what it was about
She's sorry, sorry that she did me wrong
Now, go on, girl, needn't flirt, know you done tore your underskirt
Ain't you sorry, sorry to your heart?
SOLO
Well, I'm going up North, ain't goin' to stay, got a girl, chance she's gonna pay my way
Ain't you sorry, sorry to your heart?
SOLO X 4
Ain't you sorry, sorry, to your heart, but the best of friends, you know, got to part
Ain't you sorry, sorry you did me wrong?
SOLO
Edited 7/22 to pick up corrections from banjochris and Johnm
All best,
Johnm
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John - some suggestions on "Shorty"
1.3 He died with a sad, broke, ACHIN' heart.
3.3 I'd rather be with YOU, woman, than anybody else (he does kind of swallow "you")
and "Sorry"
3.1 Now, go on, girl, needn't FLIRT, know you done TORE YOUR UNDERSKIRT
4.1 ...got a girl CHANCES gonna pay my way
Chris
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Thanks so much for the help, Chris. Boy, I wasn't even close on that 3.1 line in "Ain't You Sorry". When I re-listened to the 4.1 correction in "Ain't You Sorry", I think Mance sings:
. . . got a girl, chance SHE'S gonna pay my way
It is so much better to have these transcriptions right. Thanks for all of your help.
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Here is a draft of So Different Blues. There is one line in the “Easy, Mr Tom” interpolation at the end that is obscure to my ears: “Let’s buy.”
https://youtu.be/oCVuS5Cr_h0
So Different Blues
Ever wake up with the so different blues, anytime?
Ever wake up with the so different blues?
And you couldn’t get on your Monday morning shoes.
Mama, here’s my stockings, go bring me my shoes, I say.
Here’s my stockings, go bring me my shoes.
My girl done quit me, I got to walk ‘em blues. (Or got the walkin’ blues)
Yon she go walking down that railroad track, yes she is.
Yon she go walking down that railroad track.
Got all my money, she left me that empty sack.
She’s walking down the road with the suit case in her hand, yes she is.
Walking down the road with a suit case in her hand.
She done quit her husband trying to follow some no good man.
Baby, you may go, you may try to stay, I say.
You may go, may try to stay.
If you’re thinking about me, you want to come back home some day.
Ain’t never loved but the four women in my life, I say.
Ain’t never loved but the four womens in my life.
My mom, my sister, my sweetheart and my wife.
Standing at the station when my baby got on board, yes I was.
Standing at the station when she got on board.
Well I couldn’t do nothing but beg her please don’t go.
F’I [If I] never see your smiling face again, I said.
Don’t never see your smiling face again.
Tell everybody that I once had been your friend
Take your time,
Take your time.
It’s easy,
[If] you know how.
Get your bucket,
Let’s buy
Some girl,
Mr Tom,
Yes, here.
Oh, ask my friend if she just come home
Don’t you turn her down.
-
Tell
everybody that I once had been your friend
Anybody
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Thanks so much for the transcription of "So Different Blues", Willie Poor Boy. It's always great to get more of Mance's lyrics transcribed.
All best,
Johnm
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A few suggestions on "So Different"
Got the walkin' blues is right in 2.3
5.3 GET TO thinking about me...
8.3 you have EVERYBODY correct, he doesn't really pronounce the R.
In the "Mr. Tom" part he sings
Let's buy
Some BEER (he swallows as he says this so it comes out a little funny)
Mr. Tom
IS here.
Oh, THAT'S my friend AND she just come home...
Chris
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Hi all,
Mance Lipscomb recorded "Hattie Green" for his album on Reprise, Frank Sinatra's label. I've always been curious as to how the album was shopped to Reprise, why they picked it up, etc. Whatever the case, it's a great album, and "Hattie Green" in particular is stellar. I think Mance's playing can be forgotten sometimes with the amount of music available we have today, but returning to his music I'm reminded how very rare it is in this style to encounter a guitarist whose playing keeps changing from beginning to end in his renditions. Mance really was a fount of invention. And working in a short form like "Hattie Green" has, 8-bars, in A position in dropped-D tuning, he had every opportunity to tap all of his resources. Here is "Hattie Green":
https://youtu.be/R3KuVIVPSg8
INTRO SOLO
I'm goin', up North, gonna stop by Abilene
I'll be on my way, lookin' for, little Hattie Green
Hattie Green, Hattie Green, how come you treat me so mean?
You the meanest woman, girl, I ever seen
You can shake it, you can break it, throw it out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
Let me have what sticks, you can have what falls
SOLO
This time, tomorrow, wonder where on earth will I be?
Somewhere walkin' up and down, that old Santa Fe
SOLO
Hattie Green, is a woman, is a woman I really love
She don't stay here, but somewhere up above
SOLO
I hate, to see, that evenin' sun go down
'Cause I can't see, Hattie nowhere around
SOLO X 2
I love, little Hattie, I just can't help myself
I don't get Hattie, I don't want nobody else
SOLO X 2
Edited 10/25 to pick up correction from Harry
All best,
Johnm
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Great song.
4.1 This time, tomorrow, wonder where on earth I will be? Will I be
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I've always been curious as to how the album was shopped to Reprise, why they picked it up, etc.
As Mance tells it in "I Say Me For A Parable", he (Lipscomb) was playing in California, and Frank Sinatra heard him. Sinatra invited him out on a yacht, where Lipscomb played for him and Mia Farrow. Sinatra then brought Lipscomb to the attention of Warner/Reprise records.
In the book, Mance claimed to have made 3 records for Reprise. One was released at the time. Another 12 songs were released about 20 years ago on the Rhino Handmade label. So there may be more unreleased Mance Lipscomb material in the vaults.
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Thanks for the catch, Harry, I have made the correction. And thanks, dj, for the information on how Mance came to record for Reprise. It's hard to imagine, first of all, why Frank Sinatra would have been at a Mance Lipscomb performance, and secondly, Mance on a yacht, performing for Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow. Truth is sure enough stranger than fiction, I guess.
All best,
Johnm
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I've just joined this website having, only yesterday, stumbled across mance Lipscomb's version of Ella Speed. In a great live version, found on another page of the WeenieCampbell site, I struggled to hear the last line of one of the verses. It goes something along these lines:-
When they all got the news that Ella speed was dead
They goes home and dresses up in red
There was friends and relations, all standing around
I've no idea what the 4th line is but think it finishes with "ground" or maybe "burial ground".
Anyone got an idea? Thanks
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Very hard to understand that line.
I think it ends with "in the ground", the rest I'm not getting at all.
D
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Hi,
On that live version, it sounds like it might be:
Taking my Ella to the burying ground
From "Ella" to the end of the line I'm sure that's what he sang--the first two words I'm less sure.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks David Kaatz and Johnm - I'll go with "Taking my Ella to the burying ground" and hope nobody calls me out!
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Hi all,
I merged the new thread on Mance Lipscomb's lyrics for "Ella Speed" into this pre-existing thread.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
I first heard Mance Lipscomb's version of "Cocaine Done Killed My Baby" on his Arhoolie album, "Texas Sharecropper And Songster, Volume 2". He played the song out of C position in standard tuning, and it shares it's melody with "Nobody's Dirty Business", as performed by John Hurt. Here is Mance's version from that record:
https://youtu.be/61OUknt6XSs
Cocaine done killed my baby, and don't try to run me crazy
Cocaine gonna kill you after a while
I'm goin' away to leave you, I know it's going to grieve you
Cocaine gonna kill you after a while
Don't say that I didn't love you, I don't think myself above you
Cocaine gonna kill you after a while
Cocaine done run me crazy, even now, tried to kill my baby
Cocaine, kill you after a while
Cocaine done rocked me crazy, I b'lieve it's gonna kill my baby
Cocaine gonna kill you after a while
I'm goin' away to leave you, it's going to grieve you
Cocaine gonna kill you after a while
Don't say that I didn't love you, don't think myself above you
Cocaine gonna kill you after a while
SOLO
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all, would anyone know the lyrics to Angel Child? I can't find anything at all.
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Hi all, would anyone know the lyrics to Angel Child? I can't find anything at all.
Hi Monts, please post what you have and we'll try to help out.
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Okay, thanks I'll get back to you soon!
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Hi All,
From CD Vol.3 (Captain,Captain) ,so let's try this , missed a line or 2
ANGEL CHILD
Yes I want to see my little Angel,my little angel child
I want to see my little angel,my little angel child
Love to look in my baby's face people, love to see her smile
Yes she made me a promise, she made it to me one day
She made me a promise, she made it to me one day
I wonder why my little angel , she would walk away
When you used to be sweet mama, you ain't sweet no more
you used to be sweet babe, you ain't sweet no more
I ??????
First Guitar solo
All in my dreams, I can hear my doorbell ring
All in my dreams ,people, I can hear my doorbell ring
When I woke up this morning, couldn't see a dogone thing
If I have someone to love me, halfway treat me right
I have someone to love me , halfway treat me right
I'd quit running 'round here,staying out late at night
Second Guitar solo
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Thank you! That's pretty close to what I thought. I can't get the line you don't have either.
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It would be helpful if you could post a link to a YouTube video of the song. There are a bunch of versions up on YouTube but I couldn’t find one that matched the lyrics you show. There is a version by Daddy Stovepipe that is close, but leaves out the third verse - maybe he couldn’t decipher it either.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYHRd-KSD90
INTRO
Yes, I want to see my little angel, my little angel child
I want to see my little angel, my little angel child
Love to look in my baby’s face, people, love to see her smile
Yes, she made me a promise, she made it to me one day
She made me a promise, she made it to me one day
Wonder why my little angel, she would walk away
Well, you used to be sweet, mama, you ain't sweet no more
You used to be sweet, baby, you ain't sweet no more
I drove the nail this mornin’ but you, pullin’ out the wood
SOLO
All in my dreams, I can hear my doorbell ring
All in my dreams, people, I can hear my doorbell ring
When I woke up this mornin’, couldn't see a doggone thing
If I have someone to love me, halfway treat me right
I have someone to love me , halfway treat me right
I'd quit running 'round here, staying out late at night
SOLO
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Thank you very much!!!
-
I'd suggest "nail" instead of "mule" in that third verse.
Chris
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Thanks Chris. Never knew "drive a nail" was an expression put to great use by Lipscomb as a metaphor.
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It is or was a pretty common sexual metaphor, which makes sense in the context of the verse. Mance ain't getting laid.
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Thank you... I thought he might have said nail... now pulling out the wood makes perfect sense! What a great line!
I love Mance!
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St Louis Blues:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJSeyl1HR7Y
I hate to see that evening sun go down
Cause my baby, she up and left this town
Feelin' tomorrow like i feel today
I'll pack my suitcase and make a getaway
She's a St Louis woman she wears a diamond ring
Well she leads her man around by her apron string
... yeah she dooooo
I got the st Louis blues I'm blue as I can be
My babe got a heart like a rock cast in that sea
Or else she wouldn't go so far from me
If it weren't for the powder and the store bought hair
Woman I love, she couldn't go nowhere
Come on out that kitchen, stop your foolin' round
Smell your bread a burning, turn your damper down
... yes
Well your bread ain't brown, and your cooking ain't clean
Oh your bread ain't brown and your dog gone cooking ain't clean
You're the nastiest woman 'most I ever seen
I hate to see that evening sun go down
Cause my baby, well she can't be found
I got up this morning and laid by myself
Looking for my babe and she had done left
...this town
Baby just don't quit me, try me one more time
If you don't quit me try me one more time
Tell me just before you wear me off your mind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my7Dktp6t3s
Feelin' tomorrow like i feel today
I'll pack my suitcase and make a getaway
I hate to see the evening sun go down
Cause my gal she up and left this town
She's a St Louis woman she wears a diamond ring
Well she leads her man around by her apron string
... yeah she dooooo
I got the St Louis blues I'm blue as I can be, dog gone
my babe got a heart like a rock cast in that sea
or else she wouldn't go so far from me
If it weren't for powder and the store bought hair
Girl I got, she couldn't go nowhere
Come on out of that kitchen mama, stop your foolin' round
I smell your bread a burning, turn your damper down
... yeah i doooo
Your bread ain't brown and your dog gone cooking ain't clean, dog gone
Your bread ain't brown and your dog gone cooking ain't clean
You're the nastiest woman I almost ever seen
Got up this morning, I was feeling wrong
Reached for my pistol and my barrel had gone
If you don't want me baby, don't run no stall
I can get more crooked women than my paint can haul
... yes i can!
My babe done quit me and throwed my clothes out doors
My girl done quit me and throwed my clothes out doors
that's alright baby, gonna reap just what you sow
Live at the Cabale / Early Days Back Home snippet:
See baby, you fooled around and done
You caused me to love you, now your man done come
She's a St Louis woman she wears a diamond ring
Well she leads her man around by her apron string
... yeah, she dooooo
I got the St Louis blues I'm blue as I can be
Got the St Louis blues I'm blue as I can be
My babe done quit me and cross that deep blue sea
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I think Mance might be singing "than my PAINT can haul" in that second-to-last verse, paint as in horse.
Chris
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Thank you! That was on my short list but I didn't think many women, crooked or otherwise, would fit in a paint can.
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Thank you! That was on my short list but I didn't think many women, crooked or otherwise, would fit in a paint can.
Ha! Not too many, no!
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Blues In G
Mance Lipscomb – Vocals, Guitar
November 26-28, 1964
The Cabale, Berkeley, California
Standard Tuning
G Position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx5ntAwlFZA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ7rBQ67D6k
INTRO
Walked all night long with my, pistol in my hand (Spoken: Made me feel good, ‘cause he gon' do the same thing, look for the woman)
Walked all night long with my, pistol in my hand
When I find my woman, she’s with some other man
Shot that woman, man, I thought she died
Shot that woman, man, I thought she died
And I hit her ‘cross the head, know, I blacked her eye
It’s a low-down, low-down dirty shame
It’s a low-down, low-down dirty shame
Have a half bad woman, and you scared to call her name
My baby done quit me, put all my clothes outdoor
My woman done quit me, throwed my clothes outdoor
That’s alright, mama, you gonna reap just what you sow
Well, last winter, when it was chilly and cold
Well, last winter, when it was chilly and cold
My woman put me out, didn’t have nowhere to go
I didn’t have no money, my shoes had done wore thin
I didn’t have no money and my shoes had done wore thin
Didn’t have a decent pair of pants, to go to Sunday School in
That’s alright, things ‘bout to come my way
That’s alright, baby, things ‘bout to come my way
Got money in my pocket, change clothes every day
SOLO
OUTRO
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Hi Blues Vintage,
A couple of things I'm hearing:
In the 3rd verse "Have a half bad woman, and you scared to call her name"
In the 6th verse "Didn’t have a decent pair of pants, to go to Sunday school in"
and the last verse "Got money in my pocket, change of clothes every day"
All the Best,
Ned
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Blues Vintage, the video you posted of "Blues in G" won't play in the U.S.
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I added another video. Hopefully this one works in the U.S. Can't find another one.
The track is from the CD release by Mack McCormick and Chris Strachwitz, "Mance Lipscomb - Texas Songster".
Thanks for the suggestions Old Man Ned, I'll listen closely at a later time.
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I made the changes, Ned. Except for the last line where just sings "change clothes every day" I think.
What is a "half bad woman"?
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Texas Blues
Basically the same song as "Blues in G".
According to my research the video should work in both Europe and the U.S.
Mance Lipscomb – Vocals, Guitar
November 20, 1969
Berkeley, California
Standard Tuning
G Position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoIZq8mi4bU
INTRO
I was raised in Texas, schooled in Tennessee
I was raised in Texas, schooled in Tennessee
I’m ‘gon let you women, make a fool out of me
Well, last winter, when it was chilly and cold
Well, last winter, when it was chilly and cold
My woman put me out, didn’t have nowhere to go
Didn’t have no money, my shoes have done wore thin
Didn’t have no money, my shoes have done wore thin
Didn’t have a decent pair of pants, to go to Sunday School in
That’s alright, baby, things coming back my way
That’s alright, baby, things coming back my way
Have money in my pocket, change clothes every day
SOLO
Take me back, baby, I tell you what I’ll do
Take me back, baby, I tell you what I’ll do
I’ll steal and beg, baby, bring it home to you
She looks at me, she give me one sweetest smile
She looks at me, give me one sweetest smile
I’ll take it back, for your lowdown dirty lie
Oo-wee, I feel alright today
Oo-wee, I feel alright today
My woman come back, say she’s goin to stay
Oh, one of these days, baby, it won’t be long
One of these days, baby, I’m afraid it won’t be long
You gonna call me, baby, yes, and I’ll be gone
SOLO
Mama told me, when I was {one of the child}
Mama told me, when I was a child
{Wine and whiskey and} women gonna kill you after while
Goodbye, if I never see you no more
Goodbye, baby, if I don’t see you no more
‘Member my footprints, tramping ‘round your door
OUTRO SOLO
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I made the changes, Ned. Except for the last line where just sings "change clothes every day" I think.
What is a "half bad woman"?
I'd suggest that's from saying at some point "she's not half bad," kind of a back-handed compliment.
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Thanks, Chris.
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Farewell Blues (from Captain, Captain!)
E, tuned up to F
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnWfRAGZPPs
Fare ye well, fare ye well, to the whole round world
Fare ye well, mama to the whole round world
Oh fare ye well, mama to the whole round world
And it's farewell, babe, to the whole round world
Look down, look down, that lonesome road
Look down the road until my eyes got sore
Look down the road until my eyes got sore
She don't come tomorrow, next day I believe I'll go
You done broke the heart of a many poor man
Oh now girl, trying to break the heart of mine
Oh now, trying to break the heart of mine
Go down, trying to break the heart of mine
mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm
Knowed you when you didn't have a dime
Mama, she told me, when I was a child
Oh mama told me when I was a child
Oh mama told me when I was a child
Son the lies your living going to kill you after a while
Me and my baby, me and my gal, somehow can't get along
Oh me and my baby just can't get along
Oh me and that woman just can't get along
Everything I do she says I do it wrong
mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm
I knowed you when you didn't have a dime
This may well be your last time
Baby your last time
This may well be, baby, your last time
Well your last time rollin' in a bed of mine
Bye bye, bye bye, hate to see you go
Goodbye babe I hate to see you go
Oh goodbye, sure hate to see you go
Well I may not never see you no more
mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm, mmm-mmm
Knowed you when you didn't have a dime
Look down, look down, that lonesome road
Look down that long old lonesome road
As I look down that long old lonesome road
Wondering which-a-way did my baby go
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Shake, Shake, Mama
This is one of my favorite pieces from Lipscomb and has some great lyrics. I’m learning the song at the moment and Jas Obrecht is writing an article on Lipscomb’s first recording session for the upcoming issue of Living Blues Magazine so this should be a perfect time to post it.
This classic was never really finished here at Weenie Campbell and never entered into Weeniepiedia. Thanks to Lignite, Banjochris and Bent Note for the heavy lifting. Please suggest anything you think I got wrong.
Mance Lipscomb – Vocals, Guitar
June 30, 1960
Navasota, Texas
A Position
Dropped D Tuning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLjNSN6-Umc&t=115s
INTRO SOLO
Oh, I ain’t gonna give you, no more cherry ball
Oh, ain’t gonna give you no more cherry ball
You got drunk and showed your Santa Claus
Oh, little bitty woman, hip just like a snake
Oh, little bitty woman, hip just like a snake
Come little women, baby, really take
Oh, late last night my love come falling down
(Guitar plays the IV)
Me and my baby on our last go round
Oh, shake, shake, mama, buy you a diamond ring
Oh, shake, shake, mama, I buy you a diamond ring
You don’t shake, ain’t gon’ buy you a doggone thing
Oh, my clutch starts slipping and my coil won’t even sing
Oh, my clutch starts slipping and my coil won’t even sing
Losing compression from my piston ring
Oh, rider, you ain’t fooling me
Look-a-here, rider, you ain’t fooling me
You been slipping to your all-time used to be
SOLO
Oh, I like my babe but I don’t like her teddy bear
Oh, I like my woman but I don’t like her teddy bear
I’m gonna buy her a box-back nittie to wear
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Hi Blues Vintage,
I quite agree with you about this track--it's one of my very favorites of Mance's. I only have a couple of puny things I'm hearing differently:
In 2.1 and 2.2, I'm hearing "hips" rather than "hip"
In the tagline to the last verse I'm hearing:
I'm gonna buy her A box-back NITTY to wear
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Thanks for the suggestions. I'm still hearing "hip". I agree with the tagline and made that change.
I just realized how good the quality is from Chris Strachwitz’s equipment, recorded right there in Mance’s living room. Maybe he had state of the art stuff at the time. Every nuance of the voice and guitar beautifully documented.
Mance in some way picked up the first verse from Mississippi Bracey’s “Cherry Ball”. Cherry Ball – cherry wine or brandy; from the use of ball to mean “[a] glass of (Irish) malt whiskey”, the expression was corrupted by Skip James to denote an attractive female (Stephen Calt).
In 2.3 I think Mance misspeaks a bit. Perhaps he was planning to sing something like “Come little woman, you got just what it takes”.
Verse 5 has some great car symbolism which I like better than any verse from Robert Johnson’s “Terraplane Blues”. I didn’t understand that verse at all until I found the meaning of the different automobile parts.
Mack McCormick's liner notes to Lipscomb's Arhoolie LP discusses "one verse lauding the 'box-back nittie' which replaced the 'teddy bear' garment which men found unappealing." So "nittie" could refer to a knitted garment, or to a nightie. Box-back nitties were probably long flannel underwear with a flap in the back. From the biography of Jelly Roll Morton, Jelly's Blues, "Unfortunately, Lila instantly realized that the blade had merely ripped the loose, boxed-back suit Mills was wearing, not the flesh she had intended to rip. 'The coat was split from end to end but the knife didn't cut Billy because of the box back coat,' Morton later explained."
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Thanks for the refinements, Blues Vintage and for taking it over the finish line. As for car symbolism, in the interest of thread drift, Myrtle Kahea Hilo, "The [Hawaiian] Singing Cab Driver," recorded "Will You Love Me (When My Carburetor is Busted)." It's a fun song and is on YT. With the shift to EVs, I suspect the symbolism will expand somewhat and also present rhyming challenges.
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Every guy covering this song on YouTube sings "my carbs won’t even sing" instead of "my coil won’t even sing".
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It could be owing to various reasons, one being that they are unfamiliar with early coils which actually did "sing."
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/29/10844.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trembler_coil
https://www.larescorp.com/toolbox/skinned-knuckles-articles/the-model-t-ford-buzz-coil/
The air flow (and Venturi principle) through a carb might make more sense to some re: singing, but "coil" is what Mance sings.
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Goin’ Down Slow
The video might not play in the U.S.
I can’t find one that certainly will. It’s from Mance’s first recording session by Strachwitz and McCormick.
Mance Lipscomb – Vocals, Guitar
June 30, 1960
Navasota, Texas
A Position
Dropped D Tuning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c_0vAsAXpc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6phZSOxzLA&ab_channel=MickLee
(Spoken: One more try this)
Well, I done had my fun, I don’t get well no more
Yes, I done had my fun, I don’t get well no more
My health is failin’ me, Lord, I’m goin’ down slow
I want you to write my mother, tell her the shape I’m in
I want you to write my mother, tell her the shape I’m in
Tell her to pray for me, forgiveness for my sin
Mama, don’t send no doctor, he can’t do no good
Mama, don’t send no doctor, he can’t do no good
It’s all my fault now, mama, I didn’t do the things I should
Next train south, look for my clothes home
Well, the next train south, mama, look for my clothes home
You don’t see my body, all you can do is moan
Mama, please don’t worry, this is all in my prayer
Mama, please don’t worry, this is all in my prayer
You know your son is dead, goin’ out this world somewhere
OUTRO SOLO
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At the Weenie Campbell moderator; Would it be OK to post a mp3 of "Goin’ Down Slow" (the official Lipscomb recording)?
I might post more from Mance's first session- it seems a lot of his stuff is restricted.
-
I modified your post above to include a video link of Mance doing 'Goin' Down Slow' that U.S. folks can see. That work?
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Not really, the lyrics don't match 'cause it's from a different recording.
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I'm fine with posting the mp3 then... it should meet the 1010kb limit.
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OK, thanks Slack. mp3 attached.
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In the video above, it looks like Mance's 3 low strings are wound the opposite direction around the post. He sure had his own sound. I love the way he plays and sings.
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I prefer Mance's picking on beat up Sovereign to a slick session player on 3k Martin any day.
He plays a beautiful run from 1.04 - 1.07. Too bad it doesn't show his fretting hand at that time.
Is it neccessary to play his A Position Blues in Dropped D to get that Lipscomb sound? Been learning "Goin' Down Slow" and "Shake, Shake, Mama"- I can't get used to it.
I think I modify the arrangements to standard tuning.
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Hi Blues Vintage,
It is absolutely necessary to play his songs in A that he played in dropped-D in dropped-D to get his sound. The whole purpose of playing in A that way is to get the low root of the IV chord. Listen to "Goin' Down Slow" in the first verse. It's one of those 12-bar blues that starts the first two four-bar phrases in the IV chord. When he opens those first two phrases in the IV chord, that low D sixth string just honks. Do it in A in standard tuning and it will sound wimpy by comparison.
I don't understand why you need to see what he's doing at 1:04--1:07 to figure it out. Use your ears. He's going to a V7 chord and from there to a IV7 chord. That gives you a head start.
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I'll figure it out eventually but I don't have your quick bright transcribe skills, John. Actually, you're the only country blues author whose TAB books are dead on balls accurate.
The late Woody Mann being a close second. I meant it makes it a lot easier to see a close up of his fretting hand at the time of that run.
I'm gon' try it again in dropped D, if it don't works for me I just wrap my thumb on the F# in standard. I don't feel it sounds wimpy, it just gives it a different flavor.
I think there's little difference when playing parts of the song, the signature lick, stuff around E chord etc. - if a I may quote banjochris "particularly on the tunes in A, sometimes it's a little difficult to tell if he's tuned in drop D or not. The A tunes where he doesn't retune tend to have either no IV chord or a very brief allusion to one".
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Hi Blues Vintage,
If you keep figuring things out by ear, you get better at it and start recognizing where things live on the neck. In the passage in the Mance performance, it can be helpful just to try to identify the notes he's hitting with his thumb in the bass, first. Once you're got those figured out, you can go after the notes he's picking with his finger in the treble. Faculties sharpen with use. Best of luck with that.
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I'll figure it out eventually but I don't have your quick bright transcribe skills, John. Actually, you're the only country blues author whose TAB books are dead on balls accurate.
The late Woody Mann being a close second. I meant it makes it a lot easier to see a close up of his fretting hand at the time of that run.
I'm gon' try it again in dropped D, if it don't works for me I just wrap my thumb on the F# in standard. I don't feel it sounds wimpy, it just gives it a different flavor.
I think there's little difference when playing parts of the song, the signature lick, stuff around E chord etc. - if a I may quote banjochris "particularly on the tunes in A, sometimes it's a little difficult to tell if he's tuned in drop D or not. The A tunes where he doesn't retune tend to have either no IV chord or a very brief allusion to one".
Since I got quoted here I'll add my two cents – I agree with John completely here. When the tune needs it, you have to do it – it's absolutely essential on "Goin' Down Slow" and "Angel Child" for instance. All I meant with that quote is that he does have some A tunes where the IV isn't as prominent, and sometimes in those I suspect he's just tuned normally or if he did leave the 6th at D he's not using it much except fretting it for the E chord.
"Captain, Captain" and "Long Tall Girl" for instance are tuned standard – the first one has just a brief D chord and the second none at all.
My favorite is the one recording of "Meet Me in the Bottom" where he starts with the 6th at D and when he gets to the first E chord he cranks the 6th up to E!
Chris
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BanjoChris-
I hadn’t listened to “Meet Me in the Bottom” in a long time. He plays/tunes that 6th string so perfectly in time with the song. Do you think this was a planned move, or maybe he realized he was in Dropped-D and tuned up on the fly? Either way, it sounds so good.
RE: “Going Down Slow” That dropped D really defines the sound of the whole song for me. Mance seems to emphasize that low note in his first solo too.
I am going to make it a point to use the word “honks” more often.
Cheers!
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BanjoChris-
I hadn’t listened to “Meet Me in the Bottom” in a long time. He plays/tunes that 6th string so perfectly in time with the song. Do you think this was a planned move, or maybe he realized he was in Dropped-D and tuned up on the fly? Either way, it sounds so good.
RE: “Going Down Slow” That dropped D really defines the sound of the whole song for me. Mance seems to emphasize that low note in his first solo too.
I am going to make it a point to use the word “honks” more often.
Cheers!
I think if it was an accident, it was an accident he was absolutely prepared for!
Chris
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Night Time Is The Right Time
Mance Lipscomb – Vocals, Guitar
April 1966
Berkeley, California
E Position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr_PWp9XpTk
INTRO SOLO
Listen here, baby, what I’m goin’ to say to you
I want you to know, baby, I got the bye-bye blues
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love
When you’re out late at night, baby, I can't rest
Well, even the food like honey, baby, it won’t digest
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love
SOLO
Grabbed my hat this morning, she followed me to the door
She says "Come back Daddy, you don’t have to go"
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love, with the one you love
Cried last night, cried the whole night long
Cried last night, I cried the whole night long
I didn’t miss my loved one, until she had gone
SOLO
You ain't gonna miss your water, ‘til your well go dry
Ain't gonna miss your loved one, until she say goodbye
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love, with the one you love
SOLO
Don't the moon look pretty, shinin’ down through the trees?
I can see my woman, when she don't see me
Night time is the right time, be with the one you love, with the one you love
OUTRO SOLO
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Blues In G
Listening to some live Lipscomb and noticed that some of his lyrics are exactly the same, while others are almost completely different.
Like this one below (only 1 verse matches the Arhoolie recording). Corrections are welcome of course.
https://www.wolfgangs.com/music/mance-lipscomb/audio/20053562-10150.html?tid=4812060
track 16
Mance Lipscomb – Vocals, Guitar
May 6, 1966
Los Angeles, California
G position
Well, I guess I play a little blues and see how that gon’ sound, somebody may be blue here, hope you ain’t coming up after this
INTRO SOLO
Went down to your house, had your doors all locked
Went down to your house this mornin’, you had your doors all locked
I couldn’t get in, ‘cause you had my ways all/on blocked
I ain’t gonna be fool/food, for you baby no more
Ain’t gonna be fool/food, for you baby no more
I done made it up in my mind, baby, to let you go
You know you didn’t want me, why did you run that stall?
Know you didn’t want me, baby, why did you run that stall?
I can get more women, than a passenger train can haul
My baby quit me, throwed all my clothes outdoor
My woman quit me, throwed my clothes outdoor
That’s alright, baby, you gon’ reap just what you sow
SOLO
Ever woke in the mornin’, in a big bed by yourself
Ever got up in the mornin’, in a big bed by yourself
Felt for your little baby, and she had done left
Somebody, somebody been talking to you
I know somebody, babe, been talking to you
I don’t need nobody to tell me, I can watch the way you do
SOLO
Could be tomorrow, maybe a week or two
Could be tomorrow, maybe a week or two
But the way you done me, coming back home to you
OUTRO SOLO
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Run that stall is right for sure –
Chris
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Alright, I never heard that expression and google neither.
I guess Mance meant something like this (from the Cambridge Dictionary "Stall");
If you stall a person, you delay them or prevent them from doing something for a period of time.
To delay taking action or avoid giving an answer in order to have more time to make a decision or get an advantage.
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It pops up sometimes in blues lyrics I think in the context of stringing someone along – two I can think of off the top of my head – Lemon Jefferson sings it in "Right of Way" and Luke Jordan uses "carry no stall" in other words carry on no stall in one of the takes of "Church Bell."
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Frank Stokes sings it in verse 2 of "Mistreatin' Blues",
Well, if you don't want me, a-mama, you don't have to run no stall
I can find more good gals than a passenger train can haul
An act of deception. The term dates back to the 19th century (Partridge) and figured in a contemporary American catchphrase in Swartwood's 'Choice Slang' (1915):
"You've got more stalls than a stable" (Stephen Calt - Barrelhouse Words)
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It occurs in a ton of blues lyrics, usually rhymed with "haul".
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Bumble Bee
Mance Lipscomb – Vocals, Guitar
May 2, 1964
Berkeley, California
E Position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA6FfAX7sKk
INTRO SOLO
Bumble bee, bumble bee, please come back to me
Bumble bee, bumble bee, please come back to me
You got the best old stinger, any bumble bee I ever seen
Now, you stung me this morning, I been looking for him all day long
Now, you stung me this morning, been looking for him all day long
Had me to the place once, hate to see my bumble bee leave home
Hmmm, wonder where my bumble bee gone
I begin to wonder, where my bumble bee gone
He stung me this morning, I been reckless all day long
Well, I can’t stand to hear you, buzz, buzz, buzz, come here bumble bee I want you to stop your fuss
You's my bumble bee, and you know your stuff
Oh, sting me bumble bee, ‘til I get enough
Hmmm, stinger long as my right arm
Oh, he got a stinger, long as my right arm
He stung me this morning, I been reckless all day long
My bum (sic) bee first left me I, thought I didn’t even care
When he first left me, thought I didn’t even care
You done come back home, I can’t stand to see him go nowhere
Hmmm, wonder where my bumble bee gone
Yes, I begin to wonder, where my bumble bee gone
He stung me this morning, I been looking for him all day long
OUTRO
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Thanks for posting this, Blues Vintage. I'm hearing just a couple of places differently.
4.2 YOU'S my bumble bee . . .
6.1 MY bumble bee first met me . . .
6.3 HE done come back home
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I agree with 4.2.
I think he misspeaks at 6.1
I think "you" is right at 6.3
Thanks for the input. I've got a Charley Patton song coming up.
EDITED TO ADD; 6.3 NOT 6.2 CORRECTION.
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This is what I'm hearing: (changes to first and third line)
My bum (sic) bee first left me I, thought I didn’t even care
When he first left me, thought I didn’t even care
He done come back home, I can’t stand to see him go nowhere
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I thought about "left" too in the first line but it really sounds like "met", but I make that change 'cause it he certainly sings it in the second line.
You VS He, is tough. I keep "you" for now but keep listening.