Country Blues > Country Blues Lyrics
Son Becky--Mistreated Washboard Blues
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Johnm:
Hi all,
This piece, "Mistreated Washboard Blues", by Son Becky (Leon Calhoun), came up in my youtube feed this morning. It comes from his one day in the studio, in San Antonio on October 25, 1937, at which he accompanied himself on piano in F and was joined by an unknown guitarist, washboard player, and spoken commentator according to DG&R. It makes sense that Son Becky was accompanying himself, because he had a mannerism of going long in the instrumental response to his second vocal phrase, and he never comes in early on the third vocal phrase as he might have done, had he not been self-accompanied. I've made no attempt to transcribe the spoken comments. I'd very much appreciate help with the two bent bracketed phrases. Here is "Mistreated Washboard Blues":
INTRO
I wake up every morning with travelin' on my mind
I wake up every morning with travelin' on my mind
I'm gon' keep on travelin' 'til I get satisfied
SOLO
I can't see why these blues, they follow me so
I can't see why, people, these blues, they follow me so
They follow me here and everywhere I go
SOLO
I want you to pack your clothes, baby, bring them right back home
Want you to pack your clothes, baby, bring them right back home
You know that I love you, woman, and you know that I've done you wrong
SOLO
Take me back, baby, baby, try me one more time
Take me back, and try me one more time
If I don't love you this time, baby, Lord, I'll pray to die
SOLO
I wonder what's the matter with this washboard man
I wonder what's the matter with this washboard man
He can't use his fingers, got thimbles all on his hand
Edited 10/25 to pick up corrections from Blues Vintage
All best,
Johnm
waxwing:
Hi Johnm,
I found an area in Tennessee that used to be called Spain but is now in Cedar Grove, about 100 miles NE of Memphis. For reference, Ripley, home of Gus Cannon and Noah Lewis, is about 50-60 miles NNE of Memphis. I couldn't find a Spain in NM, TX, LA, AR, MS, AL or GA. Then again he could be making a fanciful reference to the country, Spain. Do you know where he is from? His accent sounds very familiar.
Both sound as you have them in parens to me, Johnm, except I think he sings, "did", not "done" before "carry you to Spain.
Wax
Blues Vintage:
I guess the was I can't see why these blues that they follow me so
I guess the was I can't see why, people, the blues that they follow me so
They follow me here and everywhere I go
Take me back, baby, baby, try me one more time
Take me back, baby, and try me one more time
Gonna love you this time, baby, Lord, [I'm 'afraid to die]
If I don't love you this time baby Lord I'll pray to die
He done [carry you to Spain], He can't use his fingers got thimbles all on his hand
Johnm:
Thanks very much for the help, wax and Blues Vintage. That is some good hearing, Blues Vintage. I think all your suggestions were spot on, and I have made the changes. Thanks!
All best,
Johnm
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