Topic: Mary Johnson Lyrics

[Blues Vintage]

Dawn Of Day Blues


Mary Johnson – Vocals
Judson Brown – Piano
Tampa Red – Guitar
 
April 8, 1930
Chicago, Illinois

Piano in F#
Guitar in Vestapol





INTRO

I wake up every mornin’, just at the dawn of day
I wake up every mornin’, just at the dawn of day
I am wonderin’ and thinkin’ why, did my good man go away

When I woke up this mornin’, it was just at the break of day
When I woke up this mornin’, it was just at the break of day
I was thinkin’ of that mean old woman, that had stole my man away

GUITAR SOLO (Ah, play ‘em, play it a long time)

Now, I go out and I try, to have my good time
Now, I go out and I try, to have my good time
But it seems to me that I, just not can’t keep from cryin’

Well, I hate to see, that evening sun go down
Well, I hate to see, that evening sun go down
But it’s the worrisome old night and I’m, blue all night long

OUTRO

[banjochris]

Love Mary Johnson! I'd suggest "why DID my good man GO away" for 1.3 and "it" in 3.3, which is probably just a typo.
Chris

[Blues Vintage]

Thanks for the catches, Chris

[Blues Vintage]

Rattlesnake Blues


Mary Johnson – Vocals
Roosevelt Sykes – Piano

Richmond, Indiana
September 22, 1932

Piano in F





INTRO

Rattlesnake treating papa, what makes you treat your mama so mean
Rattlesnake treating papa, what makes you treat your mama so mean
You know that your mama loves you, that's why you treat me like you do

You treats me like a rattlesnake, crawling on the ground
You treats me like a rattlesnake, crawling on the ground
The better I try to treat you, the more you throw your mama down

SOLO (Spoken: Ah, fiddle that ivory board)

Oh, that's all right, daddy, that's all right for you
Oh, that's all right, daddy, that's all right for you
Someday you'll want poor Mary and she'll, be so far from you

SOLO

Oh, rattlesnake crawling daddy, you know you doin’ me wrong
Oh, rattlesnake crawling daddy, you know you doin’ me wrong
I'm looking for you baby and you, crawling ‘round some other terrapins home

You dog me early in the morning, and dog me late at night
You dog me early in the morning, and you dog me late at night
And I can tell by that rat, you ain't treating your mama right

OUTRO

[Johnm]

Thanks for posting that transcription, Blues Vintage. I believe the spoken comment in the solo is:
   Ah, fiddle that ivory board!

I think the end of the tagline in the next-to-last verse is:

   . . . crawling 'round some OTHER'S HAPPY home

All best,
Johnm

[waxwing]

(was about to open "Hi Harry")

Hey BV,

I think the final verse is

You dog me ALL in the morning, and dog me late at night
You dog me ALL in the morning, and you dog me late at night
And I can tell by that, RAT, you ain't treating your mama right

She would probably sing "soon one morning" if she meant "early"

In the tag line of the next to last verse I think she is using a derogatory term for another woman that sounds something like "terpie's" (almost "turkey" in honor of yesterday in the states).

Heh-heh. I checked Bob McLeod and he had "terrapin's". Another reptile, like a rattlesnake? Well, some agreement with the "t" and "p" sounds I hear. 

Wax

[Blues Vintage]

Thanks for the help.  I never heard that "fiddle that ivory board" before.

I keep "early" instead of "all". It does sound "terrapins". I keep "rat" for now but not I'm not convinced.

[banjochris]

I hear "early" also and it sounds more like "Ray" than "Rat" to me. Terrapin I think is possible; I looked it up and it can be a term of contempt besides the obvious reptile meaning.