Topic: Josh White Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Josh White played "Down On Me" out of Vestapol as he did so many of the religious songs he recorded in the early-mid '30s.  We've already heard a version of this song by the Alabama singer Doc Reed.  Here is Josh White's version:



SOLO

REFRAIN: Down on me, down on me, my Lord
Looks like everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

Mose, Moses, don't you get lost
Smite that rock and come on 'cross
Like everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

REFRAIN: Down on me, down on me, my Lord
Everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

My dear sister's dead and gone
She left me here to follow on
Like everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

REFRAIN: Down on me, down on me, my Lord
Looks like everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

If I could, I surely would
Stand on that rock where Moses stood
Like everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

REFRAIN: Down on me, down on me, my Lord
Like everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

SOLO X 2

What I want her to stay here for?
This old earth wasn't no friend to her
Like everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

REFRAIN: Down on me, down on me, my Lord
Like everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

REFRAIN: Down on me, down on me, my Lord
Like everybody in this whole wide world is down on me

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Josh White was once again in Vestapol for his rendition of "Four and Twenty Elders".  The song has an unusually sedate rhythmic treatment in the guitar.  The refrain has a really pretty dwell at the end of the third line.  Here is Josh White's recording of the song:



SOLO

REFRAIN: Now, four and twenty elders on their knees, Lord
Four and twenty elders on their knees
They'll all rise together and face the rising sun, Lord,
Oh Lord, have mercy if you please

Now, I see my dear old father on his knees, Lord,
See my dear old father on his knees
All rise together and face the rising sun, Lord,
Oh Lord, have mercy if you please

Now, if I was around that altar on our knees, Lord
If I was around the altar on our knees
All rise together and face the rising sun, Lord,
Oh Lord, have mercy if you please

I see my dear old sister on her knees, Lord
See my dear old sister on her knees
All rise together and face the rising sun, Lord,
Oh Lord, have mercy if you please

REFRAIN: Now, four and twenty elders on their knees, Lord
Four and twenty elders on their knees
They'll all rise together and face the rising sun, Lord,
Oh Lord, have mercy if you please

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Josh White's rendition of "Good Gal" is justifiably admired as one of the real ace performances in Vestapol.  Here it is:



SOLO

Aw, you may say that I am changing fast
Things in life don't never last
REFRAIN: Good gal, says I don't love you no more
Good gal, good gal, says I don't love you no more

Aw, you used to treat me so low-down
Treat me like I was your only hound
REFRAIN: Good gal, don't love you no, no
Good gal, good gal, says I don't love you no more

Aw, you used to treat me like a dog
I done learned to jump from broad to broad
REFRAIN: Good gal, don't love you no more
Good gal, good gal, says I don't love you no more

SOLO

You remember, you promised to treat me, treat me right
Started your lyin', stayin' out all night
REFRAIN: Good gal, says I don't love you no more
Good gal, good gal, says I don't love you no more

I think it's time, 'cause you plays too fast
You'll find yourself with a broken yas-yas-yas
REFRAIN: Good gal, says I don't love you no more
Good gal, good gal, says I don't love you no more

SOLO

Well, I might as well tell you the facts
Got a good gal, Lord, she's tight like that
REFRAIN: Good gal, says I don't love you no more
Good gal, good gal, says I don't love you no more

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Josh White, once again accompanying himself out of Vestapol, is joined by a second guitarist (anyone know who it is?), playing out of E position in standard tuning, for "While the Blood Runs Warm In Your Veins".  Here is the duo's performance of the song.  In a service setting, I'm sure there were more verses sung:



SOLO

REFRAIN: While the blood's running warm in your veins
While the blood's running warm in your veins
You better get yourself religion, and try to serve the Lord
While the blood's running warm in your veins

REFRAIN: Yes, while the blood's running warm in your veins
While the blood's running warm in your veins
You better get yourself religion, and try to serve the Lord
While the blood's running warm in your veins

SOLO

Now, must Jesus bear this cross alone?
And all the world go free
Now, there's a cross, yes, for everyone
And there's a cross for me

REFRAIN: Now, while the blood's running warm in your veins
While the blood's running warm in your veins
Better get yourself religion, and try to serve the Lord
While the blood's running warm in your veins

All best,
Johnm

[dj]

That's Buddy Moss on the second guitar on those 1935 religious songs.  White returned the favor, backing Moss on several of his songs from the same set of sessions.

[Johnm]

Thanks for that information, dj.  I'll make the attribution in Weeniepedia.
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Here is another track from 1935 on which I assume Josh White was paired with seconding guitarist Buddy Moss.  Buddy takes a much more active part on this one, "Trying To Get Home", and it must have really been fun for the two ace players to operate together.  Buddy matches Josh, bend for bend.  In fact, the two players take an unusual approach for this duet.  I believe they're both working out of Vestapol, but Buddy is operating exclusively in a single string capacity, no chords, just shadowing the bends Josh does, but an octave higher.  Here is the track:



SOLO

REFRAIN: I'm wadin' through deep water, tryin' to get home
I'm wadin' through deep water, tryin' to get home
I'm wadin' through deep water, Lord, I'm wadin' through deep water
Yes, I'm wadin' through deep waters tryin' to get home

Now, the road seems rough and rocky, tryin' to get home
Lord, the road seem rough and rocky, tryin' to get home
Now, the road seems rough and rocky, Lord, the road seems rough and rocky
Yes, the road seem rough and rocky, tryin' to get home

Gonna tell god how you treat me, when I get home
Gonna tell God how you treat me, when I get home
Gonna tell God how you treat me, gonna tell God how you treat me
Gonna tell God yow you treat me, when I get home

SOLO

Cryin' Lord, Lord, Lord, when I get home
Cryin' Lord, Lord, Lord's tryin' to get home
Cryin' Lord, Lord, Lord, cryin' Lord, Lord, Lord
Cryin' Lord, Lord, Lord, tryin' to get home

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
On "Got A Key To the Kingdom", Buddy Moss tracks Josh White's playing even more closely than on "Trying To Get Home", if that is possible.  Josh is working again in Vestapol, tuned quite low, and Buddys tracking of Josh's vocal is very effective.  Here is the track:



SOLO

REFRAIN: God knows, I've got a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm
I've got a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm

Now, when you get in trouble, and you know you haven't done no wrong
Just call up Central up in Heaven, ask King Jesus to come to the phone

REFRAIN: God knows, He's got a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm
I've got a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm

SOLO

Don't you want a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do you no harm?
Get a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do you no harm

Now, they took John the Baptist, and placed him in the kettle of oil
Angels cam down from Heaven, and they say that oil wouldn't boil

'Cause John had a key to the Kingdom, and the world couldn't do him no harm
Had a key to the Kingdom, and the world couldn't do him no harm

SOLO

Now, Lord, I've got a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm
Got a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm

Now, they took Paul and Silas, and bound them in jail, below
And the angels came down from Heaven, unlocked that jailhouse door

'Cause they had a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm
Got a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm

SOLO

REFRAIN: God knows, I've got a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm
Got a key to the Kingdom, and the world can't do me no harm

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Josh White recorded "My Soul Is Gonna Live With God" solo, once accompanying himself in Vestapol tuning.  Here is his recording of the song:



SOLO

REFRAIN: Well, I don't care where they bury my body,
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body,
'Cause my soul is gonna live with God, live with God

Now, I'm goin' on down to the river
Stick my sword up in the sand
Gonna shout, "My trouble's over,
Lord, I've made it to the Promised Land."

REFRAIN: God knows, I don't care where they bury my body,
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body,
'Cause my soul is gonna live with God, live with God

SOLO

REFRAIN: Well, I don't care where they bury my body,
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body,
'Cause my soul is gonna live with God, live with God

Now, if I was a liar
I'm gonna tell you what I would do
I'd get down on my bended knees
And pray 'til I come through

REFRAIN: God knows, I don't care where they bury my body,
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body,
'Cause my soul is gonna live with God, live with God

Now, meet me, Jesus, meet me
Meet me in the middle of the air
And if these wings should fail me, Lord,
Won't you meet me with another pair?

REFRAIN: I don't care where they bury my body,
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body,
For my soul is gonna live with God, live with God

SOLO

REFRAIN: Well then, I don't care where they bury my body,
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body
Lord, I don't care where they bury my body,
'Cause my soul is gonna live with God, live with God

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Josh White was back in Vestapol for "Bad Depression Blues", once again accompanying himself with great skill and aplomb.  He quotes Blind Blake's "Police Dog Blues" in his third solo, but then returns to his own territory.  Here is his recording of the song:



SOLO

Says, folks, I'm gonna tell you what depression has done to me
Aw, folks, I'm gonna tell you what depression has done to me
Says, it robbed me of my brown-skinned woman, and I'm worried as I can be

When I had my money I had women and friends hangin' around
When I had my money I had women and friends hangin' around
I done lost my money and my women and friends just can't be found

SOLO

Lord, my flour barrel's empty, Lord, my money is gone
So my flour barrel is empty, Lord, my money is gone
So I'm trying to sing you, people, about this depression song

SOLO

This depression's robbed me, mmmmmmmm, but
Says, I've got no women and, Lord, my friends is gone
Besides bein' broke, I'm lyin', left alone

SOLO

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
For "Did You Read that Letter?", Josh White was once again joined by Buddy Moss, with both guitarist working out of Vestapol and Buddy tracking Josh White's rendition of the melody an octave higher, matching him bend for bend.  Here is the duo's rendition of the song:



SOLO

REFRAIN: Now did you read that letter, all night, all night, all night?
Did you read that letter, brother, all night, read it all night long?

Now King Jesus wrote that letter
And I know he wrote it right
Every time I read that letter
Well, it fills my heart with light

REFRAIN: Did you read that letter, all night, all night, all night?
Now did you read that letter, all night, read it all night long?

Now, once I was a sinner
And I sinned both night and day
And my Lord heard me sinning
And he took my sins away

REFRAIN: Did you read that letter, all night, all night, (guitar finishes line)?
Now did you read that letter, all night, read it all night long?

SOLO

REFRAIN: Now did you read that letter, all night, all night, all night?
Did you read that letter, all night, read it all night long?

Now, King Jesus wrote that letter
And I know he wrote it true
Every time I read that letter
Well, it fills me through and through

REFRAIN: Did you read that letter, all night, all night, all night?
Did you read that letter, all night, read it all night long?

SOLO

REFRAIN: Did you read that letter, all night, all night, all night?
Did you read that letter, all night, read it all night long?

Now, once I was a sinner
And I sinned both night and day
And my Lord heard me sinning
And He took my sins away

REFRAIN: Now did you read that letter, all night, all night, all night?
Did you read that letter, all night, read it all night long?

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Josh White did a fine version of "Motherless Children" in low-tuned Vestapol  Here it is:



SOLO

REFRAIN: Motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead
Motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead
They don't have nowhere to go, got to go from door to door
Motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead

Friends can't treat you like your mother do, when your mother is dead
Friends can't treat you like your mother do, when your mother is dead
Friends can't treat you like your mother do, 'cause your friends don't understand
Motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead

SOLO

Your dad don't treat you like your mother do, when your mother is dead
Dad can't treat you like your mother do, when your mother is dead
Dad can't treat you like your mother do, 'cause your dad don't understand
Motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead

REFRAIN: Oh, motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead
Motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead
(Guitar finishes refrain)

Oh, motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead
Motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead
They don't have nowhere to go, got to go from door to door
Motherless children have a hard time when the mother is dead

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Yet another religious number for which Josh White chose to accompany himself out of Vestapol tuning is "My Father Is a Husbandman".  The level of musicianship he maintained on these religious songs in Vestapol is certainly very high.  Here is his recording of the song:



SOLO

REFRAIN: Good Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
My Father is a husbandman

Who's that coming all dressed in black?
My Father is a husbandman
Looks like the children that just turned back
My Father is a husbandman

REFRAIN: Good Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
My Father is a husbandman

Went down the valley one day to pray
(Guitar plays response)
I met old Satan on my way
My Father is a husbandman

REFRAIN: Good Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
My Father is a husbandman

What do you reckon he said to me?
(Guitar plays response)
"You too young to serve God every day."
My Father is a husbandman

REFRAIN: Good Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
Yes, my Father is a husbandman

SOLO

REFRAIN: Good Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
My Father is a husbandman

REFRAIN: Good Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
Lord, I'm a true vine
My Father is a husbandman

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Josh White was tuned low in Vestapol for "Lay Some Flowers On My Grave", a song done to the tune of "Careless Love" that Blind Willie McTell also recorded.  Here is Josh White's performance of the song:



INTRO

You must lay, lay some flowers on my grave
Now lay, lay some flowers on my grave
Oh my father, he is dead, and the note he left, it said
"You must lay some flowers on my grave."

Now, my father was a drunkard and a gambler, too
And he left me to sing these lonesome blues
Now, I hope my poor heart will change, 'cause I never want to die the same
You must lay some flowers on my grave

Now, if I had a-listened to what my poor mother said
Now, if I had a-listened to what my poor mother said
Now, if I had a-listened to what my poor mother said
Lord, I wouldn't be here cryin' 'bout this life I've led

Put a wreath of flowers at my back
Then you'll know the poor boy's satisfied
Put a gold chain on my breast, than you'll know I'm gone to rest
You must lay some flowers on my grave

Now, when you hear that church bell tone
Oh, when you hear that church bell tone
Now, when you hear that , hear that old church bell tone
Aw, you'll know that the poor boy's dead and gone

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

NOTE:  I found this post, inexplicably, in the Leadbelly Lyrics thread and moved it over here.  It was made by member afbach, and was evidently his first post.
Johnm

Offline afbach
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Re: Leadbelly lyrics
« Reply #158 on: July 27, 2017, 08:49:19 AM »
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Hope this is okay - Josh White's "T.B. Blues" from Josh White Sings the Blues vol 1 & 2 - I left in "Deadville" but it sure sounds like "Denver"

It's too late, too late, too late, too late, too late
It's too late, too late, too late, too late, too late
I'm on my way to Deadville and God knows I can't hesitate

And it's on my feet, couldn' even but walk down the street[2]
Where the men a-lookin' at me, from my head to my feet
But it's late now, that T.B.s killin' me
You know I'm like a prisoner, always workin' this chain

T.B.'s alright to have if your friends'd treat you so low down
T.B.'s alright to have, friends'd treat you so low down
Don't you ask 'em for no favors, they'll stop comin' around

Mmmmmm... the T.B.'s killin' me
Mmmmmm... the T.B.'s killin' me
I wish I was dead and buried in the deep blue sea.

T.B.'s alright to have if your friends'd treat you so low down
T.B.'s alright to have, friends'd treat you so low down
Don't you ask 'em for no favors, they'll stop comin' around

Mmmmmmmmmm, the T.B.s killin' me
Holler lord, T.B.s killing me
I've got a-too-bercolosis, consumption is killin' me