Lonnie Coleman recorded two songs in Atlanta in 1929, Old Rock Island Blues and Wild About My Loving, playing what sounds like a banjo mandolin and accompanied by an unknown guitar player. That was it, sadly, since he is a very fun player. Old Rock Island Blues in played out of G position, though pitched a bit low on the Document recording I have, I believe.
Here's what I've got for the lyrics so far. Some rough spots. Not sure about "fare" in the first verse, though that's what it sounds like. Here is "Old Rock Island Blues":
Old Rock Island Blues - Lonnie Coleman
I've got the Rock Island blues, waiting for the Rock Island fare
I've got the Rock Island blues, I'm waiting for the Rock Island fare
I took the Rock Island train and take a Rock Island ride somewhere
[I've got a free transportation], lookin' for the train to ride
[I've got a free transportation], lookin' for the train to ride
I need to ride the Rock Island till I'm perfectly satisfied
If you ever been down you know just how I feel
Said if you ever been down you might know just how I feel
If you ever been down you know just how I feel
I've got the Rock Island blues, waiting for the Rock Island...
I've got the Rock Island blues, I'm waiting for the Rock Island fare
I take the Rock Island train and take a [hometown] ride somewhere
Well I'm goin away, train comin', get on board, ooo
I'm goin away, train comin', get on board
...baby, hang crepe on your door
I've got the rickets, got the rackets, and my baby's got the Mobile blues
I've got the rickets, got the rackets, and my baby's got the Mobile blues
I've got the Rock Island blues and I don't know what to do
One thing about these women I cannot understand
One thing about the women I cannot understand
All wearin' short dresses tryin' to fool a working man
I've got the rickets, got the rackets, and my baby's got the Mobile blues
I've got the rickets, got the rackets, and my baby's got the Mobile blues
I've got the Rock Island blues and I don't know what to do
Said if anyone should ask you who composed this song
Said if anyone should ask you who composed this song
Just tell 'em Lonnie Coleman done been to your town and gone
edited to pick up correction from JohnM
Here's what I've got for the lyrics so far. Some rough spots. Not sure about "fare" in the first verse, though that's what it sounds like. Here is "Old Rock Island Blues":
Old Rock Island Blues - Lonnie Coleman
I've got the Rock Island blues, waiting for the Rock Island fare
I've got the Rock Island blues, I'm waiting for the Rock Island fare
I took the Rock Island train and take a Rock Island ride somewhere
[I've got a free transportation], lookin' for the train to ride
[I've got a free transportation], lookin' for the train to ride
I need to ride the Rock Island till I'm perfectly satisfied
If you ever been down you know just how I feel
Said if you ever been down you might know just how I feel
If you ever been down you know just how I feel
I've got the Rock Island blues, waiting for the Rock Island...
I've got the Rock Island blues, I'm waiting for the Rock Island fare
I take the Rock Island train and take a [hometown] ride somewhere
Well I'm goin away, train comin', get on board, ooo
I'm goin away, train comin', get on board
...baby, hang crepe on your door
I've got the rickets, got the rackets, and my baby's got the Mobile blues
I've got the rickets, got the rackets, and my baby's got the Mobile blues
I've got the Rock Island blues and I don't know what to do
One thing about these women I cannot understand
One thing about the women I cannot understand
All wearin' short dresses tryin' to fool a working man
I've got the rickets, got the rackets, and my baby's got the Mobile blues
I've got the rickets, got the rackets, and my baby's got the Mobile blues
I've got the Rock Island blues and I don't know what to do
Said if anyone should ask you who composed this song
Said if anyone should ask you who composed this song
Just tell 'em Lonnie Coleman done been to your town and gone
edited to pick up correction from JohnM