Topic: Bill Gaither Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I've enjoyed this tune for the past several years after discovering it on "The Essential Bill Gaither", put out by Document.  I can't offer any information on the ensemble personnel, for none is included in the liner notes.  The song starts with a lyric break in the first four bars, backed by a dangerously catchy harmonized ascending line in the bass.  I just started performing the song this week-end with Orville Johnson and Grant Dermody, and it is a gas.  I look forward to trying to get sick of it.



   Well, the weather's got rough, I ain't got no winter clothes
   And it looks like that devil of mine, gonna put me outdoors
   REFRAIN:  Oh, baby, I'm behind the eight ball now
   A dollar bill is my friend, ain't no human friends nohow

   I was workin' for a man named Sam, in water to my knees
   Eatin' left-over bread and rolls, scrap meat and black-eyed peas
   REFRAIN:  Oh, baby, I'm behind the eight ball now
   My friend is a dollar bill, baby, ain't no human friends nohow

   Well, I tried the relief, Social Security too
   They said, "You ain't been here so long, there ain't nothin' we can do"
   REFRAIN:  Yes, baby, I'm behind the eight ball now
   My friend is a dollar bill, baby, ain't no human friend nohow

   When I meet my friends, out on the street
   They afraid I want a dime, so they don't even speak
   REFRAIN:  Yes, people, I'm behind that black ball now
   My friend is a dollar bill, baby, ain't no human friends nohow

   Now I been lookin' for a letter, not a letter did I see
   And it looked like Mr. Melrose forgot to send for me
   REFRAIN:  Yes, baby, I'm behind the eight ball now
   My friend is a dollar bill, baby, ain't no human friends nohow

All best,
Johnm
 

[dj]

I can't offer any information on the ensemble personnel,

You're not alone there, John.  B&GR4 has "unknown piano, Leonard Caston or Bill Gaither guitar, unknown string bass".  The song was recorded for Okeh in Chicago on January 24, 1941.

[Bunker Hill]

Just for information Pen Bogert singles this track out for special mention in the Document booklet to the complete (vol. 5) referring to it as "one of his best songs".

[jharris]

Definitely one of his best numbers. I spotlighted him several months ago on my program: http://sundayblues.org/archives/645

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Bill "Little Bill" Gaither was a singer and guitarist who had some hits in the mid to late '30s.  I believe he was originally from Kentucky, but by the time he became a recording musician he was living in Indianapolis.  He's somewhat analogous to Johnny Temple, in that his early recordings featured him playing guitar, but the deeper he got into his recording career, the more he was featured just singing on his records, accompanied by studio players.  On many of his records he was accompanied by a really terrific pianist, Honey Hill. 
I don't know who accompanies him "Georgia Barrelhouse", but is the first track of his I ever heard, on an old Biograph/Historical re-issue.  He was a fine singer with a strong, bright voice.  Here is the song:



INTRO

I know you're from Georgia, but you all right with me
I know you're from Georgy, but you're all right with me
And if you love me, I wonder what can it be?

You was once a good girl, and I had faith in you
You was once a good girl, and I had faith in you
But when you started to drinkin', nothin's too bad to do

SOLO

Drinkin' won't help you now, cryin' won't do no good
Drinkin' won't help you now, cryin' won't do no good
Before the early morning, I'll be down at your neighborhood

SOLO (Spoken: You just one of them old barrelhouse gals, runnin' up and down these old alleys.  Drinkin' this old bad alcohol and stayin' out all night.  That stuff's got to be cut out now, I'm gon' tell my thoughts in a minute.  I'm gon' get drunk one of these nights.)

I'm gonna get drunk one of these nights and tell my sober thoughts
I'm gonna get drunk one of these nights and tell my sober thoughts
You know what I mean, give me back everything I bought

All best,
Johnm

[Stuart]

Here are links to a couple of related threads:

http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=6633.msg52553#msg52553

http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=270.msg46130#msg46130

Document still has a few copies of "The Essential":

http://www.document-records.com/fulldetails.asp?ProdID=CBL-200018

Also:

http://www.allmusic.com/album/bill-gaither-the-essential-mw0000006830

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-gaither-mn0001357959


Please feel free to clean this post up as you see fit, John.

[Blues Vintage]

In The Wee Wee Hours


Bill Gaither – Vocals, Guitar
Honey Hill – Piano

August 27, 1937
New York City, New York

Piano in C





INTRO

In the wee wee hours, just about sunrise
In the wee wee hours, just about sunrise
My mind is worrying, tears standing in my eyes

My mind rolls on, back to when I was happy and free
My mind rolls on, back to when I was happy and free
Well, I wonder why, nobody cares for me

Blues, why do you worry me, why do you stay so long?
Blues, why do you worry me, why do you stay so long?
You came to me one evening, you’ve been with me from then on

Sometimes I feel like, that I am just a slave
Sometimes I feel like, I am just a slave
When the blues gets on me, I’d rather be in my grave

What’s the use of living, if you can’t have the one you love?
What’s the use of living, if you can’t have the one you love?
Give yourself to the devil, your soul to the Lord up above

[Blues Vintage]

A Thousand Years And A Day


Bill Gaither – Vocals, Guitar
Honey Hill – Piano

June 23, 1938
New York City, New York

Piano in F





INTRO

I’m leaving this morning, to never return again
I’m leaving this morning, to never return again
I’ve done all a poor man could do, and I have tried to be a friend

You know I tried to love you, tried to treat you nice and kind
I've tried to love you, tried to treat you nice and kind
But you treated me so low-down, till I just can’t keep from cryin’

I went raggedy and hungry, and you know I’ve slept outdoors
I've went raggedy and hungry, ooh, and you know I’ve slept outdoors
So you could wear silk and satin, and your high-grade hose

Goodbye, baby, do the best you can
Goodbye, baby, do the best you can
You should be satisfied, you can go live with your other man

Don’t you hear that train a-coming, to carry me away?
Don’t you hear that train a-coming, to carry me away?
I’m bidding you a lifetime goodbye, a thousand years and a day

[Johnm]

Hi Blues Vintage,
In "In The Wee Wee Hours" in 3.3 there is a typo,
   You came to me ONE evening, . . .
3.1 and 3.2 and 5.1 and 5.2 should end with question marks

In "A Thousand Years And A Day"

2.2 I'VE tried to love you, . . .
3.2 I'VE went raggedy and hungry
5.1 and 5.2 should end in question marks

[Blues Vintage]

I really like the meticulous detail at this forum.
Thanks, John. I made the changes.

[Blues Vintage]

Life Of Leroy Carr


Bill Gaither – Vocals
Probably Blind John Davis or Joshua Altheimer – Piano
Unknown – Guitar
Unknown – Bass

Chicago, Illinois
June 12, 1940

Piano in C





INTRO

Bumble Bee Slim has told you, about the death of his clostest (sic) friend
Bumble Bee Slim has told you, about the death of his clostest (sic) friend
But I’m goin’ to tell you, from the beginning to the end

Leroy was born in Nashville, down in dear old Tennessee
Leroy was born in Nashville, down in dear old Tennessee
In the Smoky Mountain, right close by the Santa Fe

Leroy came into the world, in nineteen hundred and five
Leroy came into the world, in nineteen hundred and five
He was only seven years old, when the blues arrived

In nineteen twenty-eight, he made the “How Long” and “Prison Bound”
In nineteen twenty-eight, he made the “How Long” and “Prison Bound”
He had a lots of luck and success, and the cash came rolling ‘round

So many women, hung around to hear the poor boy sing
So many women hung around, to hear the poor boy sing
He would spend his money, because money did not mean a thing