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Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: DrySouthern on September 04, 2010, 02:01:01 PM
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This may be old news, but I think the disputed fifth verse in Johnson's "Deal" is this:
https://youtu.be/ZCA6KkYMKSE
The camp's A, B, and C
Camp A, B, and C
It's camp A, B, and C, Good Lord
On that Gulfport Island Road
It has been printed as, "Let's camp, baby, and sing," but in the second line he clearly says "C" (or "see"), with no "-ng" sound at all.
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from "robert Johnson the new transcriptions";
They count they pick and sing
count they pick and sing
let's count and pick and sing good lord
on that gulfport island road
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It sounds to me like he sings "It's camp A, B, and C" the first two lines and then "It's gal A, B and C" in the last.
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I've always thought this verse alludes to the previous verse in the song thus:
My captain's so mean on me
My captain's so mean on me
My captain's so mean on me, good lord
On this Gulfport Island Road
Captain, he can't see
Captain, he can't see
That captain, he can't see, good lord
On that Gulfport Island Road
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I'm with Scratchy on this one.
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I always thought these weren't words, just sounds or nonsense syllables. Everything that has every been suggested seemed to me like a real stretch.
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I know the transcription I have from the Columbia box which I believe was released in '90 shows and explains that verse as nonsense syllables, but perhaps studies coming afterwards may've made sense out of them.
My interest is piqued... Any more ideas?
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I don't know what the line is in the 5th verse, but seems to me that in the third repeat of the line, Johnson pretty clearly sings "and sing" to me.
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...the Columbia box ... shows and explains that verse as nonsense syllables...
I find it hard to believe that a musician as meticulous and well-prepared as Johnson seems to have been would have garbled a line three times in a row. And it doesn't sound like scat singing to me. Having said that, I have absolutely no idea what the line really is. The closest approximation I can get is "That gal can play and sing".
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I haven't listened to this song for many years but I believe the railroad referred to in the song is 'The Gulf and Ship Island Railroad,' and I think Johnson sang as 'the Gulf, Ship Island road,' (or 'Gulf Ship Island line') I can't quite recall, so not 'Gulfport Island Road'.'
Now I've just listened to this and it sure sounds like he called that railroad the 'Gulfport Island road' as earlier transcribed by many, I guess.
Check me, please.
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The Gulf and Ship Island Railway ran from Gulfport MS to Jackson MS, and became part of the Illinois Central system in 1925. It is possible that "Gulfport Island Road" was a colloquial contraction, since Gulfport was the southern terminus. Most of the freight hauled was lumber.
Sent from Mr. Page's iPhone using Tapatalk
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The Gulf and Ship Island Railway ran from Gulfport MS to Jackson MS, and became part of the Illinois Central system in 1925. It is possible that "Gulfport Island Road" was a colloquial contraction, since Gulfport was the southern terminus. Most of the freight hauled was lumber.
I believe you're right about the colloquialism. In one of the verses, I think the last, Johnson signs "Gulf and Port Island Road," which sounds like a slip for the real name.
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I've come around to the view that the lines in question in verse five are "That gal, baby, can sing".
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Listened to this today and still could make no sense of it. Not sure you could necessarily call it scat singing though, I'm just not putting it together as intelligible lyrics (yet). Maybe the transcription I mentioned before is so embedded in my brain that I can't hear anything else.
Either that, or it'll be like some of the other tunes I've listened to for years and only recently have I been able to decipher what was actually being said. A couple of Barbecue Bob and Charlie Patton tunes come to mind as examples.
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In "Stones in my Passway," Johnson sings:
https://youtu.be/lu1lusKcMy8
I got three legs to truck on, boys, please don't block my road
I got three legs to truck on, boys, please don't block my road
I've been feelin' deceived by my rider, babe, I'm booked and I got to go
What does "three legs to truck on" refer to? Only thing I could come up with is that maybe he is riding a lame mule or horse.
Got any ideas?
Wayne
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Some people, including me, hear 'three lanes to truck on' rather than 'three legs'.
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And pretty sure it's "ashamed" instead of deceived in line 3. But I agree, "lanes."
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there's a scene in an episode of Round The Horne where Kenneth Williams is attempting to insure his legs.
Lloyd's of London representative: How many legs do you have?
Williams: Erm ... three
Lloyd's: I beg your pardon!
Williams: Oh sorry ... I was counting my umbrella.
this may or may not be relevant.
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there's a scene in an episode of Round The Horne where Kenneth Williams is attempting to insure his legs.
Lloyd's of London representative: How many legs do you have?
Williams: Erm ... three
Lloyd's: I beg your pardon!
Williams: Oh sorry ... I was counting my umbrella.
this may or may not be relevant.
Ha! A possibility...
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Some people, including me, hear 'three lanes to truck on' rather than 'three legs'.
Sam Charters in his 1973 Oak booklet of RJ lyrics ventured "three lanes to truck on" (accompanied by a ?) and he had "shamed". So, despite folk who always criticised SC's ears he wasn't far off the mark. Certainly far better than the 1969 Immediate Music UK booklet of transcriptions which was published to anticipate the release of RJ vol.2 in 1970. But I'm drivelling on as usual.
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Cf. Celie's usage of what some hear:
http://www.cbc.ca/landandsea/2013/04/the-one-and-only-celie-1.html (http://www.cbc.ca/landandsea/2013/04/the-one-and-only-celie-1.html)
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Been a long time since my college German classes, but I found this link below.
http://books.google.com/books?id=kWP0AAAAMAAJ&q=%22three+legs+to+truck%22&dq=%22three+legs+to+truck%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hmtwUrT3IOmysATj-YGIBw&ved=0CF0Q6AEwCA (http://books.google.com/books?id=kWP0AAAAMAAJ&q=%22three+legs+to+truck%22&dq=%22three+legs+to+truck%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hmtwUrT3IOmysATj-YGIBw&ved=0CF0Q6AEwCA)
I believe "'Three legs' sind nicht etwa drei beine" means something like "three legs" don't mean three legs, and I believe "kein sexuelles Code-Wort" means not a sexual code word. It may be that the author is looking at the possibility that the third leg is a penis and rejecting it.
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I sorta took it to mean he had three more stops (or "legs") on a trip before he got home and he was telling everybody (maybe the police, more than any?) to stay outta his way.
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I haven't listened to the song in years and I don't claim much but I'm pretty sure I always 'heard' this as
I've got three days to truck home
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I just listened to the verse in question a couple of times (albeit on the computer). I can't determine with a high level of confidence what he actually sings in the "three legs/lanes...on/home" line. The suggested meanings make sense with the various combinations, but what he actually sang and specifically had in mind when he sang it remains an open question--to me, anyway.
Like Chris, I hear "ashamed" as well, but I have difficulty clearly making out the word(s) that precede it. He either sings it very fast, running two words together, or flubs it right before "ashamed." "I've been ?? ashamed by my rider," Unfortunately, there isn't an alternate take of this one.
As another relationship gone wrong song, one can make a case for the various hearings and interpretations, but without some independent evidence, I wouldn't bet the family jewels on being able to arrive at the patented correct answer based on this cut alone.
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Like Chris, I hear "ashamed" as well, but I have difficulty clearly making out the word(s) that precede it. He either sings it very fast, running two words together, or flubs it right before "ashamed." "I've been ?? ashamed by my rider," Unfortunately, there isn't an alternate take of this one.
Pretty sure it's as WayneS had it at the top of the thread, except for "ashamed."
I've been feelin' ashamed by my rider...
Chris
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I'll have to listen to it on CD and also to the LP when I get a chance, Chris. Sometimes the sound can get clipped in the process of going from one medium to another. But I doubt that these old ears will perform any better. Sometimes it's just the loose nut behind the wheel--or in this case, under the headphones.
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Thanks to all. I tried to find out what various blues artists thoght the line was when they sang it, and couldn't tell whether they were saying "legs" or "lanes" either.
I think it must be my age. A few days ago I was listening to a National Public Radio program in which it was noted that Syria was in a state of turmoil and Iraqis (sp?) were beleaguered by roadblocks manned by insurgents, such that several batallions had to be called in to quell problems. I heard it as the Sierras being in a state of turmoil and the Rockies beleaguered by insurgents, with several Italians being called in to quell problems.
If it weren't for those Italians....
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Maybe this can explain RJ's verse. Trucking was a famous dance craze around 1936 that predated the jitterbug. Since the 1950s I have had a 78 recorded in Dallas In June 1937 at the same June session as RJ by the Crystal Springs Ramblers, a western swing band from Ft. Worth. It is titled "Swinging and TRUCKING. So RJ in my opinion is bragging about his prowess as a DANCER and saying please don't block my road. I hear road. So trucking was definitely a dance craze, especially in the southwest. RJ always had a lot of black slang and sayings in his lyrics. gayle dean wardlow
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Makes sense Gayle.
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hello friend,
that also gives a much more pg meaning to blind boy fuller's 'trucking my blues away'?
or maybe i just have a dirty mind? :P
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Also new meaning to the Harlem Hamfats' Lets Get Drunk and Trunk. Thanks for that detail.
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If one look at the whole lyrics, Mr.Johnson conjures up quite a darkly themed setting here. For me "three legs to truck home" would then appear the most likely to me:
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~music/blues/simp.html (http://xroads.virginia.edu/~music/blues/simp.html)
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Here are the lyrics I hear RJ singing. Remember you have to look back at the earlier verses to get his real meaning. He sang earlier "I got a woman that I'm loving/but she don't mean a thing' Then he sang a verse:
"Now You're trying to take my life and all my lovin' too,"
Then he adds the verse about trucking away.
"I got three legs to truck on/boys please don't block my road (2)
I can see in the shape of my rider/ Babe, it's good times/I gotta go."
What does he mean? The shape of his rider (the woman he has been screwing) is either happy and he left her with "good times' or he is happy to one more time escape from one of those sand feet (evil hearted) women he sang about that might have taken his life as he sang earlier in the song. So that's good times for him also that he can use his THREE LEGS to truck on to make his escape. Remember he sang his enemies had overtaken him at last/ and they had stones all in his path.
So that is is my interpretation for you to consider. Your ears are as good as mine. I believe this makes sense. RJ always uses a lot of slang as Elizabeth and Willie Moore told me and they knew him personally in Robinsonville.
I do not hear the word ashamed at all. The one word I cannot capture or figure out is when he sings:
"When you hear me howlin' in your (pearazero)?/open the door and let me in." in a previous verse. Anyone hear what that word is. It is some type slang but I have never encountered it. Remember your deciphering of his lyrics can be just as good as mine. I hold no special charm in hearing his lyrics. gayle dean wardlow
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For the line just mentioned I hear: When you hear me howlin' in MY PASSWAY ROAD, PLEASE open the door and let me in.
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I hear it as "let's count A, B and C".
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Hello all. This is my first post, so I hope it works. dj has it close to what I always heard as "that gal indeed can sing".
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Is there not already a Robert Johnson lyrics thread? Sorry if there is and I didn't find it.
So...what about this verse of one of the takes of "Stop Breakin' Down"?
https://youtu.be/NMD9wUWpKsA
Now, that fiddle player, now, use rosin on his bow.
That don?t make you fill a crowd, baby, you know, it don't go.
That's the best I can come up with. Since the "breakdown" was a dance and a music style, maybe he's referring to a fiddle player trying to fill a hall with a crowd? Makes more sense than "feel a crowd" but still not sure that's what he's saying. Any other ideas?
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I've always heard the line (under influence of the transcription with the Columbia box set) as:
Now, that fiddle player, now, use rosin on his bow.
If that don?t make the fiddle cry, you know, it don't go
But, as I've said before, I know better than to take what I hear as Gospel. Some of these tunes I've listened to for a long time and only just recently come to realize (sometimes with the help of the nice folks here, who have much better ears than mine) what the lyrics really are :)
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Sounds like:
If that don?t make YOUR fiddle cry, BABY, you know it don't go
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Hi all,
I merged an older topic on the lyrics to "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" with the new Robert Johnson Lyrics thread.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks! I agree on "your fiddle cry, baby, you know it don't go."
And listening to this song just reinforces my awe of Robert Johnson's songwriting and singing. He creates a psychosexual nightmare of being unable to walk down the street without women "breaking down" on him. And when he tries to deal with one of them by giving her the "99 degree " (a dance step? sex? an interrogation? a beating?) she responds by pulling a gun on him. And all he's trying to do is "consolate" his mind. Marvelous stuff, And what about keeping the slide on his pinky through the whole piece, both takes, just so he can do that one slide at the end?!
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Hi all,
I'm returning to an issue first brought up at the very beginning of this thread, i.e., the lyrics to the fifth verse of "Last Fair Deal Gone Down". As it happens, there is a particularly clean version of the song on the JSP set, "I've Got The Blues, But I'm Too Damn Mean To Cry". Listening to that version, the lyrics to verse five come out pretty clearly as:
The Camp A, B, and C
Camp A, B, and C
There's Camp A, B, and C, good Lord,
On that Gulfport Island road
I remember reading that at Parchman Farm, different sections of the institution were designated by different letter names, with the letter names signifying differing degrees of security in operation. I think in the Robert Johnson lyric, what is being referred to is work camps, which I've similarly read of elsewhere (sorry I can't remember where) as having letter name designations. Incidentally, in both verses where Robert Johnson sings the title phrase, it sounds like he is singing
It's the last fair deal goin' down
rather than
It's the last fair deal gone down
All best,
Johnm
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I had a quick glance at Max Haymes' Railroadin' Some to see what he says about the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad, and he mentions that initially the construction work was carried out by convict labour, so it may be that the work camps just kept their alphabetical designations when they changed over to free labour.
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Here is a link to an essay that Max Haymes wrote back in 1998 about the song in which he hears the word "gal" (instead of "camp") in the verse. Earlier in this thread some posts suggest the word is "gal." Haymes makes no mention of this verse in the essay he wrote for the JSP set, so it's not clear whether his position has changed. I'm with you John; I hear the word "camp."
http://www.earlyblues.com/Essay%20-%20Gulfport%20Island%20Road%20Blues.htm
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"Now You're trying to take my life and all my lovin' too,"
Then he adds the verse about trucking away.
"I got three legs to truck on/boys please don't block my road (2)
I can see in the shape of my rider/ Babe, it's good times/I gotta go."
I believe it's:
"I'm booked and I got to go"
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Hi all,
I've been trying to figure out the lyrics of "From Four Until Late", for which Robert Johnson accompanied himself out of C position in standard tuning, and there is one line I've never been able to decipher to my satisfaction that I would sure appreciate some help with; it is shown in bent brackets. For that matter, the rest of the transcription is up for grabs too, if I have it wrong. I've always loved his way with this song--it is one of his most relaxed vocals, which is all to the good, as far as I'm concerned. Do you think it is possible he was singing "From four until eight . . ." and the record company stiffed the title? Just wondering because it makes more sense and you can't really hear the "l" at the end of "until" and the "l" beginning "late" being enunciated separately. Here is his performance:
https://youtu.be/yzVsizMUQvE
INTRO
From four until late I was wringing my hands and cryin'
From four until late I was wringing my hands and cryin'
I believe to my soul that your daddy's Gulfport bound
From Memphis to Norfolk is a thirty-six hour drive
From Memphis to Norfolk is a thirty-six hour drive
A man is like a prisoner and he's never satisfied
A woman is like a dresser, some man always ramblin' through its drawers
A woman is like a dresser, some man's always ramblin' through its drawers
It's caused so many men, wearin' apron overhalls
From four until late, she get with a no-good bunch and clown
From four until late, she get with a no-good bunch and clown
Now she won't do nothin' but tear a good man reputation down
When I leave this town, I'm gon' bid you fair farewell
And when I leave this town, I'm gone bid you fair farewell
And when I return again, you'll have a great long story to tell
CODA
Edited 1/19 to incorporate corrections from Prof Scratchy, harriet and banjochris
All best,
Johnm
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'she go with a no-good bunch and clown'?
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I think that's a cleaned up audio -
Here's one thats supposed to be adjusted for speed but that line sounds like "she gets with a no good bunch and clowns" to me. And "four until eight" as well.
I don't know if there's an original to cross reference posted - sometimes youtubers aren't accurate and can post the wrong version and it's been a long time since I listened to his music.
http://youtu.be/DS-b7UPeiuM
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I agree, "she get with a no-good bunch and clown" – and personally I lean toward "late" just because it sounds more poetic to me, and Johnson seemed to be striving for that. Phonetically you could make the case either way.
Chris
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Thanks very much, Prof Scratchy, Harriet and Chris. I think I'll go with "she get with a no-good bunch and clown". I couldn't make sense out of "bunching" as an adjective here, but I was just having problems hearing it all the way around. Thanks, and I will make the change.
All best,
Johnm
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Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped The Devil)
Robert Johnson - Vocals, Guitar
November 27, 1936
San Antonio, Texas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJeoYnmqbw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJeoYnmqbw)
INTRO
Mmmmmm, I's up this mornin’, ah, blues walkin' like a man
I's up this mornin', ah, blues walkin' like a man
Worried blues, give me your right hand
And the blues grabbed mama's child, tore me all upside down
Blues grabbed mama child, and it tore me all upside down
Travel on poor Bob, just can't turn you 'round
The blues, is a low-down shakin' chill (spoken: Yes, preach 'em now)
Mmmmmm, is a low-down shakin' chill
You ain't never had 'em I, hope you never will
Well, the blues, is a achin' old heart disease (spoken: Do it now, you gonna do it, tell me all about it)
The blues, is a low-down achin' heart disease
Like consumption, killing me by degree
I can study rain, oh-oh, drive, oh-oh, drive my blues
I been studyin' the rain an’, I'm gon’ drive my blues away
Goin' to the 'stil'ry, stay out there all day
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I always heard it as "three legs to truck home." A third leg traditionally refers to a penis, and I have always assumed Mr. Johnson was making some kind of sexual reference here, either proclaiming his horniness or his potency.
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Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped The Devil)
Robert Johnson - Vocals, Guitar
June 20, 1937
Dallas, Texas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJeoYnmqbw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJeoYnmqbw)
Mmmmmm got up this mornin’ ah blues walkin' like a man
Got up this mornin' ah blues walkin' like a man
Worried blues give me your right hand
And the blues fell mama's child tore me all upside down
Blues fell mama child and it tore me all upside down
Travel on poor Bob just can't turn you 'round
The blues is a lowdown shakin' chill “yes preach 'em now”
Mmmmmmm is a lowdown shakin' chill
You ain't never had 'em I hope you never will
Well the blues is a achin' old heart disease “Do it now you gon' do it tell me all about it”
The blues is a lowdown achin' heart disease
Like consumption killing me by degree
I can study rain oh oh drive oh oh drive my blues
I been study the rain an’ I'm gon’ drive my blues away
Goin' to the 'stil'ry stay out there all day
Harry –
I'd suggest "grabbed" instead of "fell" in 2.1 and 2.2
I think there's a quick "Well" at the start of 4.2
And I'd transcribe "study" as "studyin'" (he swallows it but I can hear it) in 5.2.
Chris
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Thanks Chris.
I'll go with "grabbed". I don't hear the "well" in 4.2.
Verse 5 never ceases to amaze me. Robert about to tear down the Gunter Hotel.
Since all sources also wrote "studyin'' I'll make that change but I'm not convinced.
I think Stefan Wirz has the wrong date/location of this song on his site (June 20, 1937, Dallas, Texas) or something must have come to light recently.
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Thanks Chris.
I'll go with "grabbed". I don't hear the "well" in 4.2.
Verse 5 never ceases to amaze me. Robert about to tear down the Gunter Hotel.
Since all sources also wrote "studyin'' I'll make that change but I'm not convinced.
I think Stefan Wirz has the wrong date/location of this song on his site (June 20, 1937, Dallas, Texas) or something must have come to light recently.
There's definitely something before "the" at the beginning of 4.2 – and yeah, that last verse is a killer; wish this performance could have been longer!
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I think Stefan Wirz has the wrong date/location of this song on his site (June 20, 1937, Dallas, Texas)
It must be a typo on Stefan's part, or he was copying info from a record jacket that was incorrect. The ARC master number for Preachin' Blues is SA-2632-1. The SA indicates that the song was recorded in San Antonio. Recordings made in Dallas had a DAL prefix. The correct date/place is November 27 1936/San Antonio.
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Hi Harry,
I'm hearing a couple of things differently in "Preaching Blues"
In 1.1 and 1.2 I'm hearing "I WAS" up this morning, rather than "got up this morning"
IN 1.3, I'm hearing "WELL, THE blues, give me your right hand
In 4.2, I'm hearing "BUT the blues
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Harry,
I'm hearing a couple of things differently in "Preaching Blues"
In 1.1 and 1.2 I'm hearing "I WAS" up this morning, rather than "got up this morning"
I agree John, but might be better written as "I's up this morning", easier to sing as one syllable.
Dave
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Some transcribe that as "stuttering" or "stuttering and" with a kind of stutter right after: "Oh-oh drive, Oh oh drive my blues".
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Pretty sure it's "study/studyin'," which also makes sense – he's watching and thinking about the rain.
Chris
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Thanks for helping out everybody.
Re listening I hear 1.1 "got" up this mornin' and 1.2 "I's" up this mornin'
1.3 I hear "worried"
4.2 I don't hear "but"
I took "Michael Taft, Talkin' to Myself: Blues Lyrics, 1921–1942” (Revised Edition) from the shelf.
For some reason he transcribed 2 versions of Preachin' Blues although the lyrics are identical.
Take 2 (SA-2632-2) was never found (but probably was recorded) so I'm not sure why this was done.
He transcribed 5.2 Now if it's starting a-raining I'm going to drive my blues away.
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Pretty sure it's "study/studyin'," which also makes sense – he's watching and thinking about the rain.
Chris
I agree.I`ve always thought that last verse was about distilling shine.He`s waiting for the rain to stop so that he can go out and cook up a batch of shine and have a good old booze(drive my blues away).You can`t run a still successfully in the rain as it cools the still and ruins the batch(or so I`m told!!).
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Last Fair Deal Gone Down
Not sure about some words. Don't mind the truck engine from Houston Street at the end of verse 1.
November 27, 1936
San Antonio, Texas
Robert Johnson - Vocals, Guitar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2w8if_JjfY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2w8if_JjfY)
INTRO
It's the last fair deal goin' down
Last fair deal goin' down
It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord
On that Gulfport Island Road
Eh, Ida Belle don't cry this time
Ida Belle don't cry this time
If you cry about a nickel you'll die 'bout a dime
She wouldn't cry but the money won’t mind
I like the way you do
I love the way you do
I love the way you do, good Lord
On this Gulfport Island Road
My captain's so mean on me
My captain's so mean on me
My captain's so mean on me, good Lord
On this Gulfport Island Road
Take camp A, B and C
Camp A, B and C
There's camp A, B and C, good Lord
On that Gulfport Island Road
Ah, this last fair deal goin' down
It's the last fair deal goin' down
It’s the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord
On this Gulfport Island Road
I'm working my way back home
I'm working my way back home
I'm working my way back home, good Lord
On this Gulfport Island Road
And that thing don’t keep-a ringin' so soon
That thing don't keep ringin' so soon
And that thing don’t keep-a ringin' so soon, good Lord
On that Gulfed and Port Island Road
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I think Mr Johnson sings verse 5 as:
Take Camp A B and C
Camp A B and C
That's Gal A B and C good Lord
On that Gulfport Island Road
It sounds a lot clearer if you take it down to 0.75 speed, in particular the G of 'gals' really stands out.
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Thanks for the suggestion Alexei but I don't hear it and it doesn't make sense either. I'll stick with "camp".
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I hear "That's gal" pretty clearly, Harry, without any slowdown. The fact that he has a girl in each camp makes perfect sense. RJ was a man with options.
Wax
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I'm wondering if that "camp A B C" is really an abbreviated "Cabin A, B, C"
I checked on google "cabin A, B, C on train" and those letters are sometimes used to refer to types of cabin, but I don't know about Johnson's time.
HArriet
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Could camps A, B and C be work camps? He says he's working his way back home. And his reference to the mean captain and thing ringing so soon (so early?), could be the wake-up call at the work camp?
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I think you have it right, Jean. There was a discussion earlier in the thread that noted that at Parchment Farm at that time there were work camps with letter designations and the thought was that the railroad may have used the same naming practice.
All best,
Johnm
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I took "Michael Taft, Talkin' to Myself: Blues Lyrics, 1921–1942” (Revised Edition) from the shelf.
For some reason he transcribed 2 versions of Preachin' Blues although the lyrics are identical.
Take 2 (SA-2632-2) was never found (but probably was recorded) so I'm not sure why this was done.
I just checked my source for Preachin' SA-2632-2. It was Columbia C-30034 (RJ Vol. 2), but take 2 is not on that album. 45-50 years later, I have no idea why I thought there was a take 2 on that album. One of many slip-ups and mis-transcriptions in my anthology! Sorry folks.
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OK, thanks for clarifying that Michael.
For a moment I thought there was a take 2 of Preachin' Blues out there that I missed somehow.
Preachin' Blues SA-2632-2 among others (8 songs total) was disposed by Columbia Records and utilized in WWII.
Of 9 songs (among them takes 2 of "Terraplane Blues" and "Walkin' Blues") there is no further documentation of their ultimate fate.
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Preachin' Blues SA-2632-2 among others (8 songs total) was disposed by Columbia Records and utilized in WWII.
Harry, where'd you get that info? I've never seen any listing of what the various record companies disposed of for the war effort.
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Booklet from "Robert Johnson – The Centennial Collection (CD Version)" written by Stephen C. LaVere.
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Walkin’ Blues
Robert Johnson – Vocals, Guitar
November 27, 1936
San Antonio, Texas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e1uDsid39Y (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e1uDsid39Y)
I woke up this mornin’ feelin’ ‘round for my shoes
Know by that I got these old walkin’ blues
Woke up this mornin’ feelin’ ‘round oh for my shoes
But you know by that I got these old walkin’ blues
Lord I feel like blowin’ my woh-old lonesome horn
Got up this mornin’ now little Berni-ice was gone
Lord I feel like blow-hoo my lonesome horn
Well I got up this mornin’ woh-all I had was gone
Well leave this mornin' if I have to woh-ride the blind
I’ve been mistreated an’ I don’t mind dyin’
Leavin’ this mornin’ I have to ride a blind
Babe I been mistreated baby and I don't mind dyin’
Well some people tell me that the worried blues ain't bad
Worst old feelin’ I most ever had
Some people tell me that these old worried old blues ain't bad
It's the worst old feelin’ I most ever had
She got a Elgin movement from her head down to her toes
Break in on a dollar most anywhere she goes oh
Ooh from her head down to her toes (oh honey)
Lord she break in on a dollar most anywhere she goes
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Hi Harry,
In the second and fourth lines of the first verse, I believe that he is singing,
1.2 Know BY that
1.4 But you know BY that
That's how he knows he has the Walking Blues--by the fact that he woke up feeling around for his shoes.
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Thanks for the suggestion John. Possibly. It's very hard to hear the difference but I think I leave it like this.
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I'm pretty sure it's "by", Harry. There is no hard "t" sound as there would be with "'bout", before "that" in either line. Robert Johnson's vowel sound is a little funny the second time, but I reckon it's "by".
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Definitely ‘know by that’ IMO.
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Definitely ‘know by that’ IMO.
I agree. Also that last vocal aside I'm pretty sure is "Oh, honey" instead of "All my life."
Chris
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Alright, I made the corrections. Thanks all.
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Phonograph Blues (Take 1)
Robert Johnson – Vocals, Guitar
November 23, 1936
San Antonio, Texas
Standard tuning, A position
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv_7KnkQ9r0
Beatrice, she got a phonograph, and it won't say a lonesome word
Beatrice, she got a phonograph, but it won't say a lonesome word
What evil have I done, what evil has the poor girl heard
Beatrice, I love my phonograph, but you have broke my windin’ chain
Beatrice, I love my phonograph, hoo, honey, I’ve broke my windin’ chain
And you've taken my lovin’, and give it to your other man
Now, we played it on the sofa now, we played it ‘side the wall, my needles have got rusty baby, they will not play at all
We played it on the sofa, and we played it 'side the wall
But my needles have got rusty, and it will not play at all
Beatrice, I go crazy, baby, I will lose my mind
And I go crazy, honey, I will lose my mind
Why’n’t ya bring your clothes back home, and try me one more time
She got a phonograph, and it won't say a lonesome word
She got a phonograph, hoo, won't say a lonesome word
What evil have I done, or what evil have the poor girl heard
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Thanks for posting that, Harry, it sounds spot on to me.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi everybody, I ve been working on Robert Johnson 's Stones in my Passway and trying to understand a word of the last phrase
The phrase is the final one
Lyrics on line :
I ve been feeling ashamed 'bout my rider , babe I'm booked and I got to go
What I hear is :
I m guilty and ashamed 'bout my rider ,babe I'm booked and I got to go.
I hear clearly the AND before ashamed and also I can hear the consonants in the word guilty or another similar word maybe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKwxknbeBvI
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Hi Sunflower,
This was discussed starting on page 1 of this topic.
I hear: "I been feelin' 'shamed 'bout my rider"
I think it's important to transcribe it as " feelin' " instead of " feeling " because the truncated version is pronounced more like ' fee-lan ' or ' fee-len ' which I think is the 'an' sound you are hearing. Pronouncing the g changes the pronunciation of the sound to 'ing' with a short 'i' sound. The dropped 'g' is ubiquitous in the blues.
Wax
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Thanks Waxwing , yes sure about the dropped g in the word feeling.
But you know since English is not my language, of course is not always easy to understand
Anyway the phrase " I m guilty and ashamed bout my rider" is it correct?? It seems correct to me but I m not 100% sure I mean grammatically
I was thinking that Robert did something bad to his gal (maybe he went with another one )and so he was guilty and ashamed of her.
But probably as you said he was singing "I been feelin' ashamed 'bout my rider"
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32-20 Blues
Robert Johnson – Vocals, Guitar
November 26, 1936
San Antonio, Texas
A Position
Standard Tuning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur3ztsAXEn8
INTRO
I send for my baby, and she don’t come
I send for my baby, man, and she don’t come
All the doctors in Hot Springs, sure can’t help her none
And if she gets unruly, thinks she don’t wan’ do
If she gets unruly and thinks she don’t wan’ do
Take my 32-20 now and cut her half in two
She got a .38 special but I b’lieve it’s most too light
She got a .38 special but I b’lieve it’s most too light
I got a 32-20 got to make the camps* alright
I send for my baby, man, and she don’t come
I send for my baby, man, and she don’t come
All the doctors in Hot Springs, sure can’t help her none
I’m gonna shoot my pistol gonna shoot my Gatling gun
I’m gonna shoot my pistol got to shoot my Gatling gun
You made me love you, now your man have come
Aah, baby, where you stay last night?
Aah, baby, where you stayed last night?
You got the hair all tangled and you ain’t talkin’ right
Her .38 special, boys, it do very well
Her .38 special, boys, it do very well
I got a 32-20 now and it’s a burnin’ #
If I send for my baby, man, and she don’t come
I send for my baby, man, and she don’t come
All the doctors in Wisconsin sure can’t help her none
Hey hey, baby, where you stay last night?
Hey hey, baby, where you stay last night?
You didn’t come home until the sun was shinin’ bright
Aah, boys, I just can't take my rest
Aah, boys, I just can't take my rest
With this 32-20 layin’ up and down my breast
* Possibly "caps" was intended.
# “Hell”
Source; Skip James, "22-20 Blues"
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Hi Blues Vintage,
In verse three tagline, it is "got to make the caps all right". "Caps" are ammunition.
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"Camps" sounds spot on to me, Blues Vintage. I hear the 'm' clearly. He is referring to making the work camps and hobo camps feel safe.
Wax
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I always heard it as "camps" and I still think it is. Robert changed a few words in his version.
I always figured that Robert, being a itinerant musician, carried his 32-20 from town to town (and the Mississippi Delta Levee Camps) for decent protection. Just like Wax said.
I know Skip James sang "caps".
https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=1412.msg87164#msg87164 (https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=1412.msg87164#msg87164)
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I updated "32-20 Blues" and implemented part of Stuart's ideas, proposed after The Sheiks and McTell discussions.
I hope y'all like it.
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Looks fine to me, Blues Vintage.
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I'm A Steady Rollin' Man
Robert Johnson – Vocals, Guitar
June 19, 1937
Dallas, Texas
A Position
Standard Tuning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_dtB6srVCo
INTRO
I am a steady rollin’ man, I roll both night and day
I’m a steady rollin’ man, hmm hmm, I roll both night and day
But I haven’t got no sweet woman, hmm hmm boys, to be rollin’ this-a-way
I am the man that roll, when icicles hangin’ on the tree
I’m the man that roll, when icicles is hangin’ on the tree
And now you hear me howlin’, baby, hmm mmm, down on my bended knee
I am a hard working man, have been for many years I know
I’m a hard working man, have been for many long years I know
And some cream puff’s usin’ my money, ooh well babe, but that’ll never be no more
You can’t give your sweet woman, everything she wants in one time
Hoo ooo, you can’t give your sweet woman, everything she wants in one time
Well boys, she get ramblin’ in her brain, hmm mmm, some monkey man on her mind
I’m a steady rollin’ man, I roll both night and day
I am a steady rollin’ man, and I roll both night and day
Well, I don’t have no sweet woman, hmm hmm boys, to be rollin’ this-a-way
OUTRO
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In the first three verses, I think he's singing I am, not I'm in the first line. The second line, he uses I'm. Conversely, in the last line, he starts with I'm and the second line sings I am. That's the way I hear it anyway. Thanks for this Blues Vintage.
Jean
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Thanks for the suggestions, Jean. But I feel like it's unnecessary to make those changes.
Edited to add; upon re-listening I made those changes, Jean. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
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Ramblin' On My Mind
There’s some controversy which takes of Ramblin' On My Mind are take 1 and take 2.
According to “official data” this is take 2 issued as the master take, not the alternate take on The Complete Recordings (2011, Stephen LaVere).
Stefan Wirz has it listed as Take 1.
To make it even more confusing,
Note also that although we accepted the view of specialist Robert Johnson discographers that most of the takes originally issued were used indiscriminately on all the 78 RPM issues, and have no definite evidence to the contrary, our considered judgement is that this is unlikely to be the case (Blues and Gospel Records).
Robert Johnson – Guitar, Vocals
San Antonio, Texas
November 23, 1936
Vestapol Tuning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2qlfmpFng4
INTRO
I got ramblin', I got ramblin' on my mind
I got ramblin', I got ramblin' all on my mind
Hate to leave my baby, but you treats me so unkind
Hey now, babe, I will never forgive you anymore
Little girl, little girl, I will never forgive you anymore
You know, you did not want me, baby, why didn’t you tell me so
And I’m runnin' down to the station, catch that first mail train I see (Spoken: I hear her coming now)
I’m runnin' down to the station, catch that old first mail train I see
I got the blues ‘bout Miss So-and-So, and the child got the blues about me
{And they tell me}, she got devilment on her mind
She got devilment, little girl, you got devilment all on your mind
Now, I’m got to leave this mornin’, with my arms fold up and cryin’
I believe, I believe my time ain’t long
I believe, I believe that my time ain’t long
But I’m leavin’ this mornin’, I believe I will go back home
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Hi Blues Vintage:
Thanks for the post. I don't know if I would use "indiscriminately." Perhaps the two takes, although different, were considered to be of equal value with respect to releasing them as commercial recordings with potential sales in mind. It's difficult to say with any certainty what the considerations were at the time.
BTW: I ran across this: https://loc.gov/loc/lcib/0605/johnson.html
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Cross Road Blues Take 1
Robert Johnson – Guitar, Vocals
San Antonio, Texas
November 27, 1936
Spanish Tuning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ul7ZgeRfqs
INTRO
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above for mercy, now “Save poor Bob if you please"
I-ee, standin' at the crossroad, tried to flag a ride
Wi-ee-ee, I tried to flag a ride
Ain’t nobody seem to know me, babe, everybody pass me by
Standin' at the crossroad, baby, risin' sun goin' down
Standin' at the crossroad, baby, i-ee, risin' sun goin' down
I believe to my soul, now, poor Bob is sinkin' down
You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown
That I got the crossroad blues this mornin', Lord, baby, I'm sinkin' down
And I went to the crossroad, mama, I looked east and west
I went to the crossroad, baby, I looked east and west
Lord, I didn't have no sweet woman, ooh well, babe, in my distress {despair?}
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Milkcow's Calf Blues (DAL.403-3)
Robert Johnson – Guitar, Vocals
Dallas, Texas
June 20, 1937
Spanish Tuning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPif0PfsAx0
INTRO
Tell me, milk cow, what on earth is wrong with you?
Hee hee eee, milk cow, what on earth is wrong with you?
Now, you have a little new calf, hoo hoo, and your milk is turnin' blue
Now, your calf is hungry, I believe he needs a suck
Now, your calf is hungry, hoo hoo, I believe he needs a suck
But your milk is turnin' blue, hoo hoo, I believe he's outta luck
Now, I feel like milkin' and my, cow won't come, I feel like churnin' it and my, milk won't turn, I'm cryin'
Please, please, don't do me wrong
If you see my milk cow, baby, now-how, please, drive her home
My milk cow been ramblin', hoo hoo, for miles around
My milk cow been ramblin', hoo hoo, for miles around
Well, now, she can suck on some other man's bull cow, hoo hoo, in this strange man town