WeenieCampbell.com
Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: Slide on November 12, 2006, 09:23:37 AM
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Can anyone here fill in the blanks?
(from the DVD, Legends of Country Blues, Volume Two)
https://youtu.be/4Vqv0HS_QBA
Big Road Blues
I've got a brown skin woman.. lives up on the hill..
now don't you hear me tell what I say
I've got a brown skin woman...lives up on the hill
and that fool...quit me swear I love her still
I tell you what you______woman..like you used to do..now don't you
A hear me tell you pretty mama
Tell you won't you do...like you used to do..
How come you wanna treat me woman like you used to do
Well I left town this morning...on my... wayback home..
now don't you...hear me tellin' you pretty mama
I left town this morning...on my way back home..
Well that______________man told me your woman dead and gone
A don't _________________rollin' 'fore your door..
now don't you hear me tellin'you pretty mama
Ohh____________________rollin' 'fore your door
Take that woman you've been lovin' and she can't get back no more
Well I ain't goin down...that big road by myself..
now don't you a hear me tellin' you pretty mama
I ain't goin' down that big road by myself..
and if I can't catch you woman...try somebody else...Oh yes_____
Break:
Well.. went to the graveyard..looked down on her face..
now don't you hear me tell you pretty mama
I..went to the graveyard..looked down on her face
Says I feel your condition woman but i sure can't take your place.
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Hi Slide,
this is one of my all time favorite songs, and I perform it at every gig! Love Sam's performance too! Learned it from watching him... Chris Smith, in Shetland, did the liner notes for this DVD, and this is his transcription. he was kind enough to mail it to me.
I am recording this on my next cd...
cheers
Bert
SAM CHATMON - BIG ROAD BLUES
I've got a brownskin woman, lives up on a hill,
Now don't you, ah, hear me telling you where you stay?
I've got a brownskin woman, lives on a hill;
And that fool quit me, swear I love her still.
How come you wanna do, woman, like you do, do, do?
Now don't you, ah, hear me telling you, pretty mama?
How come you wanna do like you do, do, do?
How come you wanna treat me, woman, like you do, do, do?
When I was uptown this morning, on my way back home,
Now don't you, ah, hear me telling you, pretty mama?
I was uptown this morning, on my way back home;
Ah well, the devil met me and told me, 'Your woman's dead and gone.'
Ah, don't the hearse look lonesome, rolling 'fore your door?
Now don't you, ah, hear me telling you, pretty mama?
Oh, hearse looks lonesome, rolling 'fore your door;
It's taken that woman you loving, and she can't get back no more.
Well, I ain't going down, big road by myself,
Now don't you, ah, hear me telling you, pretty mama?
I ain't going down, big road by myself;
And if I can't take you, woman, carry somebody else -
Oh, yes I is, baby!
Well, went to the grave, looked down on her face,
Now don't you, ah, hear me telling you, pretty mama?
I went to the grave, looked down on her face;
Says, 'I feel your condition, woman, but I sure can't take your place.'
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Hi Bert,
Thanks very much for completing the Sam Chatmon lyrics! It all makes sense now. I've had the guitar part down for a while, but couldn't quite get all the lyrics.
How do I order your new CD when it comes out?
Steve
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Hi Slide
I will announce the cd somehow through this list and the others I am on, and will have something on the webpage I have. www.deivert.com/blues.html
A new cd of old time stuff I did with Tom Paley (ex. new Lost City Ramblers) will be out in December. It is being put out by a record company but I may have some copies for sale. The record company's store is here: http://gravitation.nu/butiken.asp
Did you get the cd that was recently released with old takes by Sam Chatmon? It is worth buying for a Sam fan!
It is called Blues When It Rains
cheers
BERT
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Bert:
Think about making the CD available through http://CDBaby.com here in the U.S., if possible.
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Thanks for the tip Stuart. Will have to look into that.
cheers
Bert/Buddy
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Forgive me if there is already a topic for this, I didn't see one.
God Don't Like Ugly from I Have To Paint My Face album
https://youtu.be/CCW72_DcKJ0
Spoken: Say boy where you from? You [naturally] [born / bout] the ugliest man ever I seen. I wish I could play the dozens but I didn't learn to count to twelve else I'd play the dozens with you.
I don't play no dozens cause I didn't learn to count to twelve
They tell me God don't like ugly, said boy your home's in Hell
I'd like to see your mammy, your pappy, too.
See how come you's born they didn't sell you out to some zoo
I don't play no dozens I didn't learn to count to twelve
They tell be God don't like ugly said boy your home's in Hell
Your mammy got scared she started in a show
Couldn't been scared of nothin but [?elephant o thing go]
I don't play no dozen I didn't learn to count to twelve
They tell me God don't like ugly say boy your home's in Hell
You standin around here you lookin big and stout
All you lack bein an elephant you ain't got a tail and a snout
I don't play no dozens I didn't learn to count to twelve
They tell me God don't like ugly said boy your home's in hell
Adam named everything I believe he skipped you
You look like you ought to be up a tree hollering hoo hoo hoo
I don't play no dozens I didn't learn to count to twelve
They tell me God don't like ugly boy your home's in Hell
God took a ball of mud when he got ready to make a man
When He got ready to make you partner ugly as you is I believe it slipped out His hand
I don't play no dozens I didn't learn to count to twelve
They tell me God don't like ugly said boy your home's in Hell
Adam named everything they put out in the zoo
I'd like Adam to be here see what the hell he'd name you
I don't play no dozens I didn't learn to count to twelve
Thanks,
Scott
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I Have To Paint My Face - Sam Chatmon
https://youtu.be/WYi37hVFkZs
Say God made us all
He made some at night
That's why he didn't take time
To make us all white
Chorus:
I'm bound to change my name
I have to paint my face
So I won't be kin
To that Ethiopian race
Say now let me tell you one thing
That a stomp down nigger will do
He'll pull up young cotton
And he'll kill baby chickens too
Chorus
Say when God made me
Say the moon was givin' light
I'm so doggone sorry
He didn't finish me up white
Chorus
Say now when God made people
He done pretty well
But when he made a jet black nigger
He made them some hell
Chorus
Say God took a ball of mud
When he got ready to make man
When he went to make you partner
I believe it slipped out his hand
Chorus
This probably should have been the B side of Good Old Turnip Greens!
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Thanks, Scott and Frank, for starting this new lyric thread. I think, Scott, in "God Don't Like Ugly", that in 3.3 Sam sings:
All YOU LACK bein' an elephant, you ain't got a tail and a snout
All best,
Johnm
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Hi John,
Thanks, I made the change.
Frankie, your lyrics looked dead on to me.
Thanks,
Scott
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Frankie Jean
https://youtu.be/rP9d_3-pCNk
Spoken: I used to pick this little piece but I lost my teeth and I can't whistle but I'm goin I'm goin I'm goin sound it with my mouth like a whistle. Y'all may may never heard nothin like this
You know I had a good little horse
His name was Frankie Jean
But one day he got loose
So I called that horse and I called
He didn't pay me no attention
So I went back and told papa bout it
He said how did you call him son
Said I called him "twoop" just like a person do to call a horse
He said well that ain't the way son, you go back and whistle to him somethin like this:
("Whistling" and guitar)
When I called him that a way you ought to heard him come a single-footin'
Thanks,
Scott
Edited 6/2/15 with help from Johnm
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Ashtray Taxi
https://youtu.be/H6Rm05UcHwo
Well I siittin on the corner in my taxi car
Brownskin lady said mister is your car for hire
I said if you's a cigarette smokin woman just throw your butts over in here
Cause I'm an old ashtray taxi baby oh just drop your shorts on over in here
Well you smoke your cigarette woman as I drive along
I'll drop all your ashes 'fore I'll get you back home
If you's a cigarette smokin woman hey throw your butts over in here
Cause I'm an old ashtray taxi baby oh just throw your butts on over in here
Well I'm gonna drive out in the country I'm gonna park on the road
I wanna dump all my ashes I got a great big load
If you're a cigarette smokin woman oh throw your butts on over in here
Cause I'm an old ashtray taxi baby oh just throw your butts on over in here
Well you look a here woman where did you stay last night
You come home this mornin your cigarettes sure ain't just right
If you're a cigarette smokin woman hey throw your butts over in here
Cause I'm an old ashtray taxi baby oh just drop your shorts on over in here
Well you set on the back put your feet up on the front seat
My cigarette'll fit your holder so doggone nice and neat
If you's a cigarette smokin woman oh throw your butts on in here
Cause I'm an old ashtray taxi baby hey just throw your shorts on over in here
Well your cigarette holder is so long it's made nice and round
It's a good fit for your cigarette woman that I totes around
If you're a cigarette smokin woman hey throw your butts over in here
Cause I'm an old ashtray taxi baby oh just throw your shorts on over in here
Thanks,
Scott
Edited 6/2/15 with help from Frankie
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Some suggestions on Ashtray Taxi:
1.4 - Cause I'm A old ashtray taxi baby oh just drop your shorts on over IN here
In general on the chorus, I think he runs together "I'm-a-old" pretty consistently
2.1 - Well you smoke your cigarette woman AS I DRIVE ALONG
3.2 - I wanna dump all my ashes I got a GREAT BIG load
3.3 - If YOU'SE a cigarette smokin woman oh throw your butts on over in here
6.2 - I hear YOUR, too
What a great singer he is, and that accompaniment is like a swiss army knife for a slow blues - good for any lyric situation and sounds great!
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Hi all,
Apropos of Frank's comment regarding Sam's accompaniment to "Ashtray Taxi", there is a related post in the "Slow Blues in G Standard" thread, at: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=1236.msg63426#msg63426 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=1236.msg63426#msg63426) .
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Scott,
I have a couple of suggestions for "Frankie Jean", which was a Memphis Minnie/Kansas Joe tune originally.
Line 8: Said, "I called him, "TWOOP!", just like A PERSON DO TO CALL A HORSE."
Line 11: When I called him that-a way, you ought to heared him come, A-SINGLE-FOOTIN'
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Frankie and John - thanks for all the help on Ashtray Taxi and Franie Jean. I have incorporated all the changes.
I love Sam's voice as well - very powerful and seems to cut through very well. John, do you know if he sang on the street at all or just developed that voice performing with his family?
Thanks again,
Scott
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Hi all,
Apropos of Frank's comment regarding Sam's accompaniment to "Ashtray Taxi", there is a related post in the "Slow Blues in G Standard" thread, at: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=1236.msg63426#msg63426 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=1236.msg63426#msg63426) .
All best,
Johnm
Hi Johnm, something to sort out or correct? In the above thread you reference both Hollandale Blues and Ashtray Taxi in G. Hollandale, we know form the musicians doing puzzler, is in A. Might Ashtray Taxi also be in A? (Which might make for your surprise at Sam's prediction for G?) Ashtray has a similar rock, but it's not the same rock.... so I don't know. different V7 chord too I think, but I haven't spent much time listening.
G and A positions are tough to decipher - especially when the musician is playing out of A tuned a step down! Anyway, Slow A or G is a great style Sam has regardless.
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The version of "Hollandale Blues" that we did the puzzler on Sam chose to play out of A position, John. But the one I transcribed for a lesson, he played out of G position, as he did "Ashtray Taxi". It is relatively rare for a player to play the same song out of two different playing positions/tunings, but you run into it occasionally. John Hurt played "Frankie" out of Spanish and G in standard tuning, and Snooks Eaglin played "Careless Love" out of two different positions. Sam especially liked G in standard tuning for slow blues and used the same accompaniment for many of the songs he did there.
All best,
Johnm
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Well, thanks for that! It would never have occurred to me that a musician would play the same song out of two positions (but why not!?)... you learn something every day.
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Sam especially liked G in standard tuning for slow blues and used the same accompaniment for many of the songs he did there.
Oh, yeah.. Sam knows something about a slow blues in G:
http://youtu.be/00Son9T4_u0 (http://youtu.be/00Son9T4_u0)
There... now ain't that better? :)
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But the one I transcribed for a lesson, he played out of G position,
I'm going to fool around with A for awhile, mostly to see if i can get a decent vocal , but I think I'm going to have to come by your site and pick Hollandale in G. Such a great style.
edit: Thanks for that frankie!
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Stoop Down Baby, Let Your Daddy See
https://youtu.be/D1DoP4wI00k
Intro
Now stoop down baby let your daddy see
Hey yes stoop down woman let your daddy see
You've got somethin down there now woman worryin the hell out of me
Now two old maids layin up in the bed
One turned over t' the other one said
Wake up old maid don't sleep so damn sound
You know what you promised when you first laid down
Now just stoop down let your daddy see
You've got somethin down there now woman worryin the hell out of me
Now two little girls out playin in the sand
One told the other'n child I believe you's a man
She said no no child I ain't no man
Just be still baby do the best I can
Now just stoop down let your daddy see
You've got somethin down there now woman worryin the hell out of me
Now what did the goose tell that duck
You ain't so good lookin gal but you sure know how to strut
Just stoop down let your daddy see
You've got somethin down there now woman worryin the hell out of me
Now what did the frog tell that eel
The more you wiggle child the better it do feel
Just stoop down let your daddy see
You've got somethin down there now woman worryin the hell out of me
Now the monkey and the baboon out playin in the grass
The monkey shoved his finger in the baboon's ice cream
Just stoop down let your daddy see
You've got somethin down there now woman worryin the hell out of me
Oh stoop down baby
Thanks,
Scott
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Cool song with three solos towards the end...
I Can't Use You No More
https://youtu.be/KzRbsPrCZws
Intro
Said my baby told me she gonna leave me she didn't even tell me when - oh boy that's a mess when your biscuit roller gone
She done gon leave me she didn't even tell me when
But I want the good Lord to bless that woman maybe she'll come back home to me again
Well I know you didn't love me baby you didn't even give me no kind a sign
Oh oh I know you didn't love me woman you didn't even give me no sign
I can tell the way you're actin woman you've got another man in your mind
Well now is one thing baby I just cannot understand
Hey two little [nation] sure can't understand
That's a darn [clutch mouth] woman and a [dumb gum mouth] man
Well you come here this mornin baby knocking up on my door
Get away from there sweet baby I sure can't use your love no more
Now go home woman stop knocking on my door
Says I got me another woman sure can't use you no more
Well now you run in here woman beggin me to take you back
I've got a woman on my main line [i just keep to my sweet track]
Go on back baby hey can't use you no more
You better get away f' my window woman stop knocking on my door - oh yes you had baby
Solo
Solo
Whoa get on that thing boy
[Let her loose sho]
Now listen
Solo
[I'm picking losing sho enough now]
I got something to tell you baby please don't get mad
I got something to tell you woman please don't get mad
Say you [can't get favor Sam] now both us once have had
Thanks,
Scott
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Black Night
https://youtu.be/dmaXK_h_IyA
Intro
This is my [favorite]
Oh used to be I could call you mine alone - oh yes I could baby
But it's plain to see now you want to be left on your own
You must have someone new to make me go blue black night
Oh used to be we could have so much fun - oh yes we could
Just you and me when my workin day be done
But when I come home you tired [ a bone] black night
Oh used to be see my face you'd smile
And run to me run to me just like you was my child
But now you're in some kind of daze have changed your ways black night
Oh used to be you the blackest night ever been known - oh yes you was [?]
But it's plain to see I'll have the blues from this day on
But the lovin you have left and you'll be gone yourself black night
Thanks,
Scott
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That's All Right
https://youtu.be/JdDwQ8WHBoA
Intro
Well you told me woman once upon a time
If I'd be your'n you'd sure be mine
But that's all right
Yeah I know you got another man but that's all right
Every now and then I 'gin to wonder who gon love you tonight
Well I come t' your house late last night knocked upon your door
I heard a strange voice say "Get away from there you can't get in here no more"
But that's all right
Yeah I know you got another man but that's all right
Every now and then I 'Gin to wonder who gon love you tonight
Well it's one thing f' certain woman without a doubt
If I can't come in he sure better not come out
And that's all right
I know you love another man but that's all right
Every now and then I 'gin to wonder who gon love you tonight - oh yes I do baby you know I asked the woman about you like I love you
Solo
Whoa [down] make certain boy
Well he done somethin in my house never happened before
He broke down my bed and loved my woman on my floor
But that's all right
I know you love another man but that's all right
Every now and then I 'gin to wonder who gon love you tonight
Well I knocked on the front I run out to the back
He passed by me runnin fast as any darn Cadillac
But that's all right
I know you got another man but that's all right
Every now and then I 'gin to wonder who gon love you tonight
Thanks,
Scott
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Good work, Scott! When I get home I'll listen to these tracks and see if I can get any of those bent bracketed places. It looks like you pretty much have these ones transcribed!
All best,
Johnm
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That's All Right is my all time favorite Sam Chatmon song, although I don't play it anywhere near as well as he did. Love the lyric "He sure better not come out"
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Hi Scott,
I listened to the four songs of Sam's and all I could find was really little stuff except his spoken comment after the first line of the first verse in "I Can't Use You No More":
Oh boy, that's a mess when YOUR BISCUIT ROLLER GONE
It occurs to me that maybe I was listening to a different version than you did.
I entered the songs in Weeniepedia. Thanks for doing the transcriptions!
All best,
Johnm
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Hi John - thanks I made the change. I should do a better job of labeling where each recording is from as there are multiple versions of some of his songs.
Ross - related to multiple versions of That's All Right, my favorite take on that lyric is "If I can't come in that BASTARD better not come out!" No need to mince words in that situation ;-)
Thanks again,
Scott
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Good Eat Meat Boy - from Hollandale Blues. This is the same recording as Good Eating Meat from Blues At Home 2. In fact, all of Hollandale Blues is included in the Blues At Home 2 album, don't buy both (pretty sure Sam isn't getting a cut..).
https://youtu.be/c4aPvk3SUPo
Spoken: You know my baby cooked some meat the other morn. It was good eatin meat boys but it sure tastes bad
Well I eat some meat at twelve I had some at four
I'm gettin pretty hungry I'm goin back and eat some more
Because it's good eatin meat boys and just tastes so doggone bad
It's got the strongest old taste whoa any meat I've ever had
Now some men don't like meat when it ain't seasoned just right
But I'll eat anything through the day please give me my strong meat at night
I mean it's good eatin meat boys yeah I swear it tastes bad
It's got the strongest old taste oh any meat I ever had
Now you can soak it all day get up late and wash it at night
But when you get to eatin it it still don't taste right
I mean it's good eatin meat boys yeah but it just tastes so darn bad
It's got the strongest old taste eee-yu any meat I ever had
Spoken: second voice [?]
Well you can soak it all night get up and wash it the next day
But ain't no soap and water gon get that strong taste away
I mean it's good eatin meat boys yeah I mean it just tastes bad
It's got the strongest old taste whoa any meat I've ever had
Thanks,
Scott
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Ross - related to multiple versions of That's All Right, my favorite take on that lyric is "If I can't come in that BASTARD better not come out!" No need to mince words in that situation ;-)
Thanks again,
Scott
That's actually the version I do, learned those lyrics from YouTube. Watching the videos of him perform is amazing...
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Ross - related to multiple versions of That's All Right, my favorite take on that lyric is "If I can't come in that BASTARD better not come out!" No need to mince words in that situation ;-)
Thanks again,
Scott
That's actually the version I do, learned those lyrics from YouTube. Watching the videos of him perform is amazing...
I agree. There is also footage of Chatmon on the DVD Legendary Country Blues Guitarists (Sales Tax Blues, Outside Friend, Fishing Blues (Evil Jackson), Glad When You're Dead).
I haven't seen this (yet) and since it's not available on YouTube I might get that DVD soon.
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I agree. There is also footage of Chatmon on the DVD Legendary Country Blues Guitarists (Sales Tax Blues, Outside Friend, Fishing Blues (Evil Jackson), Glad When You're Dead).
I haven't seen this (yet) and since it's not available on YouTube I might get that DVD soon.
Let me know how it is, if it's worth the $ and all I'll have to check into getting it as well
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Hi all,
The DVD
"Legendary Country Blues Guitarists" is worth its price just to see once, let alone to be able to view over and over. In addition to the Sam Chatmon footage, there are two numbers, one full length and one very short, by Blind Connie Williams, who is perfectly amazing, a beautiful long version of "Crow Jane by Henry "Rufe" Johnson (wow!), and several numbers by Willie Trice, wow as well. Add in Bill Broonzy and some other folks and you can't beat it. Buy it!
All best,
Johnm
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Ashtray Taxi
I'll drop all your ashes 'fore I'll get you back home
Well, you look a-here, woman, where did you stay last night?
Thanks,
Scott
Edited 6/2/15 with help from Frankie
I'm pretty sure I'm hearing dump instead of drop in the second verse.
And now instead of you in the fourth verse.
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Sam Chatmon - My Little Woman (Sweets Mill, near Auberry, CA, July, 1970) (lyric request)
http://youtu.be/_kd8tgRBbCw (http://youtu.be/_kd8tgRBbCw)
This is basically the song "she's my baby" (discussed here on weenie campbell) but now in a combo setting with extra lyrics.
I'm working on transcribing the lyrics but find it rather difficult.
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The fourth verse I'm hearing something like
You's a natural fool [that?] tries a wrong doing man
Sixth verse I hear
Tired of waiting I'm trying to fool around with you
Seventh verse is harder
I ain't gonna holler, towns too small
If you don't catch me gonna [swear?] that's all
Dave
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Hi everybody. In these days I?m involved in Sam Chatmon?s ?Cold Blooded Murderer? that he play (my guess) in the A positions, a couple of steps below, roughly the same positions maybe someone of you did heard in John?s fantastic section ?What is this musician doing?? about ?Hollandale Blues?. I like this number and found it funny to play also as solo guitar. You all can see Sam performing it in this famous shot by A. Lomax in 1978:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6QKyWPaqAw
so you can really see all those tricks for both the hands.
I really need an helping hand to write down the lyrics. My mother language is italian so forgive me as you can. There are some lines in the verses that seem taken from ?Pistol Slapper Blues?, recorded by Blind Boy Fuller and Sonny Terry in 1938, also studied in the ?Lyrics? section of Weeniepedia.
Dots mean that I have not any idea of the words, underscore means that I?m not sure. Well, I cannot say I? m sure of everything I heard, but this is my best try.
?Cold Blooded Murderer?
Say, she?s a cold blooded murderer, and that woman want me out of way (spoken: Oh yes, she?..)
Say, she?s a cold blooded murderer, and that woman want me out of way
I?ll be all right with the way you?re doin? me, baby
Hey, you?ll need may help again someday
Well, that woman told me gonna put me down six foot in my lonesome grave (spoken: Oh yes, she did, boys)
Hey, she tell me goin? drive me down, boys, six foot in my lonesome grave
You?ll gonna be sorrow ? day, woman, ?cause I ????.
Well, just give my money, woman, I?ll catch the train and go
You don?t have to kill your daddy, ?cause you don?t want me no more
Just gimme my money, and I?ll catch the train and go
You don?t have to kill your daddy, sweet baby, heeee-uh, ?cause you don?t wanna love me no more
Well, she?s a cold blooded murder, and that woman no how can be good
Hey, she?s a cold blooded murderer, and that woman no how can be good
I?ll be all right with the way you?re doin? me, woman, I?ll treat you the same way if I could
Well, just give my money, baby, I?ll catch the train and go
You don?t have to kill your daddy, ?cause you don?t wanna love me no more
Just gimme my money, and I?ll catch the train and go
You don?t have to kill your dad, sweet baby, heeee-uh, ?cause you don?t wanna love me no more
Many, many thanks for any thoughts, help or whatsoever.
Best regards
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Thanks Dave.
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Hey, you?ll need my help again someday
Well, that woman told me she gonna put me down six foot in my lonesome grave
Hey, she tell me goin? drop me down, boys, six foot in my lonesome grave
You?ll gonna be sorry ?day, woman, ?cause I once have been your slave
Well, she?s a cold blooded murder, and that woman know her chance is good?
Hey, she?s a cold blooded murderer, and that woman know her chance is good?
That will be alright the way you?re doin? me, woman, I?ll treat you the same way if I could
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Thanks a lots harry. Yes, I forgot "my" in the first stanza, just like "she" in the second. The use of "drop" makes sense but I cannot hear the difference with "drive" instead. My fault. The only verse I'm still hearing quite different from you (but as I told before, I'm not pretty sure about anything) is the A verse in the fourth stanza.I really cannot catch "know her chance is good". I'm hearing "be" instead of "is" just before the word "good" in that verse.
Anyway, thanks again, I really appreciate your useful help.
Cheers.
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Hi all,
Sam Chatmon's "I Stand And Wonder" came out on his first rediscovery recording, the Arhoolie anthology "I Have To Paint My Face", and it is a rarity in Sam's repertoire, a song for which he accompanied himself with a slide, playing out of Vestapol tuning. The song has an unusual form in which Sam hangs on the opening phrase over the I chord for a long time. An in-depth analysis of its structure can be found in the "Vocal Phrasing--The Long and the Short of It" thread at: https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=951.msg99278#msg99278 . Here is "I Stand And Wonder":
https://youtu.be/gU-vjkZS6Yg
INTRO
Says I hate that train, baby, runned out East today, runned out East today, Lord, I hate that train, gal, runned out East today, Good Lordy,
Same old train, now, carried my baby away
Ohh, hate that train, now, runned out East today
Says my babe's in jail, and I just got out myself, just got out myself, Lord, my gal's in jail now, and just got out myself, Good Lordy,
When the woman I love quit me, want nobody else
Well, babe's in jail now, just got out myself
Says I stand and I wonder, she answer if I write, answer if I write, Lord, I stand and I wonder, answer if I write, Good Lordy,
When I was with my baby, I didn't treat her right
Hey, and I stand and wonder, answer if I write
I wonder do my baby, good girl know I'm here, good girl, know I'm here, Lord, I wonder do my faro, good girl know I'm here, Good Lordy,
Knowed I's here now, really feel my care
Hey, I stand and wonder, do she know I'm here
Well now, look-a here, pretty mama, what you mean to do, what you mean to do, Lord, now look-a here, faro, what you mean to do, Good Lordy,
Tried every way, baby, tried to get along with you
Well, tried every way, woman, tried to get along with you
Edited 9/22 to pick up corrections from harry
Edited 9/23 to pick up corrections from lyndvs, Johnm
All best,
Johnm
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Intro sounds like "Dinner Blues" by Bo Carter.
1.1 Ruined runned out Easter day (Typo)
3.1 Says I stand and I wonder, she answer if I write, she answer if I write, Lord, I stand and I wonder, answer if I write, Good Lordy,
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Thanks for the catches, Harry, I have made the changes. Thanks!
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I don`t think he`s saying "Easter day"...I think he`s saying "East today"...."runned out east today"
Also I hear"No right here now" in verse 4,not "Know what I feel now".I think he means "no one" and gulps the "one".
Great song.Sam was fabulous.
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Lyndvs, I re-listened and I agree with "East today" rather than "Easter day". The other suggestion, after listening many times, is "Knowed I's here now" rather than what you suggested, I believe. I will make the changes. Thanks!
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Cold Blooded Murderer
Sam Chatmon – Vocals, Guitar
Lou Curtiss' Folk Arts-Rare Records, San Diego, California
April 13, 1973
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJhM5aOBN6o (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJhM5aOBN6o)
Says she’s a cold blooded murderer and she want me out her way
Says she’s a cold blooded murderer and that woman want me out her way
Said that’ll be alright the way you doin’ me baby you gon’ need my help someday
Well that woman told she gon’ put down six foot in my lonesome grave
Oh she tell me gon’ drop me down boys six foot in my lonesome grave
You gon’ be sorry day woman ‘cause I once have been your slave
Well just give me my money woman I’ll catch a train and go
You don’t have to kill your daddy ‘cause you just don’t want him no more
Just give me my money and I catch the train and go
You don’t have to kill your daddy sweet baby ‘cause you don’t want me no more
Says she’s a cold blooded murderer and she know her chance is good
Says she’s a cold blooded murderer and that woman know her chance is good
Say I don’t blame you sweet baby I treat you same way if I could
Well just give me my money baby I’ll catch a train and go
You don’t have to kill your daddy ‘cause you don’t want me no more
Just give me my money baby and I catch a train an’ I’ll go
Say you don’t have to kill your daddy sweet baby ‘cause you don’t want me no more
Well just give me my money baby I’ll catch a train and go
You don’t have to kill your daddy ‘cause you don’t want me no more
Just give me my money and I catch a train an’ I’ll go
You don’t have to kill your daddy sweet baby ‘cause you don’t want me no more
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Go Back Old Devil
Sam Chatmon – Vocals, Guitar
Hollandale, Mississippi
1966
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwg-VUns2bU
INTRO
Go back, old devil, look up on your shelf
Go back, old devil, look up on your shelf
Get soap and water, wash your dirty self
Says, I flagged that train, kept on easin’ through
Says, I flagged that train, kept on easin’ through
Asked that depot agent, man, what must I do
He said, get your jumper, goin’ that long freight yard
Said, get your jumper, go down that long freight yard
And see that woman you lovin’ if you have to, ride the rods
Says, I flagged that train, kept on easin’ through
Says, I flagged that train, kept on easin’ through
Asked the depot agent, man, what must I do
Well, I never did loved but, four women in my life
Well, never did loved but the, four women in my life
That’s mum and sister, sweetheart and my wife
Well, I'm standing here wonderin’, what's gon’ happen to me
Well, I'm standing here wonderin’, what's gon’ happen to me
Every time I need my lovin’, I got to find my old used to be
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Hi Harry
a suggestion and a double typo, I think.
1.3 Get you soap and water, wash your dirty self
4.1 Says, I flagged that train, kept on easin’ through
4.2 Says, I flagged that train, kept on easin’ through
Wax
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Thanks Wax.
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Stretching Them Things
Sam Chatmon – Vocals, Guitar
Hollandale, Mississippi
1966
G position, tuned down about a ½ step (correct if I’m wrong)
The song starts at 21.39
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FooYWuLw66M
Well, I met a woman, shoes was hurtin’ her feet, told her bring them to my shop down on, Capitol Street
So I can stretch them things, oh, I mean I’m stretching them things
Says, I really breaks a record, baby, ‘bout stretching them things
Well, I stretched them by elec'tic, stretched them by hand, everybody calls me the stretchin' ol' man
I been stretching them things, oh, I mean I’m stretching them things
I really breaks a record, baby, ‘bout stretching them things
Well, I got a stretcher, it’s long and slim, when I stretch it, says, too loose Jim
I been stretching them things, oh, I mean I’m stretching them things
I really breaks a record, baby, ‘bout stretching them things
Well, I stretch ‘em in the morning, I stretch ‘em at night, everybody tells me my stretching’s alright
I been stretching them things, oh, I mean I’m stretching them things
I really breaks a record, baby, come to stretching them things
Young girls these days they get, tempted in mind, they don’t love your stretching ‘less you, take your time
And go stretch them things, oh, I mean I’m stretching them things
Says, I really breaks a record, baby, ‘bout stretching them things
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Hi Harry,
The song starts at 21:39 on the video, which has the entire Sam Chatmon Blue Goose album on it. I can't get the name of the street in verse one, closest thing it sounds like is "Captor Street", which seem unlikely. In verse two, the first questions mark is "elect'ic" and the second question mark is "stretchin' ol' man", I think.
all best,
Johnm
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Hi Harry and Johnm,
I think that is probably Capitol Street, which is a main drag of Jackson, the state capitol. It runs parallel to Town Creek down to near where it joins the Pearl River in the area which probably would have been the "bottoms" of Jackson.
Wax
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Thanks for the help, Wax. That is certainly what Sam was singing there.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks JohnM en Wax,
I already noted that the song started at 21.39 in my original post. I couldn't find the single song on YouTube.
It's a wonderful record, never released on CD. It was re-released on vinyl in 2006 but still commands high prices.
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Sittin’ On Top Of The World
This could be my favorite version of this classic.
Sam Chatmon – Vocals, Guitar
Hollandale, Missisippi
October 26, 1980
G position tuned 1 and ½ step down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGIec7RDfTk
I worked all the summer, and all the fall
Tryin’ to find my, little all and all
But now she's gone, and I ain’t worryin’
I'm sittin’ on top of the world
You needn't come running, holding up your hand
Oh, I can get me a woman, quick as you can a man
But now she's gone, and I ain’t worryin’
I'm sittin’ on top of the world
The lonesome days, they have gone by
Oh, why should I worry, and say goodbye
But now she's gone, and I ain’t worryin’
I'm sittin’ on top of the world
I went to the station, down in the yard
Gon’ catch me a freight train, work done got hard
But now she's gone, and I ain’t worryin’
I'm sittin’ on top of the world
It have been days, the nights passed away
Oh, I missed you, both night and day
But now she's gone, and I ain’t worryin’
I'm sittin’ on top of the world
Ah, when I’m dead, down in my grave
There will be no more women, for me to crave
I’ll be gone, you need not worryin’
I’ll be still on top of the world
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My Little Woman
Sam Chatmon – Vocals, Guitar
Kenny Hall – Mandolin
Ed Littleton – Dobro
Sue Draheim – Fiddle
Joe Gwaltney – Guitar
Will Scarlet – Harmonica/Jug
Sweets Mill, near Auberry, California
July 1970
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kd8tgRBbCw
My mama says she’s reckless, my daddy says she wild, it don't make no difference, she's my angel child
My little woman, she's so nice and brown
Every time that woman touch me, makes my love come fallin' down
Oh, she touch me in the morning, touch me at night, time she touch me you know I feel alright
‘Cause you're my baby, she's so nice and brown
Every time that woman touch me, makes my love come tumblin' on down
Well, I work hard all day, come home at night, she's won't touch me, she ain’t treatin’ me right
She's my woman, she's so nice and brown
Every time that woman touch me, makes my love come tumblin' down
Now, run here woman, take me by my hand, you're a natural fool that tries a wrong doing man
You're my baby, make my love come fallin' down
Every time we're lovin’, because you so nice and brown
Well, if you get there man, ‘fore I do, tell that woman, I'm on my way too
‘Cause she's my baby, she's so nice and brown
Every time that woman touch me, makes my love come tumblin' down (Oh, let it fall on my pants)
MANDOLIN SOLO (That’s what I’m talkin’ about)
Well, now look-a-here, baby, what did I do, tired of waiting, I'm trying to fool around with you
You're my baby, you're so nice and brown
Every time that woman touch me, makes my love come fall on down
Well, now I ain’t gon’ holler, town’s too small, if you don't catch me, woman, swear that's all
You's my woman, you're so nice and brown
Every time that woman touch me, makes my love come fallin' down (Oh, play your guitar, picker)
GUITAR/JUG/FIDDLE SOLO 3x (Oh, yeah yeah, oh, blow that jug -, that’s what I’m talkin’ about, alright -, get out on that thing now, let me hear ya, that’s what I’m talkin’ about)
Well, now look-a-here here, woman, see what you done, made me love you, now you're man done come
You're my baby, you're so nice and brown
Every time that woman touch me, makes my love come fallin' on down (Oh, get on that jug now)
OUTRO SOLO
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Thanks for posting that, Harry. I think the front end of the first line to verse five is:
If you get THERE, man, 'fore I do . . .
It makes sense of the ending of the line.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John
Can't decide on verse 7
if you don't catch / touch me, gonna swear that's all
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Hi Harry,
The first line of verse seven sounds to me like:
Well now, I ain't gon' holler, TIME'S too small, if you don't catch me, WOMAN, WELL, that's all
I think Sam's saying he doesn't have a lot of time to wait around for her to make up her mind, so she'd better stop being coy and get with him, if that's what she really wants. Otherwise, they're both going to miss their opportunity.
All best,
John
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What a great recording! Thanks for posting it.
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Glad you enjoyed that, Mark. I really dig Sam Chatmon, such a great singer.
Fun fact; His birth name was Vivian Chatmon but he changed it to Sam 'cause he thought it sounded too much like woman.
I don't believe his claim that he was the half brother of Charley Patton.
I gotta keep listening to that 7nd verse.
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Re-Listening, I really hear "town" and "swear"
Well, now I ain’t gon’ holler, town’s too small, if you don't catch me, woman, swear that's all
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I hear "swear" now too, Harry, and I do think it sounds more like "town's" than "time's". Good work!