Topic: Sonny Boy Nelson/Eugene Powell Lyrics

[Blues Vintage]

Sonny Boy Nelson - If You Don't Believe I'm Leaving Baby


October 15, 1936 , St. Charles Hotel, New Orleans.

Sonny Boy Nelson (Eugene Powell) - Vocals, Guitar
Willie Harris Jr. - Guitar





If you don’t believe I’m leaving baby follow me to the train
You don’t believe I’m leaving baby follow me to the train
And then if I don’t go baby you can call me a dirty name

My mama dead baby and my papa too
My mama dead baby and my papa too
That’s why I puts my love and my trust in you

I’m the dog in my family driftin’ from door to door
Dog in my family driftin’ from door to door
And sometime it seems just like I ain’t got no place to go

Sometimes I feel like a good man throwed away
Sometimes I feel like a good man throwed away
And I didn’t have no ideas baby that you would-a treated me this a way

All I want is my train fare way from here
All I want is my train fare way from here
Baby and I reck' a dollar would take us anywhere

[Johnm]

Hi Harry,
I think in that last line it might be,
   Baby, and I RECK' a dollar would take us anywhere
with reck' short for reckon.
That's really a nice tune.
All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

That's quick. Thanks John.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Sonny Boy Nelson (Eugene Powell) recorded "Low Down" at a session in New Orleans on October 15, 1936, accompanying himself out of C position in standard tuning. He was joined by, it is believed, Willie Harris, Jr., who provided boom-chang back-up out of C position in standard tuning, as well. I wish they had chosen to record Nelson solo, because what Harris played would be more accurately described as "playing along" as opposed to a true duet sound, in which each part fills a musically enriching and necessary role.
The song employs a commonly-encountered ragtime blues progression with some interesting wrinkles; in only the first verse is the full form played as it was normally done by players like Blind Boy Fuller or Tampa Red. For all of the subsequent verses and solo, the first four bars of the progression were omitted. Nelson's playing on the track is really inventive and original. He was by no means a Bo Carter or Hacksaw Harney android. Here is "Low Down:



INTRO

How come you treat me so low-down, how come you treat me this way?
How come you treat me so low-down, when I'm kind as I can be?
I give you all of my money but one single dime, then you goes around and you starts to lying'
How come you treats me so low-down, how come you treat me this way?

How come you treat me so low-down, when I'm kind as I can be?
Now, listen here, baby, don't try to play me for no fool, 'cause I sure ain't full of that old grey mule
How come you treats me so low-down, when I'm kind as I can be?

Now, how come you treat me so low-down, when I'm kind as I can be?
A nickel is a nickel, a dime is a dime, a man gets tired your rowdy ways all the time
How come you treats me so low-down, how come you treat me this way?

How come you treats me so low-down, when I'm kind as I can be?
I ain't sayin' it, baby, be so bold, but if you don't like my way of doin' you can move your clothes
How come you treats me so low-down, when I'm kind as I can be?

SOLO

Well, I ain't sayin' it, honey, just because it's mean, womens all say I got a good stingeree
How come you treats me so low-down, how come you treat me this way?

Now, how come you treats me so low-down, when I'm kind as I can be?
Well, that trap that you're settin', it dos mighty well, but this trap that I've got, it's a burnin' hell
How come you treats me so low-down, how come you treat me this way?

CODA

All best,
Johnm 

[Blues Vintage]

I already started a Sonny Boy Nelson lyric topic earlier. Could be merged.

https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=12140.msg107712#msg107712