It was along about that time that Blind Lemon Jefferson came through, and he stayed around there about a month. He stayed with the other colored fellows and they worked on the railroad there; he'd just sing and play to entertain the men in the work camp. I think that right about there I started on the guitar - Hobart Smith recalls Lemon in Virginia, c. WWI, from Blacks, Whites and Blues by Tony Russell
mmmm intersting but if the track have been recorded as murderer's home blues it's surely what mctell sing but that could an illusion or something like that. I don't realy understand the English by listening
Hi Censio - there have been lots of blues songs mistitled by producers, field researchers and others. The fact that Lomax recorded McTell doing this song, and that there is a collection of Lomax material subtitled "Murderous Home" makes me wonder whether the song was incorrectly titled when recorded, since it's not exactly clear to me what McTell really sings. Either title could make sense. That's why I was throwing it out there for other people to comment. We can help transcribe the lyrics, but you'll have to be patient and wait until someone has time.
Different Lomax, though, UB. I think it's actually "Murderers' Home."
I did all I could baby, satisfy your mind, Well I wake up every morning you got me moaning and crying. Trying to send me to the chain gang, back to the murderers' home I'd have been in a better shape mama, if I'd let that reckless woman alone.
Now I'm gonna have to give you my number, 4-11-44, I'll be there forever, I ain't got no wheres else to go. Cause I've got to go to the chain gang, back to the murderers' home I'd have been in a better shape mama, if I'd let that reckless woman alone.
He was a mean old judge, wouldn't give me no fine, Only thing going to relieve me is old Father Time, I got to go to the chain gang, back to the murderers' home I would have been in a better shape mama, if I'd have let that reckless woman alone.
When I was down in the alley mama drinking that old mean booze and gin, Say you better do your running around cause you ain't never going to do it again 'Cause it leads me straight to the chain gang, down to the murderers' home, I'd have been in a better shape mama, if I'd have let that reckless woman alone.
Goodbye everybody here comes the jailer with a key, Farewell to freedom I don't want no one to pity me, I'm going to the chain gang, down to the murderers' home, I'd have been in a better shape mama, if I'd have let that reckless woman alone.
So now bye-bye all you womens this is the last I've got to say Say I'm going on and make my time I'll be a free man some day, But I ain't going back to the chain gang, back to the murderers' home, I'd have been in a better shape baby, if I'd have let that reckless woman alone.
Thank you Banjochris for the lyrics. You really help me man you are a jedi master!
Uncle Bud in my opinion the question answer can surely be in a book written by lomax or an old magazine or newspaper but I don't really know all the context around John and Alan Lomax. Murderer and murderous are synonyms I think (I'm not sure)
Any help with a few word appreciated..one of the slide masterpieces, superior tone, both guitar and voice! Tom
I Got To Cross The River Jordan ? Blind Willie McTell - Atlanta Sessions 1949 I got to cross that ? I got.. ol Jordon .. Nobody here .. can ?. Lord I got ta .. River of Jordan That Jordan river is cold and chilly Lord I got .. I got to cross it ?. Nobody .. can ?. Lord I got ta .. chilly Jordan .. And I got I got to ??lie?? in some .. Lord I got .. in the graveyard?. Nobody .. can ?. Lord I gotta? .. in that cold place Then I got to meet my ?. Lord I got to meet my savior ?. Nobody .. can ?. So Lord I gotta .. my father? Then I got to stand my ?. Lord I got .. my trials ?. Nobody .. can .... Lord I got ta .. in the judgement.. Yet I got to weep that?. Lord I got? chilly Jordan ?. Nobody .. can?.Lord I got to .. deep water? Lord I got to walk that lonesome journey Lord I got .. ??Jesus?? journey .. Nobody .. can ?. Lord I got to .. oh Lordy ?. So now I got to cross cross cross that ?. Lord I got... Jordon ?. Nobody .. can ?. Lord I got to .. chilly Jordan ?.
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 05:40:48 PM by Johnm »
Let Me Play With Yo' Yo Yo can anyone clarify the fifth verse?
Mama let me play with yo' yo-yo I will let you play with mine Baby let me play with yo' yo-yo I like to take my time I got a brand new yo-yo, brand new string that's the way to drive the women hearts in pain Let me play with yo' yo-yo I'm gonna let you play with mine, I say I will let you play with mine
Mama let me play with yo' yo-yo I'll let you play with mine Baby let me play with your yo-yo string cause i'm a man like to take my time you might go east might go west that's why the women won't let me rest Let me play with yo' yo-yo I will let you play with mine, I say I'm gonna let you play with mine
play that thing for me, Weaver play it like Miss Cora like it she like it that way! she like it so it's good! do that thing to Miss Kate
Now, Mama let me play with yo' yo-yo I'm gonna let you play with mine that's why i'm crazy bout a real yo-yo ? like to take my time I'm gonna take all my money, throw it up against the wall I'll take what sticks and you can have what falls Let me play with yo' yo-yo-yo I will let you play with mine, I mean I'm gonna let you play with mine
Baby let me play with yo' yo-yo I'll let you play with mine that's why i'm wild about a real good yo-yo like to take my time you might throw it in a cadillac, throw it in a Ford i'll throw the string out on the running board Let me play with yo' yo-yo I will let you play with mine, I'm screamin I'm gonna let you play with mine
Mama Let me play with yo' yo-yo I'll let you play with mine that's why i'm wild about a real yo-yo said she like to take her time here i stand , against the fence A woman that mitted ?? ain't got no sense Let me play with yo' yo-yo I will let you play with mine, when you want it I'm gonna let you play with mine
Now baby let me handle your yo-yo string I'll let you play with mine that's why I'm wild bout a real yo-yo y'know i like to take my time twitch it like a tadpole, snatch it like a frog what every time i throw the string you got to holler gawd dog Let me play with yo' yo-yo I will let you play with mine, I say I'm gonna let you play with mine
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 05:41:47 PM by Johnm »
God Don't Like It does anyone hear the fourth verse differently?
Some say they done cut whiskey out but you can have a little wine most everybody gets on a drunk by drinking this old moonshine
refrain: now God don't like it and (I don't either) now God don't like it and (I don't either) now God don't like it and (I don't either) it's scandalous and a shame
some of our members gets on a drunk just to speak their sober minds and when they raise the Devil, Lord, they put all the blame on shine
refrain
some of our preachers just as bad as the members about this old moonshine they're trying to make love with every woman they meet just a buyin' and drinkin' shine
refrain
then some of our children got naked and the mothers never go but the father makes that money by the roll for the women know that shine is gold
refrain
they said this yellow corn makes the best kind of shine they'd better turn a-that corn to bread and stop that making shine
refrain
I know you don't like this song just because i speak my mind but i'll sing this song a-just as much as i please because i don't drink shine
refrain
edited for corrections suggested below
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 05:42:38 PM by Johnm »
Stomp Down Rider verse five could use some fresh ears
When I first met you Mama you was so nice and kind you done got reckless and changed your mind but you're the stomp down rider Now you're the stomp down rider you're the stomp down rider but you're much too drunk for me
When i was down south baby i was with my broad I'm here in Atlanta treated like your dog Now you're the ...
Now if you don't want me baby don't you dog me around Now honey chill i can leave your town Now you're the ...
Now if you don't want me baby give me your right hand I'll go back to my woman, you go back to your man Now you're the ...
I even give you my money, baby, ?? I done everything that you require But you're the ...
whip it a little bit boy
Even hold your head when you're feeling bad I'll even sing and dance for you when you're sad But you're the ...
You done come in this morning won't tell me where you been you got straight lovin goin back again But you're the ...
I'm walking round baby with my head hung low look here mama i ain't gonna do right no more But you're the ...
play it out
I want take me a trip up on the mountain top come back and show you how to eagle rock But you're the ...
I liked it cause it's good play it like it cause it's the same thing
When I first met you Mama you was so nice and kind you done got reckless and changed your mind but you're the ...
stand by if you wanna hear it again
« Last Edit: July 16, 2020, 05:43:17 PM by Johnm »