Автор неизвестен. Robert Johnson

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Origin: Internet Audio Guide Михаила Гунина http://www.mv.ru/~gunin/
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Роберт Джонсон - легендарный американский музыкант 30-х гг.

Тексты Robert Johnson

Kindhearted Woman Blues (take 1)

Kindhearted Woman Blues (take 2)

I Believe I'll Dust My Broom

Sweet Home Chicago

Rambling On My Mind (take 1)

Rambling On My Mind (take 2)

When You Got A Good Friend (take 1)

When You Got A Good Friend (take 2)

Come On In My Kitchen (take 1)

Come On In My Kitchen (take 2)

Terraplane Blues

Phonograph Blues (take 1)

Phonograph Blues (take 2)

32-20 Blues

They're Red Hot

Dead Shrimp Blues

Cross Road Blues (take 1)

Cross Road Blues (take 2)

Walking Blues

Last Fair Deal Gone Down

Preaching Blues (up Jumped The Devil)

If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day

Stones In My Passway

I'm A Steady Rollin' Man

From Four Till Late

Hellhound On My Trail

Little Queen Of Spades (take 1)

Little Queen Of Spades (take 2)

Malted Milk

Drunken Hearted Man (take 1)

Drunken Hearted Man (take 2)

Me And The Devil Blues (take 1)

Me And The Devil Blues (take 2)

Stop Breakin' Down Blues (take 1)

Stop Breakin' Down Blues (take 2)

Traveling Riverside Blues

Honeymoon Blues

Love In Vain (take 1)

Love In Vain (take 4)

Milkcow's Calf Blues (take 2)

Milkcow's Calf Blues (take 3)

KINDHEARTED WOMAN BLUES (take 1)

I got a kindhearted woman

    do anything in this world for me

I got a kindhearted woman

    do anything in this world for me

But these evil-hearted women

    man, they will not let me be

I love my baby

    my baby don't love me

I love my baby, oooh

    my baby don't love me

But I really love that woman

    can't stand to leave her be

A-ain't but the one thing

    makes Mister Johnson drink

I's worried 'bout how you treat me, baby

    I begin to think

Oh babe, my life don't feel the same

You breaks my heart

    when you call Mister So-and-So's name

(guitar solo)

She's a kindhearted woman

    she studies evil all the time

She's a kindhearted woman

    she studies evil all the time

You well's to kill me

    as to have it on your mind

Notes: 1. The guitar solo in this take is the only one Johnson ever recorded!

2. The "well's" in the last verse is a dialectic contraction of "had

just as well" and is still in common usage. It also appears in the

next take. See also "Come On In My Kitchen" (take 2).

KINDHEARTED WOMAN BLUES (take 2)

I got a kindhearted mama

    do anything in this world for me

I got a kindhearted mama

    do anything in this world for me

But these evil-hearted women

    man, they will not let me be

I love my baby

    my baby don't love me

I love my baby, oooh

    my baby don't love me

I really love that woman

    can't stand to leave her be

Now there ain't but the one thing

    Makes Mister Johnson drink

I gets worried 'bout how you treat me, baby

    I begin to think

Oh babe, my life don't feel the same

You breaks my heart

    when you call Mister So-and-So's name

She's a kindhearted mama

    she studies evil all the time

She's a kindhearted woman

    but she studies evil all the time

You well's to kill me, baby

    as to have it on your mind

Some day, some day

    I would shake your hand good-bye

Some day, some day, hee

    I would shake your hand good-bye

I can't give you anymore of my lovin'

    'cause I just ain't satisfied

Notes: 1. See notes to "Kindhearted Woman Blues" (take 1).

I BELIEVE I'LL DUST MY BROOM

I'm gon' get up in the mornin'

    I believe I'll dust my broom

I'm gon' get up in the mornin'

    I believe I'll dust my broom

Girl friend, the black man you been lovin'

    girlfriend, can get my room

I'm gon' write a letter

    telephone every town I know

I'm gon' write a letter

    telephone every town I know

If I can't find her in West Helena

    she must be in East Monroe, I know

I don't want no woman

    wants every downtown man she meet

I don't want no woman

    wants every downtown man she meet

She's a no good doney

    they shouldn't low her on the street

I believe

    I believe I'll go back home

I believe

    I believe I'll go back home

You can mistreat me here, babe

    but you can't when I go home

And I'm gettin' up in the mornin'

    I believe I'll dust my broom

I'm gettin' up in the momin'

    I believe I'll dust my broom

Girl friend, the black man you been lovin'

    girlfriend, can get my room

I'm 'on' call up Chiney

    see is my good girl over there

I'm gon' call up China

    see is my good girl over there

'f I can't find her on Phillipine's Island

    she must be in Ethiopia somewhere

Notes: 1."Chiney'' and ''Phillipine's Island'' are not typographical errors,

but simply approximations of how Johnson pronounced those

place names.

2. West Helena and East Monroe are separated by some 30 miles of

Arkansas Delta land and joined by U.S.Highways 49 and 79.

3. "Doney'' is a woman of low character. The word is a slang and is

not in general usage today.

SWEET HOME CHICAGO

Oh

    baby, don't you want to go

Oh

    baby, don't you want to go

Back to the land of California

    to my sweet home Chicago

Oh

    baby, don't you want to go

Oh

    baby, don't you want to go

Back to the land of California

    to my sweet home Chicago

Now one and one is two

    two and two is four

I'm heavy loaded baby

    I'm booked, I gotta go

Cryin', baby

    honey, don't you want to go

Back to the land of California

    to my sweet home Chicago

Now two and two is four

    four and two is six

You gon' keep on monkeyin' 'round here friend-boy,

    you gon' get your

    business all in a trick

But I'm cryin', baby

    honey, don't you want to go

Back to the land of California

    to my sweet home Chicago

Now fix and two is eight

    eight and two is ten

Friend-boy, she trick you one time

    she sure gon' do it again

But I'm cryin', hey, hey

    baby, don't you want to go

To the land of California

    to my sweet home Chicago

I'm goin' to California

    from there to Des Moines, Iowa

Somebody will tell me that you

    need my help someday, cryin'

Hey hey

    baby, don't you want to go

Back to the land of California

    to my sweet home Chicago

Notes: 1. "Friend-boy' 'is a dialectic substitute for "boyfriend" when used

between man. See also "Cross Road Blues " (take 2)

RAMBLING ON MY MIND (take 1)

I got ramblin'

    I got ramblin' on my mind

I got ramblin'

    I got ramblin' all on my mind

Hate to leave my baby

    but you treats me so unkind

I got mean things

    I got mean things all on my mind

Little girl, little girl

    I got mean things all on my mind

Hate to leave you here, babe

    but you treats me so unkind

Runnin' down to the station

    catch the first mail train I see

    spoken: I think I hear her comin' now

Runnin' down to the station

    catch that old first mail train I see

I got the blues 'bout Miss So-and-So

    and the child got the blues about me

And I'm leavin' this mornin'

    with my arm' fold' up and cryin'

And I'm leavin' this mornin'

    with my arm' fold' upped and cryin'

I hate to leave my baby

    but she treats me so unkind

I got mean things

    I've got mean things on my mind

I got mean things

    I got mean things all on my mind

I got to leave my baby

    well, she treats me so unkind

RAMBLING ON MY MIND (take 2)

I got ramblin'

    I got ramblin' on my mind

I've got ramblin'

    I got ramblin' all on my mind

Hate to leave my baby

    but you treats me so unkind

And now babe

    I will never forgive you anymore

Little girl, little girl

    I will never forgive you anymore

You know you did not want me

    baby, why did you tell me so?

And I'm runnin' down to the station

    catch that first mail train I see

    spoken: I hear her comin' now.

An' I'm runnin' down to the station

    catch that old first mail train I see

I've got the blues 'bout Miss So-and-So

    and the child got the blues about me

An' they's de'ilment

    she got devilment on her mind

She got devilment

    little girl, you got devilment all on your mind

Now I got to leave this mornin'

    with my arm' a-fold' up and cryin'

I believe

    I believe my time ain't long

I believe

    I believe that my time ain't long

But I'm leavin' this mornin'

    I believe I will go back home

WHEN YOU GOT A GOOD FRIEND (take 1)

When you got a good friend

    that will stay right by your side

When you got a good friend

    that will stay right by your side

Give her all of your spare time

    love and treat her right

I mistreated my baby

    and I can't see no reason why

I mistreated my baby

    but I can't see no reason why

Everytime I think about it

    I just wring my hands and cry

Wonder could I bear apologize

    or would she sympathize with me

Mmmmm mmm  mmm

    would she sympathize with me

She's a brownskin woman

    just as sweet as a girl friend can be

Mmm mmm

    babe, I may be right ay wrong

Baby, it's yo'y opinion

    oh, I may be right ay wrong

Watch your close friend, baby

    then your ene'ies can't do you no harm

When you got a good friend

    that will stay right by your side

When you got a good friend

    that will stay right by your side

Give her all of your spare time-aah

    love and treat her right

Notes: I. The underlined "ay" and "yo'y'' above are obviously Johnson's

own particular way of pronouncing "or" and "your",

respectively. The latter also appears once in (take 2), q.v. This

group of dialectic shadings in his speech probably accounts for

the take never seeing issuance on 78.

WHEN YOU GOT A GOOD FRIEND (take 2)

Mmm, when you got a good friend

    that will stay right by your side

When you got a good friend

    that will stay right by your side

Give her all of your spare time

    try to love and treat her right

I mistreated my baby

    I can't see no reason why

I mistreated my baby

    I can't see no reason why

Everytime I thinks about it

    I just wring my hands and cry

Wonder could I bear apologize

    or would she sympathize with me

Mmmmmmmmmm

    or would she sympathize with me

She's a brownskin woman

    just as sweet as a girl friend can be

I love my baby

    but I can't make that agee

I love that woman

    but what can we can't agree

I really love that woman

    nnn, wonder why we can't agree

It's your opinion

    friend-girl, I may be right or wrong

It's yo'y opinion

    friend-girl, I may be right or wrong

But when  you watch your close friend, baby

    then your enemies can't do you no harm

When  you got a good friend

    that will stay right by your side

When  you got a good friend

    that will stay right by your side

Give her all of your spare time

    try to love and treat her right

Notes: 1. The underlined passages above are clearly nonsensical as

performed and are probably the cause of the take not being

i

ssued originally.

2. "Friend-girl" is an alternate for "girlfriend" and is still in

frequent use today.

3. See notes to "When You Got A Good Friend" (take 1)

COME ON IN MY KITCHEN (take 1)

Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

    mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

    mmm mmm mmm mmm

You better come on

    in my kitchen

    babe, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

Ah, the woman I love

    took from my best friend

Some joker got lucky

    stole her back again

You better come on

    in my kitchen

    baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

Oh-ah, she's gone

    I know she won't come back

I've taken the last nickel

    out of her nation sack

You better come on

    in my kitchen

    babe, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

spoken: Oh, can't you hear that wind howl?

    Oh-y', can't you hear that wind would howl?

You better come on

    in my kitchen

    baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

When a woman gets in trouble

    everybody throws her down

Lookin' for her good friend

    none can be found

You better come on

    in my kitchen

    baby, it's gon' to be rainin' outdoors

Winter time's comin'

    hit's gon' be slow

You can't make the winter, babe

    that's dry long so

You better come on

    in my kitchen

    'cause it's gon' to be rainin' outdoors

Notes: 1. A "nation sack" is a small pouch worn around the neck in which

keepsakes and valuables are kept.

2. "Dry long so" is a dialectic description of an impoverished

condition. In this case, it relates specifically to not having enought

necessities to last through the winter.

3. The underlined "h" above is phonetically correct although

certainly meaningless.

COME ON IN MY KITCHEN (take 2)

Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

    mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm

    mmm mmm mmm mmm

You better come on

    in my kitchen

    it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

When a woman get in trouble

    everybody, throws her down

Lookin' for yo' good friend

    none can be found

You better come on

    in my kitchen

    it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

Nnn, the woman I love

    took from my best friend

Some joker got lucky

    stole her back again

She better come on

    in my kitchen

    baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors spoken:

Mama, can't you hear that wind howl?

    Oh how the wind do howl!

You better come on

    in my kitchen

    mmm,  baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

Nnn, the woman that I love

    I crave to see

She's up the country

    won't write to me

Then, you better come on

    in my kitchen

    goin' to be rainin' outdoors

I went to the mountain

    far as my eyes could see

Some other man got my woman

    lonesome blues got me

But she better come on

    in my kitchen

    cause it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

My mama dead

    papa well's to be

Ain't got nobody

    to love and care for me

She better come on

    in this kitchen

    'cause it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

Notes: 1. See notes under "Kindhearted Woman Blues" (take 1)

TERRAPLANE BLUES

And I feel so lonesome

    you hear me when I moan

When I feel so lonesome

    you hear me when I moan

Who been drivin' my Terraplane

    for you since I been gone

I'd said I flash your lights, mama

    your horn won't even blow

    spoken: Somebody's been runnin' my batteries

    down on this machine

I even flash my lights, mama

    this horn won't even blow

Got a short in this connection

    hoo-well, babe, it's way down below

I'm 'on' h'ist your hood, mama

    I'm bound to check your oil

I'm gon' h'ist your hood, mama-mmm

    I'm bound to check your oil

I got a woman that I'm lovin'

    way down in Arkansas

Now, you know the coils ain't even buzzin'

    little generator won't get the spark

Motor's in a bad condition, you gotta have

    these batteries charged

But I'm cryin', please

    plea-hease don't do me wrong

Who been drivin' my Terraplane now for

    you-hoo since I been gone

Mr. Highwayman

    plea-hease don't block the road

Puh hee hee

    plea-hease don't block the road '

Cause she's re'ist'rin' a cold one hundred

    and I'm booked and I got to go

Mmm mmm

    mmm mmm mmm

You ooo ooo ooo

    you hear me weep and moan

Who been drivin' my Terraplane now for

    you-hoo since I been gone

I'm 'on' get deep down in this connection

    keep on tanglin' with your wires

I'm 'on' get deep down in this connection

    hoo-well, keep on tanglin' with these wires

And when I mash down on your little starter

     then your spark plug will give me fire

Notes: 1. The Terraplane was a low-priced, conservatively modern sedan

offered by the Hudson Motor Co. from 1933 to 1938 It was the

successor to their Essex and sported a remarkably efficient

6-cylinder, 70 horse-power engine. It was designed by Britisher

Reid Railton and had a top speed of 88 mites per hour!

PHONOGRAPH BLUES (take 1)

Beatrice, she got a phonograph

    and it won't say a lonesome word

Beatrice, she got a phonograph

    but it won't say a lonesome word

What evil have I done

    what evil has the poor girl heard

Beatrice, I love my phonograph

    but you have broke my windin' chain

Beatrice, I love my phonogra'-ooo

    honey, you have broke my windin' chain

And you've taken my lovin'

    and give it to your other man

Now, we played it on the sofa, now

    we played it 'side the wall

My needles have got rusty, baby

    they will not play at all

We played it on the sofa

    and we played it 'side the wall

But my needles have got rusty

    and it will not play at all

Beatrice, I go crazy

    baby, I will lose my mind

And I go cra'-eee

    honey, I will lose my mind

Why'n't you bring your clothes back home

    and try me one more time

She got a phonograph

    and it won't say a lonesome word

She got a phonograph

    ooo-won't say a lonesome word

What evil have I done

    or what evil have the poor girl heard

PHONOGRAPH BLUES (take 2)

Beatrice got a phonograph

    and it won't say a lonesome word

Beatrice got a phonograph

    and it won't say a lonesome word

What evil have I done

    what evil have the poor girl heard

Beatrice I love my phonograph

    but you broke my windin' chain

Beatrice I love my phonograph

    but you have broke my windin' chain

And you taken my lovin'

    and you give it to yo' other man

And we played it on the sofa

    and we played it 'side the wall

And we played it on the sofa

    and we played it 'side the wall

But boys, my needles have got rusty

    and it will not play a-t'all

Mmm, Beezatrice, I love my phonograph-mmm

    babe, and I'm bound to lose my mind

Beatrice, I love my phonograph

    and I'm 'bout to lose my mind

Why'n't you bring your clothes back home

    baby, and try me one more time

Now, my phonograph, mmm

    babe, it won't say a lonesome word

My little phonograph

    and it won't say a lonesome word

What evil have I done

    what evil have the poor girl heard

Now, Beatrice

    won't you bring your clothes back home

Now, Beatrice

    won't you bring your clothes back home

I wanna wind your little phonograph

    just to hear your little motor moan

Notes: 1. The underlined "ez" above is phonetically correct.

32-20 BLUES

'F I send for my baby

    and she don't come

'F I send for my baby

    man, and she don't come

All the doctors in Hot Springs

    sure can't help her none

And if she gets unruly

    thinks she don't wan' do

If she gets unruly and

    thinks she don't wan' do

Take my 32-20, now, and

    cut her half in two

She got a .38 special but I b'lieve it's most too light

She got a .38 special but I b'lieve it's most too light

I got a 32-20, got to make the camps alright

If I send for my baby, man, and she don't come

If I send for my baby

    man, and she don't come

All the doctors in Hot Springs

    sure can't help her none

I'm gonna shoot my pistol, gonna shoot my Gatling gun

I'm 'onna shoot my pistol, got-ta shoot my Gatling gun

You made me love you

    now your man have come

Ah-oh

    baby, where you stay last night

Ah-ah

    baby, where you stayed last night

You got your hair all tangled and

    you ain't talkin' right

Got a .38 special, boys, hit do very well

THEY'RE RED HOT

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

I got a girl, say she long and tall

She sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in the hall

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean

Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

She got two for a nickel, got four for a dime

Would sell you more, but they ain't none of mine

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean

Yeas, she got 'em for sale, yes, yeah

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

I got a letter from a girl in the room

Now, she got somethin' good she got to bring home

    soon, now

It's hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean

Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sate

    spoken: They're too hot, boy!

The billy goat back' in a bumble bee nest

Ever since that he can't take his rest, yeah

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yeah, you got 'em for sale, I mean

Yes, she got 'em for sale

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

spoken: Man, don't mess around 'em hot tamales, now,

    'cause they too black bad, if you

    ...mess around 'em hot tamales.

I'm 'onna upset your backbone, put your kidneys to sleep

I'll due to break 'way your liver and dare your heart to

    beat 'bout my

Hot tamales 'cause they red hot

    yes, they got 'em for sale, I mean

Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

You know grandma laughs, and now grandpa, too

Well, I wonder what in the world we chillun gon' do, now

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean

Yes, she got 'em for sale

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

Me and my babe bought a V-8 Ford

Well, we wind that thing all on the runnin' board, yes

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean

Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

    spoken: They too hot, boy

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, now, she got 'em for sale

You know the monkey, now the baboon playin' in

    the grass

Well, the monkey stuck his finger in that old

    "Good Gulf Gas," now

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale, I mean

Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, she got 'em for sale

I got a girl, say she long and tall

Now, she sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in

    the hall, yes

Hot tamales and they red hot

    yes, now, she got 'em for sale, I mean

Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah...

DEAD SHRIMP BLUES

I woke up this mornin'-nnn

    and all my shrimps was dead and gone

I woke up this mornin', ooh

    all my shrimps was dead and gone

I was thinkin' about you, baby

    why you hear me weep and moan

I got dead shrimps here

    someone is fishin' in my pond

I got dead shrimps he'-ooh

    someone fishin' in my pond

I've served my best bait, baby

    and I can't do that no harm

Keverything I do, babe, you got your mouth stuck out

Hole where I used to fish, you got me posted out

Everything I do

    you got your mouth stuck out

At the hole where I used to fish, baby

    you've got me posted out

I got dead shrimps here, 'n'

    someone fishin' in my pond

I got dead shrimps here

    someone fishin' in my pond

Catchin' my goggle-eye perches

    and they barbecuin' the bone

Now you take my shrimp, baby

    you know you turned me down

I couldn't do nothin' until I got myself unwound

You taken my shrimp

    ohh, know you turned me down

Babe, I couldn't do nothin'

    until I got myself unwound

CROSS ROAD BLUES (take 1)

I went to the crossroad

    fell down on my knees

I went to the crossroad

    fell down on my knees

Asked the Lord above "Have mercy, now

    save poor Bob, if you please"

Yeeoo, standin' at the crossroad

    tried to flag a ride oooo ooee eeee

    I tried to flag a ride

Didn't nobody seem to know me, babe

    everybody pass me by

Standin' at the crossroad, baby

    risin' sun goin' down

Standin' at the crossroad, baby

    eee eee eee, risin' sun goin' down

I believe to my soul, now

    po' Bob is sinkin' down

You can run, you can run

    tell my friend Willie Brown

You can run, you can run

    tell my friend Willie Brown

'at I got the crossroad blues this mornin', Lord

    babe, I'm sinkin' down

And I went to the crossroad, mama

    I looked east and west

I went to the crossroad, baby

    I looked east and west

Lord, I didn't have no sweet woman

    ooh-well, babe, in my distress

N

otes: 1. Webster's defines "at the crossroads" as "at the point where one

must choose between different courses of action" and the noun

"distress" as "the state of being distressed, anything that

distresses, a state, of danger or trouble".

CROSS ROAD BLUES (take 2)

I went to the crossroad

    fell down on my knees

I went to the crossroad

    fell down on my knees

Asked the Lord above "Have mercy

    save poor Bob, if you please"

Mmmmm, standin' at the crossroad

    I tried to flag a ride

Standin' at the crossroad

    I tried to flag a ride

Didn't nobody seem to know me

    everybody pass me by

Mmm, the sun goin' down, boy

    dark gon' catch me here oooo ooee eeee

    boy, dark gon' catch me here

I haven't got no lovin' sweet woman that

    love and feel my care

You can run, you can run

    tell my friend-boy Willie Brown

You can run

    tell my friend-boy Willie Brown

Lord, that I'm standin' at the crossroad, babe

    I believe I'm sinkin' down

Notes: 1. See notes to "Cross Road Blues" (take 1) and

"Sweet Home Chicago".

WALKING BLUES

I woke

    up this mornin'

    feelin' 'round for my shoes

Know 'bout 'at I got these

    old walkin' blues, woke

Up this mornin'

    feelin' 'round

    oh, for my shoes

But you know 'bout 'at I

    got these old walkin' blues

Lord, I

    feel like blowin' my

    woh-old lonesome home

Got up this mornin', my little Ber-

    nice was gone, Lord

I feel like

    blow-ooon'

    my lonesome home

Well, I got up this mornin'

    woh-all I had was gone

Well-ah

    leave this morn' if I have to

    woh, ride the blind, ah

I've feel mistreated and I

    don't mind dyin'

Leavin' this morn', ah

    I have to ride a blind

Babe, I been mistreated

    baby, and I don't mind dyin'

Well

    some people tell me that the worried

    blues ain't bad

Worst old feelin' I most

    ever had, some

people tell me that these

    old worried

    old blues ain't bad

It's the worst old feelin'

    I most ever had

She got a

    Elgin movement from her head down

    to her toes

Break in on a dollar most any-

    where she goes, ooo ooooooooo

To her head down to her toes

    spoken: Oh, honey

Lord, she break in on a dollar

    most anywhere she goes

LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN

It's the last fair deal goin' down

    last fair deal goin' down

It's the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord

    on that Gulfport Island Road

Eh, Ida Belle, don't cry this time

    Ida Belle, don't cry this time

If you cry about a nickel

    you'll die 'bout a dime

  She wouldn't cry, but the money won't mine

I love the way you do

    I love the way you do

I love the way you do, good Lord

    On this Gulfport Island Road

My captain's so mean on me

    my captain's so mean on me

My captain's so mean on m'-mmm, good Lord

    On this Gulfport Island Road

Take camp tain he and see

    camp ain't he and see

At scal ain't be at seen, good Lord

    On that Gulfport Island Road

Ah, this last fair deal goin' down

    it's the last fair deal goin' down

This' the last fair deal goin' down, good Lord

    On this Gulfport Island Road

I'm workin' my way back home

    I'm workin' my way back home

I'm workin' my way back home, good Lord

    On this Gulfport Island Road

And that thing don't keep a-ringin' so soon

    that thing don't keep a-ringin' so soon

And that thing don't keep a-ringin' so soon, good Lord

    On that Gulfed and Port Island Road

Notes: 1. The Gulf&Ship Island Railroad linked the docks at Ship Island,

Miss., just off the mainland at Gulfport, with the main line at

Jackson. It ran through Hattiesburg and was completed July 4,

1900, its vice-president being the colorful Colonel William C.

Falkner, grandfather of the famous American novelist, William

Faulkner. It was purchased by the Illinois Central in July 1925

for five million dollars and over the next three years over one

and a half times that amount was spent on improvements!

2. The underlined passages above are phonetic approximations of

what Johnson sings, which, in truth, may be nonsensical

3. The "won't'' in the first verse is a dialectic substitute for

"weren't."

PREACHING BLUES (UP JUMPED THE DEVIL)

Mmmmm mmmmm

I's up this mornin'

    ah, blues walkin' like a man

I's up this mornin'

    ah, blues walkin' like a man

Worried blues

    give me your right hand

And the blues fell mama's child

    tore me all upside down

Blues fell mama's child

    and it tore me all upside down

Travel on, poor Bob

    just cain't turn you' round

The blu-u-u-u-ues

    is a low-down shakin' chill

    spoken: Yes, preach 'em now.

Mmmmm mmmmm

    is a low-down shakin' chill

You ain't never had 'em, I

    hope you never will

Well, the blues

    is a achin' old heart disease

    spoken: Do it now.

            You gon' do it?

            Tell me all about it.

Let the blues

    is a low-down achin' heart disease

Like consumption

    killing me by degrees

I can study rain

    oh, oh, drive, oh, oh, drive my blues

I been studyin' the rain and

    I'm 'on' drive my blues away

Goin' to the 'stil'ry

    stay out there all day

Notes: 1. The underlined are phonetically correct although meaningless.

IF I HAD POSSESSION OVER JUDGMENT DAY

If I had possession

    over judgment day

If I had possession

    over judgment day

Lord, the little woman I'm lovin' wouldn't

    have no right to pray

And I went to the mountain

    lookin' far as my eyes could see

And I went to the mountain

    lookin' far as my eye would see

Some other man got my woman and the '-a

    lonesome blues got me

And I rolled and I tumbled and I

    cried the whole night long

And I rolled and I tumbled and I

    cried the whole night long

Boy, I woke up this mornin'

    my biscuit roller gone

Had to fold my arms and I

    slowly walked away

    spoken: I didn't like the way she done

Had to fold my arms and I

    slowly walked away

I said in my mind, "Yo'

    trouble gon' come some day."

Now run here, baby

    set down on my knee

Now run here, baby

    set down on my knee

I wanna tell you all about the

    way they treated me

STONES IN MY PASSWAY

I got stones in my passway

    and my road seem dark as night

I got stones in my passway

    and my road seem dark as night

I have pains in my heart

    they have taken my appetite

I have a bird to whistle

    and I have a bird to sing

Have a bird to whistle

    and I have a bird to sing

I got a woman that I'm lovin'

    boy, but she don't mean a thing

My enemies have betrayed me

    have overtaken poor Bob at last

My enemies have betrayed me

    have overtaken poor Bob at last

An' 'ere's one thing certainly

    they have stones all in my pass

Now you tryin' to take my life

    and all my lovin', too

You laid a passway for me

    now what are you trying to do

I'm cryin' please

    plea-ease let us be friends

And when you hear me howlin' in my passway, rider

    plea-ease open your door and let me in

I got three legs to truck home

    boys, please don't block my road

I got three legs to truck home

    boys, please don't block my road

I've been feelin' ashamed 'bout my rider

    babe, I'm booked and I got to go

Notes: 1. The second "trying" is the only instance in Johnson's lyrics

where he uses the uncontracted present participle.

I'M A STEADY ROLLIN' MAN

I'm a steady rollin' man

    I roll both night and day

I'm a steady rollin' man

    hmm  hmm, I roll both night and day

But I haven't got no sweet woman

    hmm  mmm, boys, to be rollin' this-a way

I'm the man that rolls

    when icicles is hangin' on the tree

I'm the man that rolls

    when icicles is hangin' on the tree

And now you hear me howlin', baby

    hmm hmm mmm, down on my bended knee

I'm a hard workin' man

    have been for many years, I know

I'm a hard workin' man

    have been for many long years, I know

And some cream puff's usin' my money

    ooh well, babe, but that'll never be no more

You can't give your sweet woman

    everything she wants in one time

Ooh hoo ooo, you can't give your sweet woman

    everything she wants in one time

Well, boys, she get ramblin' in her brain

    hmm mmm mmm, some monkey man on

    her mind

I'm a steady rollin' man

    I roll both night and day

I am a steady rollin' man

    and I roll both night and day

Well, I don't have no sweet woman

    hmm mmm, boys, to be rollin' this-a way

FROM FOUR TILL LATE

From four until late

    I was wringin' my hands and cryin'

>From four until late

    I was wringin' my hands and cryin'

I believe to my soul

    that your daddy's Gulfport bound

>From Memphis to Norfolk

    is a thirty-six hours' ride

>From Memphis to Norfolk

    is a thirty-six hours' ride

A man is like a prisoner

    and he's never satisfied

A woman is like a dresser

    some man always ramblin' th'ough its drawers

A woman is like a dresser

    some man's always ramblin' th'ough its drawers

It cause so many men

    wear an apron overhall

>From four until late

    she get with a no-good bunch and clown

>From four until late

    she get with a no-good bunch and clown

Now, she won't do nothin'

    but tear a good man' reputation down

When I leave this town

    I'm 'on' bid you fare...farewell

And when I leave this town

    I'm gon' bid you fare...farewell

And when I return again

    you'll have a great long story to tell

Notes: 1. It is a approximately 800 miles between Memphis and Norfolk.

HELLHOUND ON MY TRAIL

I got to keep movin'

    I've got to keep movin'

    blues fallin' down like hail

    blues fallin' down iike hail

Umm mmm mmm mmm

    blues fallin' down like hail

    blues fallin' down like hail

And the days keeps on worryin' me

    there's a hellhound on my trail

    hellhound on my trail

    hellhound on my trail

If today was Christmas Eve

    If today was Christmas Eve

    and tomorrow was Christmas Day

If today was Christmas Eve

    and tomorrow was Christmas Day

    spoken: Aow, wouldn't we have a time, baby?

All I would need my little sweet rider just

    to pass the time away, huh huh

    to pass the time away

You sprinkled hot foot powder, mmm

    mmm, around my door

    all around my door

You sprinkled hot foot powder

    all around your daddy's door, hmm hmm hmm

It keep me with ramblin' mind, rider

    every old place I go

    every old place I go

I can tell the wind is risin'

    the leaves tremblin' on the tree

    tremblin' on the tree

I can tell the wind is risin'

    leaves tremblin' on the tree,

    hmm hmm hmm mmm

All I need's my little sweet woman

    and to keep my company,  hey hey hey hey

    my company

Notes: 1. Webster's defines "hellhound" as "a dog of hell, as Cerberus, in

Greek and Roman mythology, the three-headed dog guarding the

gate of Hades."

2. "Doctor Pryor's Alleged Hot Foot Powder - for burning or

spinkling" is still manufactured by Japo Oriental Incense Co.,

Chicago 21, Ill.

3. The last "sweet" may sound like "street" to some ears, however,

in context, it is unlikely that this is the case.

LITTLE QUEEN OF SPADES (take 1)

Now, she is a little queen of spades

    and the men will not let her be

Mmm mmm mmm, she is the little queen of spades

    and the men will not let her be

Everytime she makes a spread

    hoo, fair brown, cold chill just runs all over me

I'm gon' get me a gamblin' woman

    if the last thing that I do

Eee hee eee, gon' get me a gamblin' woman

    if it's the last thing that I do

Well, a man don't need a woman

    hoo, fair brown, that he got to give all his money to

Everybody say she got a mojo

    now, she's been usin' that stuff

Mmm mmm mmm, 'verybody says she got a mojo

    'cause she been usin' that stuff

But she got a way trimmin' down

    hoo, fair brown, and I mean it's most too tough

Now little girl, since I am the King

    baby, and you is a queen

Ooo hoo eee, since I am the King

    baby, and you is a queen

Le's us put our heads together

    hoo, fair brown, then we can make our

    money  green

LITTLE QUEEN OF SPADES (take 2)

Mmme, she is a little queen of spades

    and the men will not let her be

Hoo hoo ooo, she is the little queen of spades

    and the men will not let her be

Everytime she makes a spread

    hoo, cold chill just runs all over me

'ell, I'm gon' get me a gamblin' woman

    'f i's the last thing that I do

Ooo hoo eee, gon' get me a gamblin' woman

    'f 's the last thing that I do

A man don't need a woman

    hoo, fair brown, he got to give all of his money to

'ell, everybody say she got a mojo

    baby, you've been usin' that stuff

Hmm hmm mmm, everybody say she got a mojo

    'cause she been usin' that stuff

She got a way trimmin' down

    hoo we', babe, and I mean it's most too tough

Well, well, little girl, since I am the King

    fair brown, and you is a queen

Hoo hoo ooe, since I am the King

    baby, and you is a queen

Le's we put our heads together

    hoo, fair brown, then we can make our

    money green

MALTED MILK

I keep drinkin' malted milk

    tryin' to drive my blues away

I keep drinkin' malted milk

    tryin' to drive my blues away

Baby, you just as welcome to my lovin'

    as the flowers is in May

Malted milk, malted milk

    keep rushin' to my head

Malted milk, malted milk

    keep rushin' to my head

And I have a funny, funny feelin'

    and I'm talkin' all out my head

Baby, fix me one more drink

    and hug your daddy one more time

Baby, fix me one more drink

    and hug your daddy one more time

Keep on stirrin' in my malted milk, mama

    until I change my mind

My doorknob keeps on turnin'

    it must be spooks around my bed

My doorknob keeps on turnin'

    must be spooks around my bed

I have a warm, old feelin'

    and the hair risin' on my head

DRUNKEN HEARTED MAN (take 1)

I'm a drunken hearted man

    my life seem so misery

I'm the drunken hearted man

    my life seem so misery

And if I could change my way of livin'

    It t'would mean so much to me

I been dogged and I been driven

    eve' since I left my mother's home

I been dogged and I been driven

    eve' since I left my mother's home

And I can't see the reason why

    that I can't leave these no-good womens alone

My father died and left me

    my poor mother done the best that she could

My father died and left me

    my poor mother done the best she could

Every man likes that game you call love

    but it don't mean no man no good

Now, I'm the drunken hearted man

    and sin was the cause of it all

    spoken: Oh, play 'em, now

I'm a drunken hearted man

    and sin was the cause of it all

And the day that you get weak for no-good women

    that's the day that you bound to fall

DRUNKEN HEARTED MAN (take 2)

I'm a drunken hearted man

    my life seem so misery

I'm the poor drunken hearted man

    my life seem so misery

And if I could only change my way of livin'

    it t'would mean so much to me

I been dogged and I been driven

    eve' since I left my mother's home

I been dogged and I been driven

    eve' since I left my mother's home

And I can't see the reason why

    that I can't leave these no good womens alone

My poor father died and left me

    and my mother done the best that she could

My poor father died and left me

    and my mother done the best that she could

Every man love that game you call love

    but it don't mean no man no good

I'm the poor drunken hearted man

    and sin was the cause of it all

I'm a poor drunken hearted man

    and sin was the cause of it all

But the day you get weak for no good women

    that's the day that you surely fall

ME AND THE DEVIL BLUES (take 1)

Early this mornin'

    when you knocked upon my door

Early this mornin', ooh

    when you knocked upon my door

And I said, "Hello, Satan,

    I believe it's time to go."

Me and the Devil

    was walkin' side by side

Me and the Devil, ooh

    was walkin' side by side

And I'm goin' to beat my woman

    until I get satisfied

She say you don't see why

    that you will dog me 'round

    spoken: Now, babe, you know you ain't doin' me

    right, don'cha

She say you don't see why, ooh

    that you will dog me 'round

It must-a be that old evil spirit

    so deep down in the ground

You may bury my body

    down by the highway side

    spoken: Baby, I don't care where you bury my

    body when I'm dead and gone

You may bury my body, ooh

    down by the highway side

So my old evil spirit

    can catch a Greyhound bus and ride

ME AND THE DEVIL BLUES (take 2)

Early this mornin'

    when you knocked upon my door

Early this mornin', ooh

    when you knocked upon my door

And I said, "Hello, Satan,

    I believe it's time to go."

Me and the Devil

    was walkin' side by side

Me and the Devil, ooh

    was walkin' side by side

I'm goin' to beat my woman

    until I get satisfied

She say you don't see why

    that I will dog her 'round

    spoken: Now, baby, you know you ain't doin' me

    right, now

She say you don't see why, ooh

    that I will dog her 'round

It must-a be that old evil spirit

    so deep down in the ground

You may bury my body

    down by the highway side

    spoken: Baby, I don't care where you bury my

    body when  I'm dead and gone

You may bury my body, ooh

    down by the highway side

So my old evil spirit

    can get a Greyhound bus and ride

STOP BREAKIN' DOWN BLUES (take 1)

Everytime I'm walkin'

    down the streets

Some pretty mama start breakin'

    down with me

Stop breakin' down

    yes, stop breakin' down

The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

I can't walk the streets, now, con...

    consolate my mind

Some no-good woman she starts

    breakin' down

Stop breakin' down

    please, stop breakin' down

The stuff I got it gon' bust your brains out

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

Now, you Saturday night womens

    you love to ape and clown

You won't do nothin' but tear a good man

    reputation down Stop breakin' down

    please, stop breakin' down

The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

Now, I give my baby, now, the

    ninety-nine degree

She jumped up and throwed a pistol

    down on me Stop breakin' down

    please, stop breakin' down

Stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

I can't start walkin'

    down the streets

But some pretty mama don't start breakin' down with me

Stop breakin' down

    yes, stop breakin' down

The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

N

otes: 1. Among the various definitions of "break down" is "to give way to

emotion" (Webster's).

STOP BREAKIN' DOWN BLUES (take 2)

Now, I can't walk the streets, now

    to consolate my mind

Some pretty mama, she start

    breakin' down

Stop breakin' down

    please, stop breakin' down

Now, the stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

I can't walk the streets, now, to consolate my mind

Some no-good woman, now, she start breakin' down

Stop breakin' down

    please, stop breakin' down

The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

You know the Saturday night women, now

    they love to ape and clown

They won't do nothin' but tear yo'

    reputation down

Stop breakin' down

    please, stop breakin' down

The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

Now  I gave my baby

    that ninety-nine degree

She jumped up and throwed a pistol

    down on me

Stop breakin' down

    please, stop breakin' down

That stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

Now, that fiddle player, now, use

    rosum on his bow

That don't make your fiddle cry, baby, you know it

    don't go

Stop breakin' down

    please, stop breakin' down

The stuff I got'll bust your brains out, baby

    hoo hoo, it'll make you lose your mind

Notes: 1. See notes to "Stop Breakin' Down Blues" (take1).

TRAVELING RIVERSIDE BLUES

If your man get personal

    want you to have your fun

If your man get personal

    want you to have your fun

Just come on back to Friars Point, mama, and

    barrelhouse all night long

I got womens in Vicksburg

    clean on into Tennessee

I got womens in Vicksburg

    clean on into Tennessee

But my Friars Point rider, now

    hops all over me

I ain't gon' to state no color, but her

    front teeth crowned with gold

I ain't gon' to state no color, but her

    front teeth is crowned with gold

She got a mortgage on my body, now, and a

    lien on my soul

Lord, I'm goin' to Rosedale, gon' take my

    rider by my side

Lord, I'm goin' to Rosedale, gon' take my

    rider by my side

We can still barrelhouse, baby, 'cause it's

    on the river side

Now, you can squeeze my lemon 'til the

    juice run down my...

    spoken: Til the juice run down my leg, baby, you

    know what I'm talkin' 'bout.

You can squeeze my lemon 'til the

    juice run down my leg

    spoken: That's what I'm talkin' 'bout, now.

But I'm goin' back to Friars Point, if I be rockin'

    to my head

Notes: 1. Friars Point and Rosedale are both located on Mississippi

Highway I, commonly called the River Road, some 45 miles

apart. Vicksburg, further south, is also on the river, but on U.S.

Highway 61 where it intersects Interstate 20, some 230 miles

from Memphis.

HONEYMOON BLUES

Betty Mae, Betty Mae

    you shall be my wife someday

Betty Mae, Betty Mae

    you shall be my wife someday

I wants a little sweet girl

    that will do anything that I say

Betty Mae, you is my heartstring

    you is my destiny

Betty Mae, you is my heartstring

    you is my destiny

And you rolls dacross my mind

    baby, each and every day

Li'l girl, li'l girl

    my life seem so misery

Hmm hmm-mmm, little girl

    my life seem so misery

Baby, I guess it must be love, now

    hoom-mmm, Lord, that's takin' effect on me

Some day I will return

    with the marriage license in my hand

Some day I will return

    hoo hoo, 'th a marriage license in my hand

I'm 'on' take you for a honeymoon

    in some long, long distant land

LOVE IN VAIN (take 1)

SPOKEN: "I wanna go with our next one myself"



And I followed her to the station

    with a suitcase in my hand

And I followed her to the station

    with a suitcase in my hand

Well, it's hard to tell, it's hard to tell

    when all your love's in vain

All my love's in vain

When the train rolled up to the station

    I looked her in the eye

When the train rolled up to the station

    and I looked her in the eye

Well, I was lonesome, I felt so lonesome

    and I could not help but cry

All my love's in vain

When the train, it left the station

    with two lights on behind

When the train, it left the station

    with two lights on behind

Well, the blue light was my blues

    and the red light was my mind

All my love's in vain

Ou hou ou ou ou

    hoo, Willie Mae

Oh oh oh oh oh hey

    hoo, Willie Mae

Ou ou ou ou ou ou

    hee vee oh woe

All my love's in vain

LOVE IN VAIN (take 4)

And I followed her to the station

    with my suitcase in my hand

And I followed her to the station

    with suitcase in my hand

Well, it's hard to tell, it's hard to tell

    when all your love's in vain

All my love's in vain

When the train rolled up to the station

    and I looked her in the eye

When the train rolled up to the station

    and I looked her in the eye

Well, I felt lonesome, I was lonesome

    and I could not help but cry

All my love's in vain

When the train, it left the station

    with two lights on behind

When the train, it left the station

    with two lights on behind

Well, the blue light was my blues

    and the red light was my mind

All my love's in vain

Eee eee eee eee ooo

    hoo,Willie Mae

Ey ey ey ey ey ey ey

    hoo, Willie Mae

Ey ey ey hey hey hey hey

    hee vee oh woe

All my love's in vain

MILKCOW'S CALF BLUES (take 2)

Tell me, milk cow

    what on Earth is wrong with you?

Te-hell me, milk cow

    what on Earth is wrong with you?

Well, well, you have a new calf, hoo hoo

    and your milk is turnin' blue

Your calf is hungry

    and I believe he needs a suck

    spoken: Now, you know that calf done got hungry

Your calf is hungry

    and I believe he needs a suck

Well, now, but the milk is turnin' blue, hoo hoo

    and I believe he's outta luck

Now I feel like milkin' and my

    cow won't come

I feel like chu'in' it and my

    milk won't turn

I'm cryin' plea-hease

    plea-hease, don't do me wrong

You can give-a right milk and butter, now, baby

    you-hoo, will stay at home

My milk cow been ramblin'

    hoo hoo, for miles around

My milk cow been ramblin'

    hoo hoo, for miles around

She been troublin' some other bull cow, hoo hoo

    Lord, in this man's town

MILKCOW'S CALF BLUES (take 3)

Te-hell me, milk cow

    what on Earth is wrong with you?

Ooo ooo eee, milk cow

    what on Earth is wrong with you?

Now, you have a little calf, hoo hoo

    and your milk is turnin' blue

Now, your calf is hungry

    I believe he needs a suck

Now, your calf is hungry

    hoo hoo, I believe he needs a suck

But your milk is turnin' blue, hoo hoo

    I believe he's outta luck

Now, I feel like milkin' and my

    cow won't come

I feel like chu'in' it and my

    milk won't turn

I'm cryin', plea-ease

    plea-ease, don't do me wrong

If you see my milk cow, baby, now-how

    plea-ease, drive her home

My milk cow been ramblin'

    hoo hee, for miles around

My milk cow been ramblin'

    hoo hoo, for miles around

Well, now, can you suck on some other man's bull cow

    hoo hoo, in this strange man's town?