Topic: Sylvester Cotton Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Sylvester Cotton had three or four recording sessions for Bernard Besman in Detroit in the Fall of 1948. Only a couple of of the takes he recorded were originally released. More than fifty years later, the takes were retrieved, remastered and released on the Ace CD, "Sylvester Cotton/Andrew Dunham--Blues Sensation". "Stranger In Your Town Blues (Take 2)" comes from that CD. Sylvester Cotton accompanied himself out of E position in standard tuning for that song. He's an intriguing figure--nothing is known about him in the biographical sense, where and when he was born, or even if he's still alive, though that seems unlikely. He does sound very young on his recordings, and they have an exciting, raw quality. Many of his lyrics appear to have been made up in the moment. I'd appreciate help with any bent bracketed places in the lyrics or other places I have wrong. Here is "Stranger In Your Town Blues (Take 2)":



INTRO

I'm a lonesome stranger, I'm a lone stranger in your town
I'm a lonesome stranger, my love stands in your town
Babe, now, baby, don't please you, leave me, so please don't turn me down

I woke up this mornin', with travelin' on my mind
I woke this mornin', travelin' on my mind
Babe, I hate to leave you, babe, 'cause you've been so unkind

SOLO

I'm goin' away, baby, I want you to please, don't cry
I'm goin' away, baby, I want you please, don't cry
I want you to meet me at the station, babe, and try to say goodbye

Says, so long, baby, I guess I better go
So long, baby, I guess I better go
So don't worry about me, I be back home some more

CODA

All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

2 suggestions for that strange part, I'm leaning to the first one,

I'm lone strange in your town

my -love stays- in your town

[Johnm]

Thanks for the suggestions, Blues Vintage. I think the second one is right on the money with "stands" rather than "stays" and will make that change.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Sylvester Cotton accompanied himself in Spanish tuning for "I'm Gone Blues", an 8-bar chorus blues. Once again, his lyrics sound at least partially improvised. He had a wonderful sound in Spanish, very bright. Here is "I'm Gone Blues":



INTRO

I'm goin', yes, I'm go, baby, that you know, Lord, you treat poor me wrong
So now I'm leavin' you, bye-bye, baby, Lord, I'm gone

I woke up this mornin', travelin' on my mind, baby, I sure know that you, poor, didn't treat me kind
I'm goin', I'm goin', baby, I'm gone

Says, tell me, woman, what you gon' do? Lord, 'cause you know, baby, I ain't gon' come back to you
I'm goin', yes, I'm goin', baby, I'm gone

Said now you're lucky, girl, I tried to treat you right, now you done messed up, Lord, now baby, part of your life
I'm goin', yes, I'm goin', baby, I'm gone

Said, now hear, woman, I woke up this mornin', Lord, I couldn't do nothin' but, Lord, cry 'bout you, 'cause
I'm goin', yes, I'm goin', baby, I'm gone

SOLO

So long, woman, guess I better go, 'cause I tell you, baby, Lord, I ramble with more, Lord,
I'm goin', yes, I'm goin', now baby, I'm gone

Say now, babe, I told you when, said now every time, Lord, I'm goin'
Yes, I'm (guitar finishes phrase), yes I'm goin', baby, I'm gone

Soon as I play this piece, I ain't gon' play no more, just about, woman, Lord, I got to go, so
(Guitar starts refrain), yes, I'm goin', woman, I'm gone

All best,
Johnm