Topic: Bill Cox Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Bill Cox was a West Virginian who started out doing Jimmie Rodgers covers, but developed his own style over time.  For "I Got The Drunken Blues" he backed himself out of D position in standard tuning while playing expert harmonica on a rack.  It's interesting how many Old-Time players from the Virginias and the Carolinas recorded in the '20s and '30s excelled at playing harmonica while accompanying themselves on guitar--Frank Hutchison, Gwen Foster, David McCarn, Bill Cox and others, I'm sure.  Here is the song:



HARMONICA SOLO

I got the blues, I got the blues, I got the hard-drinkin' blues
No more shine and no more brew, don't know what I'm gonna do
Lord, I got them drunken blues

HARMONICA SOLO X 2

I got the blues, I got the blues, I got the crazy moonshine blues
No more wine and no more gin, look what a shape it's left me in
Lord, I got them drunken blues

HARMONICA SOLO X 2

I got the blues, I got the blues, I got the lonesome walkin' blues
No more beer and no more rum, leavin' town, I'm on the bum
Lord, I got them drunken blues

HARMONICA SOLO X 3

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Bill Cox accompanied himself out of D position on the guitar again for "Long Chain Charlie Blues", and again featured his harmonica playing.  The melody of the verses here is similar to that of "Deep Elum Blues".  Here is his rendition of the song:



HARMONICA SOLO

Oh, the jury found me guilty, Long Chain Charlie's on his way
To take me to my lonely prison cell
They are takin' me to prison for a long, long time to stay
Where I'll never see them sunny days no mo'

REFRAIN: I've got the blues, I've got them lonely prison blues
They will lock me in a cell for a crime that I won't tell
Where I'll never see them sunny days no mo'

HARMONICA SOLO

They will take me to the pen, where my troubles will begin
And I'll never get no custard cake or pie
They will teach me how to sew some of the prettiest clothes, you know,
Lord, I'll never see them sunny days no mo'

Now, if every you go free, take your time and think of me
Just call around and see me now and then
For they sent me up for life, and I'll lose my pretty wife
And I'll never see them sunny days no mo'

REFRAIN: I've got the blues, I've got them lonely prison blues
They will lock me in my cell for a crime that I won't tell
Where I'll never see them sunny days no mo'

HARMONICA SOLO

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Bill Cox's "NRA Blues" falls into the Country Social Commentary category, I guess, like some of David McCarn's, Dorsey Dixon's, or Uncle Dave Macon's songs.  Bill once again plays harmonica off a rack and backs himself out of C position in standard tuning.  The song takes the melody and phrasing scheme of "The Crawdad Song", as did Uncle Dave's "Al Smith For President" and Willie McTell's "Hillbilly Willie's Blues".  That would make a good thread:  Songs based on "The Crawdad Song".  Here is Bill Cox's performance of the song:



HARMONICA SOLO

I work down in the old sweat shop, sweet thing, sweet thing
I work down in the old sweat shop, I work like a mule and never stop
Sweet thing, yes, baby mine

When they gonna join the NRA, sweet thing, sweet thing
When they gonna join the NRA, I never have heard the big boss say
Sweet thing, yes, baby mine

I've got the blues, I've got them NRA Blues
Lord, I got them NRA Blues

HARMONICA SOLO

When payday comes and I get my check, sweet thing, sweet thing
Payday comes and I get my check, all I get just a little wee speck
Sweet thing, yes, baby mine

When you're workin' for the NRA, sweet thing, sweet thing
When you're workin' for the NRA, you'll get short hours and get the same pay
Sweet thing, yes, baby mine

I've got the blues, I've got them NRA Blues
Lord, I got them NRA Blues

HARMONICA SOLO

The rich men's all on Easy Street, sweet thing, sweet thing
Rich men's all on Easy Street, and the poor men can't get enough to eat
Sweet thing, yes, baby mine

When they all join the NRA, sweet thing, sweet thing
When they all join the NRA, we'll all feel happy and all feel gay
Sweet thing, yes, baby mine

I've got the blues, I've got them NRA Blues
Lord, I got them NRA Blues

HARMONICA SOLO

All best,
Johnm



 



   

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Bill Cox recorded "Leaving Town Blues" at a session in New York City on August 17, 1931, backing himself out of C position in standard tuning, capoed up, and playing harmonica on a rack.  I sure like the way he sounded.  Here is "Leaving Town Blues":



INTRO

Oh, a woman ain't nothin' but a trouble on a poor man's mind
Oh, a woman ain't nothin' but a trouble on a poor man's mind
But if you've got a good woman, you better keep her, for they're doggone hard to find

HARMONICA SOLO

My good gal's gone, and I don't know the reason why
My good gal's gone, and I don't know the reason why
But it makes no difference, I'm too doggone mean to cry

HARMONICA SOLO

It takes a worried man to sing a worried song
Takes a worried man to sing a worried song
She's got me worried now, but I won't be worried long

HARMONICA SOLO

I'm going to the depot to see that evening train come down
I'm going to the depot to see that evening train come down
But the blues won't leave me, since my good gal's gone and left this town

HARMONICA SOLO

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Pan posted Bill Cox's "East Cairo Street Blues" in November of 2018 as part of his Song of the Month choice then, "One Dime Blues", from which it is certainly derived.  I sort of missed the boat on it back then, but returning to the thread today it caught my eye and ears.  Here it is, with Bill Cox accompanying himself out of G position in standard tuning:



I was standin' down on East Cairo Street one day, Lord
I was standin' down on East Cairo Street one day
I was standin' down on East Cairo Street one day
One dime's all I had, to my name

I bought the morning news, Lord
I bought the morning news
I bought the morning news
And I bought me a cigar, too

YODELING

Mama, don't treat your daddy mean, Lord
Mama, don't treat your daddy mean
Mama, don't treat your daddy mean
You're the meanest woman that a man 'most ever seen

YODELING

Do you want your man to be bad like Jesse James?
Do you want your man to be bad like Jesse James?
Do you want your man to be bad like Jesse James?
Take two guns and stop a long passenger train

YODELING

I'm broke, I ain't got a dime, Lord
I'm broke, I ain't got a dime
I'm broke, I ain't got a dime
Any man will get in tough luck some time

YODELING

My signifyin' mama done me wrong, Lord
My signifyin' mama done me wrong
My signifyin' mama done me wrong
And I always want to sing this lonesome song

YODELING

I'm tellin' you the hard luck I've had
I'm tellin' you the hard luck I've had
I'm tellin' you the hard luck I've had
Now, the blues ain't nothin' but a good man feelin' bad

YODELING

All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

I'm hearing "I stand down on East Cairo Street one day"

[Johnm]

I'm hearing it the way I transcribed it, Harry.  It's very slurred, but it's what he sang.