Topic: Frank Stokes Lyrics

[uncle bud]

Found myself compelled to figure this one out. "Memphis Rounders Blues" is the last song that Frank Stokes recorded. It's done as a solo out of D position. Very simple guitar part but a great song. As usual, all corrections welcome.



Memphis Rounders Blues - Frank Stokes
Memphis, 30 Sept. 1929
D position

Now what makes Memphis women love a rounder so
Now what makes Memphis women, baby, love a rounder so
'Cause he takes his time, doin' the work everywhere he goes

I don't drink whiskey but I'm crazy about my wine
I don't drink whiskey but I'm crazy about my wine
If you take my good gal, I give you trouble all the time

There's only four places in Memphis that I would like to go
Only four places in Memphis, I said that I would like to go
Where I could have a good time and do my work everywhere I go

Spoken: Aw, whip it now, whip it again

Throwed up my hands, clasped before the sun
Throwed up my hands, clasped before the sun
I might take my time with the work that I have once have done

Said I'm gonna sing this verse, I said I wasn't gonna sing no more
I'm gonna sing this verse, I said I wasn't gonna sing no more
If you hear me doin' any singing, you'll have to be standin' around my door

edited to pick up corrections from dingwall

[uncle bud]

We also seem to have lost the linked to version of "Mr. Crump Don't Like It". So here's what I've managed to do. This one's tricky to hear in spots.

Mr. Crump Don't Like It - Frank Stokes
Chicago, c. Sept. 1927
C position
 
Ah Mr Crump don't like it, ain't going to have it here
Ah Mr Crump don't like it, ain't going to have it here
Ah Mr Crump don't like it, ain't going to have it here
No barrelhouse women, cards and drinking no beer
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't going to have it here

I saw the Baptist sister jumped up and began to shout
I saw the Baptist sister jumped up and began to shout
Ah now the Baptist sister jumped up and began to shout
Brother, I'm so glad that a whiskey voted out
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't going to have it here

I saw the Methodist sisters jumped up and they had a fit
I saw the Methodist sisters jumped up and they had a fit
I saw the Methodist sisters jumped up and they had a fit
She was doggone sorry we cain't go on yet??
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't going to have it here

I saw the Presbyterian sisters turn around and began to grin
I saw the Presbyterian sisters turn around and began to grin
I saw the Presbyterian sisters turn around and began to grin
Lord I believe I'll start out the barrelhousing again
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't going to have it here

I saw the deacon look around, sister why in the world don't you hurt
I saw the deacon look around, sister why in the world don't you hurt
I said the deacon look around, sister why in the world don't you hurt
I'd rather see you drunk than wearin' a hobble skirt
Now Mr Crump don't like it...

You don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree
You don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree
You don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree
Don't like my fruit, let my orchard be
Well Mr. Crump won't 'llow no...

[dingwall]

Lot of points, Andrew, but many are minor, like whether plural or singular!   In all such, and similar, cases I've capitalised the whole word, as adding an 's' or the like could be missed. 

Memphis Rounders Blues
 
1.3 'Cause he takes his time, DOIN' THE work everywhere he GO
3.2 Only four places in Memphis, (add I) said that I would like to go
SPOKEN: AW, WHIP IT NOW, WHIP IT AGAIN)
4.1/2 Throwed up my hands, clasped THEM 'FORE the sun
4.3 I might take my time with the work that I HAVE once have done(two HAVES!)
5.1 SAID I'm GONNA sing this verse, I said I wasn't GONNA sing no more
5.2 I'm GONNA sing this verse, I said I wasn't GONNA sing no more
5.3 If you hear me DOIN' any singing, YOU'LL HAVE TO be STANDIN' around my door

Mr. Crump Don't Like It
 
1.1/2/3 NOW Mr Crump don't like it, ain't going to have it here
1.4 No barrelhouse women GOIN' DRINKIN' no beer
1.5 Mr Crump don't like it, HE ain't GOIN' to have it here
2.1/2 I TOLD the Baptist SISTERS, jumped up and began to shout
2.3 AND(?) now the Baptist SISTERS jumped up and began to shout
2.4 Brother, I'm so glad ABOUT THE WHISKEY voted out
2.5 Mr Crump don't like it, ain't GOIN' to have it here
3.1/2/3 I TOLD the Methodist sisters, jumped up and they had a fit
3.4 TOO doggone SOBER, we cain't go on yet
3.5 'CAUSE Mr Crump don't like it, ain't GONNA have it here
4.1/2 I TOLD the Presbyterian sisters, TURNED around and BEGIN to grin
4.3 I TOLD the Presbyterian sisters, TURNED around, BEGIN to grin
4.4 Lord I believe THEY'LL start out TO BARRELHOUSIN' again
4.5 SO Mr Crump don't like it, ain't GOIN' to have it here
5.1/2 I TOLD the deacon, LOOKED around, sister why in the world don't you HUSH
5.3 I TOLD the deacon, LOOKED around, sister why (miss IN THE WORLD) don't you HUSH
5.4 I'd rather see you GET drunk AND WEAR THESE hobble SKIRTS
6.4 YOU don't like my fruit, let my ORCHARDS be
6.5 FOR Mr. Crump won't 'llow no...

[Rivers]

I used to play Crump in one of my duo outfits. Here's what we had for it.
Some of it is gibberish admittedly, I offer it up for your delectation 'as is, where is', no refunds...

Mr Crump Don?t Like It ? Beale Street Sheiks, Chicago September 1927
Base chord position ?C?, capo 2, lyrics are best guess!!.

(Instrumental verse intro)

Ah Mr Crump don?t like it, ain?t gonna have it here (x3)
No barrelhouse women, cards, or drinking no beer, Mr Crump...

I go to Baptist church I jumped up and began to shout (x3)
Well I?m so glad, I buyed a whiskey, poured it out, Mr Crump...

I saw the Memphis sisters jumped up and they had a fit (x3)
She was dog gone sober which ain?t gone yet, Mr Crump...

I saw the cripples and sisters turn around and begin to grin (x3)
Lord I believe I snuck out, the barrelhouse snuck in, Mr Crump...

I going to take a look around, sister, why in the world don?t you hurry (x3)
That rush sheeked the governor, why it almost hurt, Mr Crump...

You don?t like my peaches, don?t you shake my tree (x3)
You don?t like my fruit let my orchard be, Mr Crump...

[uncle bud]

Lot of points, Andrew, but many are minor, like whether plural or singular!   In all such, and similar, cases I've capitalised the whole word, as adding an 's' or the like could be missed. 

Thanks dingwall. Have made most of the changes to Memphis Rounders. Still double-checking Crump. That "TOLD" changes a lot and I'm still trying to verify that's what I'm hearing. Seems right.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
"Downtown Blues, Take 2" is a Frank Stokes/Dan Sane number that after searching through this thread (all 14 pages!) I was surprised to discover had not been transcribed here previously.  For this performance, the duo is sounding in B, with Frank Stokes playing out of G position in standard tuning, and Dan Sane flat-picking out of C position in standard tuning.  They really devote a lot of time in the rendition to solo space, and every bit of it is justified, for their instrumental work is terrific.  It makes me think that they may have jammed at great length at dances, much like the Big Bands of later years, which often had a lot of playing with a little bit of singing.  I think I'm pretty close here with the lyrics, but with Frank Stokes you never know, so other interpretations are welcomed.



   SOLO

   Hey, listen mama, the world is done gone away
   Hey, listen mama, the world is done gone away
   I've got a bad-luck deal, get me troubles every day

   SOLO

   And I'm goin', I'm goin', put black crepe on your door
   And I'm goin', I'm goin', pin a black crepe on your door
   Tell 'er your man ain't dead, just ain't come to your house no more

   And I'm goin' downtown, gon' stay 'round there 'til dark
   And I'm goin' downtown, gonna stay 'round there 'til dark
   I don't want no trouble, don't want you to drive me on

   SOLO, 2 PASSES

   Now when you lay down at night, set down early and try to take your rest
   Now when you lay down at night, lay down early, try to take your rest
   You get a call 'bout four o'clock, wake up and try to do your best

   I've got a gal in the country, I've got two that stays in town
   I've got a girl in the country, I've got two that stays in town
   Reason, I can feel it so careful, 'cause nar' one don't throw me down

   SOLO, 4 PASSES

Edited, 5/17, to pick up corrections from Andrew

All best,
Johnm
   
   
 

[uncle bud]

Just to clarify, there are two takes of Downtown Blues, and they feature different lyrics. The one John transcribes above is take 2.

v.1.1, 1.2  I think I hear "listen mama"

3.1, 3.2 It's hard to say, but I think I am hearing "til dark" not dawn.

4.3  This line appears elsewhere in Stokes as I recall discussing it somewhere. I hear "You get a call 'bout four o'clock, wake up and try to do your best"

[Johnm]

Thanks for the help, Andrew.  I think your suggestions are correct in every instance.  I will make the changes.
All best,
Johnm

[Mike Brosnan]

Well, the only "Downtown Blues" I have doesn't match the lyrics Johnm posted, so I guess I've got Take 1.  Here's what I came up with:

Well, I don't drink whiskey but I'm crazy 'bout my beer
Well, I don't drink whiskey but I'm crazy 'bout my beer
This is 1928 an' it must be a brand new year

An' if I's young? I'd take me to your back door
Ahhhhh....  Now take me to your back door
As the times get rough I ain't gon' make the trip no more

And I'm goin' downtown, gon' stay 'round there 'til dark
And I'm goin' downtown, gonna stay 'round there 'til dark
You don't like my treatment you can make you another stock?

An' I'm sittin' right here, now, lookin' straight in your face
An' I'm sittin' right here, now, lookin' straight in your face
If you gon' do better, girl, it's time for to you make haste[sic?]

Now when you lay down at night, set down early and try to take your rest
Now when you lay down at night, lay down early, try to take your rest
You get a call 'bout four o'clock, wake up and try to do your best

Now what make I know that my good gal like me so
Now what make I know that my good gal like me so
Because she takes her time, she do work everywhere she go

Obviously, I'm not too confident 'bout a couple lines there, so any help is much appreciated.  Out of laziness, I just copied and pasted the verses that overlap between the two takes.  I may have missed some variations. 

[GhostRider]

Howdy:

I transcribed this one off the Blues Images calander CD of a few years back.

Great guitar duet. During the V chord the effect created is almost 12-stringish.

A few spots I can't get (typical of Stokes singing). I've attached and MP3 so hopefully folks can help me out.

Thanks,
Alex



Beale Town Bound
Beale Street Sheiks (Frank Stokes, Dan Sain)
Acoustic guitar duet.
1927

Instrumental introduction verse
spoken (Stokes): On my way, I?m Beale Town bound.

Instrumental intro verse

1) Well, I?m, believing mama, goin? to leave you now.
And I?m goin? away mama, I?m goin? to leave you now.
Everytime I think I think I?m downtown ... bound.

2) Eh, listen at me mama what I'm 'bout to say to you.
Eh, listen mama, what I?m 'bout to say to you
Anything in the world mama, that I want you to do.

3) Instrumental verse
spoken (Stokes): Everytime I feel like rockin?, I feel like rockin? downtown.

4) If the blues get away from me mama, I?m goin? back home with you.
If the blues get away from me mama, I?m goin? back home with you.
Everytime I feel think 'bout the things I want you to do.

5) Well  I?m goin?, I?m goin? mama, what you want me to bring you back.
Well  I?m goin?, I?m goin? mama, what you want me to bring you back.
Mama, think about the things in the world that your good  friend lack.

6) Instrumental verse
Spoken (Stokes): Say fellas, don?t you know she?s mine. she?s yours, she?s somebody elses?

7) And I?m goin? somewheres now to sit down on the floor.
And I?m goin? somewheres now sit down on the floor.
And everytime I get back, goin? back home no more.

And I feel like hollerin? murder, baby in the first degree.
And I feel like hollarin? murder, mama in the first degree.
You didn't have no biz mama startin' to be with me

Outro
spoken (Stokes): B?lieve it now, son.

Note: edited to reflect dj's comments below



[attachment deleted by admin]

[dj]

Does anyone know when this was recorded?

Sometime in August 1927.

[dj]

A few suggestions:

Verse 1:
Every time I think I think I?m downtown BOUND

Verse 2:
Eh, listen at me mama what I'M 'BOUT to say to you

Verse 4:
If the blues get AWAY FROM me mama, I?m goin? back home with you
If the blues get AWAY FROM me mama, I?m goin? back home with you
Every time I feel THINK 'BOUT the things I want you to do

Verse 7:
And I?m goin? SOMEWHERES NOW TO sit DOWN on the floor
And I?m goin? SOMEWHERES NOW sit DOWN on the floor
And every time I get back, goin? back home no more

Verse 8:
And I feel like HOLLERIN? murder, BABY IN THE FIRST DEGREE
And I feel like HOLLERIN? murder, mama IN THE FIRST DEGREE
You DIDN'T have no biz mama STARTIN' TO BE with me

[GhostRider]

A few suggestions:

Verse 1:
Every time I think I think I?m downtown BOUND

Verse 2:
Eh, listen at me mama what I'M 'BOUT to say to you

Verse 4:
If the blues get AWAY FROM me mama, I?m goin? back home with you
If the blues get AWAY FROM me mama, I?m goin? back home with you
Every time I feel THINK 'BOUT the things I want you to do

Verse 7:
And I?m goin? SOMEWHERES NOW TO sit DOWN on the floor
And I?m goin? SOMEWHERES NOW sit DOWN on the floor
And every time I get back, goin? back home no more

Verse 8:
And I feel like HOLLERIN? murder, BABY IN THE FIRST DEGREE
And I feel like HOLLERIN? murder, mama IN THE FIRST DEGREE
You DIDN'T have no biz mama STARTIN' TO BE with me

dj:

I like all of these corrections.

Alex

[uncle bud]

I was listening to "You Shall" and noticed we didn't have it in this thread. It was dealt with separately in a Chords/Licks thread.

Here's the slightly updated version of the transcription I did back then, with corrections from banjochris. And here's a link to the helpful Stokes/Sane calculus provided by frankie a while back.




You Shall - Frank Stokes
Chicago, c. Aug. 1927
Stokes: D position  (capoed up) Sane: G position (tuned down)  pitch: F


Oh well it's our Father who art in heaven
The preacher owed me ten dollars, he paid me seven
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
If I hadn't took the seven Lord, I wouldn't have got none

Had to fight about it
What he owed me
My money, you shall

Oh well some folks said that a preacher wouldn't steal
I caught about eleven in the watermelon field
Just a-cuttin' and a-slicin' got to tearing up the vine
They's eatin' and talkin' most all the time

They was hungry
Leave the rind, brother, you shall
Save my vines
Don' rob me, you shall
My melons, you shall

Oh well you see that preacher layin? behind the log
A hand on the trigger got his eye on the hog
The hog said mmm, the gun said biff
Jumped on the hog with all his grip

He had pork chops, you shall
Had backbone
Had spare ribs, you shall
Now and the good Lord set me free

Now when I first moved to Memphis, Tennessee
I was crazy about the preachers as I could be
I went out on my front porch a-walking about
Invite the preacher over to my house
He washed his face, he combed his head
Next thing he want to do was slip in my bed
I caught him by the head, man kicked him out the door
Don't allow my preacher at my house no more

I don?t like ?em
They will rob you
Steal your daughter
Take your wife from you, you shall
Eat your chicken
Spend your money, you shall
They will rob you
Plantation, you shall

Pray mourner, in the morning, you shall
Feel the spirit
Help me tell it, you shall
Now and the good Lord set me free


Chris also added the following verse from the first recorded version, which would come after the hog shooting verse:

Now I'm getting old lord my head gettin' grey
Lord, I'm not bowlegged but I walk that a-way
I'm settin' here lookin' down the street
Sittin' here lookin' at the preacher's face
I look right still he begin to pout
And I look at the preacher he began to walk 'bout
I looked right steady and began to see
A man like that ain't the man for me
I'm gettin' old, lord thinkin' 'bout the dough
Don't like about a preacher nowhere they go

[uncle bud]

I don't see Mistreatin' Blues anywhere here either. Stokes does this solo.

Help appreciated for the uncertain bits.



Mistreatin' Blues - Frank Stokes

recorded Memphis, August 27, 1928
E position, pitched at F


Ah you mistreat me, ah baby drove me from your door
Ah but the good book say, mama you got to reap just what you sow

Ah if you don't want me, you don't have to run no stall
I can find more good gals than a passenger train can haul

I ain't goin' by your color, ah woman neither by your good hair
Ah but the treatment that you give me, baby [call me] from anywhere

Ah you may be brown-skinned and your [hair won't get long??]
If you mistreat me woman, you sure God lost your home

Another short-haired woman waitin' to carry your trouble home
She make you think through the daytime, trouble you all night long
She make think you right when you know good well you wrong

And I'm goin' to the gypsy, have my good gal's fortune told
She's got a pocketful of greenback, a mouth stuck full of gold

And it's wonder what's the reason, ah baby I can't rest at night?
For the gal that I'm crazy 'bout have took my appetite