Death don't have no mercy in this land
Well Death will go in any family in this land
Well Death will go in every family in this land
Well he'll come to your house and he won't stay long
Well you'll look in the bed and one of your family will be gone
Death will go in any family in this land
Well he never takes a vacation in this land
Well old Death never takes a vacation in this land
Well he'll come to your house and he won't stay long
Well you'll look in the bed and your mother will be gone
Death never takes a vacation in this land
Well he'll leave you standin' and cryin' in this land
Well Death will leave you standin' and cryin' in this land
Well he'll come to your house and he won't stay long
You'll look in the bed and somebody will be gone
Death will leave you standin' and cryin' in this land
Old Death always in a hurry in this land
Old Death always in a hurry in this land
Well he'll come to your house and he won't stay long
You'll look in the bed and your mother will be gone
Death always in a hurry in this land
Well he won't give you time to get ready in this land
Well he won't give you time to get ready in this land
Well he'll come to your house and he won't stay long
Well you'll look in the bed and somebody will be gone
Death won't give you time to get ready in this land
Stump Blues [Big Bill Broonzy]
E
Yes, I'm sitting on this old stump babe, got a worried mind
A
E
Yes, I'm sitting on this stump baby, I've got a worried mind
B7
C#7
E
Yeah I'm gonna find my baby, Lord I lose my life for trying
Yeah I shot five dollars, caught a point black nine
Yes, I shot five dollars, even caught a point black nine
Yeah I stopped that six bar baby, and that trey come flying
Yeah, I hear my hamstring a-poppin' and my collar crying
Lord, I hear my hamstring a-poppin' and I hear my collar crying
Now I can not stay a-happy, Lord, when my baby's down the line
Yeah, you never get to do me like you did my buddy Shine
No, you'll never get to do me like you done my buddy Shine
You know you worked him down the levee until he went real stone blind
Could been on a rainy morning
Could been on a rainy night
G
When Stagger Lee and Billy De Lyon
G
D
Had a great big fight
A
Talking about that bad man
A
D
Cruel old Stagger Lee
"Stagger Lee" said Billy
"Man you know I can't go with that
I done won all your money
And your great big Stetson hat"
Talking 'bout the bad man
Cruel Old Stagger Lee
"Stagger Lee" said Billy
"Man don't take my life
I got two lovely children
I got a very loving wife
Talking 'bout the bad man
Cruel Old Stagger Lee
Stagger Lee shot Billy
He shot that boy so bad
The bullet went through Billy
Broke the bar tender's looking glass
Talking 'bout the bad man
Cruel Old Stagger Lee
If you ever down in Louisiana
Go in to the Lions Club
Every foot you be steppin' in
Billy did lie in blood
Talking 'bout the bad man, bad man
Cruel Old Stagger Lee
It could have been on a rainy morning
It could have been on a rainy night
Stagger Lee and Billy De Lyon
Had a great big fight
Talking 'bout the bad man
Cruel Old Stagger Lee
Whiskey Headed Woman [Tommy McClennan]
G
She's a whiskey headed woman
And she stays drunk all the time, yeah!
C
She's a whiskey headed woman
G
And she stay drunk all the time, yeah!
D
Baby, and if you don't stop drinking
C
G
I believe gonna lose your mind
G
Now, every time I see you, babe
You at some whiskey joint
Standin' around Mr Crowley
Beggin' for one more half-a-pint
C
'Cause you's a whiskey headed woman
G
An' ya stay drunk all the time
D
Babe now, if you don't stop drinkin', little woman
C
G
I believe gonna lose your mind, yeah
Now, didn't I told you, baby
When you fell down 'cross your bed?
You is drinkin' that moonshine whiskey
An' talkin' all out your head
'Cause you a whiskey headed woman
An' ya stay drunk all the time
Baby, now if you don't stop drinkin'
I believe gonna lose your mind, yeah!
Now, look a-here, baby
I don't wanna tell you no more
You can get all my lovin'
If you just let him go
'Cause you's a whiskey headed woman
An' ya stay drunk all the time, yeah-hey
Now, if you don't stop drinkin', baby
I believe gonna lose your mind
Now, when you start a-drink
Make me a pallet on your floor
'Cause if you keep on drinkin'
I ain't come to your house no more
'Cause you a whiskey headed woman
Baby, ya stay drunk all the time, yeah-hey!
Now, if you don't stop drinkin', little woman
I believe ya gonna lose your mind, yeah!
Now you a whiskey headed woman
An' you stay drunk all the time
"Play it man, play it long as your satisfied!"
Now, you a whiskey headed woman, babe
An' you stay drunk all the time
An' it's a-sure if you don't stop drinkin'
I swear you're gonna lose your mind
Well he heard a voice calling, and he knew he could not stay
Well he called me to his bedside, and the clock was strikin' four
Yeah he called me to his bedside, and the clock was strikin' four
Brownie take my guitar, carry my business on, Blind Boy won't be here no more
Blind Boy had a million friends, east, north, south and west
Blind Boy had a million friends, east, north, south and west
Well you know that it's hard to tell, which place he was loved the best
Moan...
Blind Boy was my best friend
Now I declare he's gone
Well I heard he had a million women friends, how I wonder how they want their lovin' done
Blind Boy had a million women friends, wonder how they want their lovin' done
Well just tell it to Brownie now, I'm tryin' to carry Blind Boy's business on
I'm feelin' so blue now, Lord I don't know what to do
Well I'm feelin' so blue now, and I don't know what to do
Well I know you friends from miles around, feel just like I do
Saturday Blues [Ishmon Bracey]
E
Now you tell me mama, do you think that's right?
You're with your kid all day and run to me at night
A
E
With your kid all day and run to me at night
B7
C#7
With your kid all day and run to me at night
Now my regular woman totes my pocket change
And my sometime woman wants to do the same and you
Better not let my regular catch you here
Don't never let my regular catch you here
'Cause it's ain't no tellin' what she might do
Now, an' she might cut you and she might shoot you, too
Now, an' she might cut you, she might shoot you, too
Lord, she might cut you, she might shoot you, too
Now, she's the meanest woman that I've ever seen
And when I ask for water, gave me gasoline
Now, I asked her for water, gave me gasoline
Lord, an' asked for water, gave me gasoline
Now, if you want your woman to look like the rest
You buy her high brown powder Palmer's Skin Success
You buy her high brown powder Palmer's Skin Success
Buy her high brown powder Palmer's Skin Success
Now, I've got four, five puppies an' got one shaggy hound
It takes all them dogs to run my women down
It takes all them dogs to run my women down
Sex for them dogs to run my women down
Now, just four, five puppies an' got one shaggy hound
It takes all them dogs to run my women down
It takes all them dogs to Run my women down
Takes all a-them dogs to run my women down
Last Kind Words Blues [Geeshie Wiley with LV Thomas]
Am
E
The last kind words I heard my daddy say
E
B7
E
B7
E
Lord, the last kind words I heard my daddy say
If I die, if I die in the German war
I want you to send my body, send it to my mother, Lord
If I get killed, if I get killed, please don't bury my soul
I prefer just leave me out, let the buzzards eat me whole
When you see me comin' look 'cross the rich man's field
If I don't bring you flour I'll bring you bolted meal
Instrumental
I went to the depot, I looked up at the stars
Cried, some train don't come, there'll be some walkin' done
My mama told me, just before she died
Lord, precious daughter, don't you be so wild
The Mississippi river, you know it's deep and wide
I can stand right here, see my babe from the other side
What you do to me baby it never gets outta me
I may not see you after I cross the deep blue sea
Country Woman [Will Batts]
I'm got two women in the country, I'm got two women stays in town (Yeah, boy!)
I'm got two women in the country, I'm got two women stays in town
Reason I can visit so careful 'cause ne'er one don't dog me around
Say, you may be brownskin woman, great God, your hair long as my arm (All right, sing it, boy)
Say, you may be brownskin woman, great God, your hair long as my arm (Yeah!)
Can't do the bed spring polka, you sure done lost your home
(Well, play it, boy!)
Now the short-haired woman waitin' for to carry your troubles on
Make you think through the daytime, trouble you all night long (Why?)
She make you think you right, when you know darn well you wrong (Yeah, boy!)
I don't want no jealous hearted women, great God, makin' up my bed
I don't want no jealous hearted women, (No! Great God, makin' up my bed)
Man, she put something in your mattress, made you wish you was dead
Cocaine Blues [Luke Jordan]
Oh come on gal, don't you take me for no fool
I'm not going to quit you pretty mama while the weather's cool
Around your back door says honey I'm going to creep
As long as you make your two and a half a week
Now I got a girl, she works in the white folk's yard
She brings me meal, I can swear she brings some lard
She brings me meat, she brings me lard
She brings everything I swear that she can steal
Now Barnum Bailey Circus came to town
They had a dancer looking good and brown
They didn't know it was against the law
But the monkey stopped at a Fine drugstore
Stepped around the corner just a minute too late
Another one sitting there at the big back gate
I'm simply wild about my good cocaine
I called my Cora, hey hey
She come on sniffing with her nose all sore
The doctor's gone going to sell no more
Say run doctor, ring the bell
The women in the alley
I'm simply wild about my good cocaine
Now the furniture man came to my house it was last Sunday morn
He asked me was my wife at home and I told she has long been gone
He backed his wagon up to my door, took everything I had
He carried it back to the furniture store and I swear I did feel sad
What in the world has anyone got dealing with the furniture man?
If you've got no dough, to stand up for sure, he certainly will drag you back
He will take everything from an earthly plant, from the skillet to a frying pan
If there ever was a devil born without any horns, it must have been the furniture man
I called my Cora, hey hey
She come on sniffing with her nose all sore
Doctor swore gonna smell no more
Saying coke's for horses not women or men
The doctors say it'll kill you, but they didn't say when
I'm simply wild about my good cocaine
Now the baby's in the cradle in New Orleans
It kept a-whipping till it got so mean
It kept a-whipping had to fix it so
The joke with laughter, fell on more
Saying, run doctor, ring the bell
The women in the alley
I'm simply wild about my good cocaine
I called my Cora, hey hey
She come on sniffing with her nose all sore
The doctor swore she's gonna smell no more
Saying, run doctor, ring the bell
The women in the alley
I'm simply wild about my good cocaine
Fast 12-bar blues, which is fast and very difficult to execute perfectly.
The thumb moves on and off the beat to create that unique sound to the main riff.
E
I don't want no woman, no woman mess up my mind (no I don't)
A
E
Ain't gonna let no woman, no woman mess up my mind
B
A
E
I don't want no woman (hooo) to mess up my mind
You can love me or leave me, any one you want to do (yes you can)
You can love me or leave me, any one you want to do
If as long as my heart is satisfied, woman I know I been good to you
You can go alone, go it all on your own
You can go alone, woman go ahead on your own
Say now know that I love you, sometimes you make me leave my home
(that's why I say this)
I ain't gonna let no woman, no woman mess up my mind
I ain't gonna let no woman, no woman mess up my mind
I ain't gonna let no woman, (ow!) no woman mess up my mind
(I'd be a fool to)
(Ooh)
(Lord)
(Don't go)
'Cause she's foolin' around with too many men
Yes bring me my shotgun
Yes man and a pocket full of shells
Yes go bring me my shotgun
Yes man and a pocket full of shells
Yeah you know I'm gonna kill that woman
I'm gonna throw her in that old deep dug well
Hide her from everybody they won't know where she at
That woman said Lightnin' you can't shoot me
She said now you is dead of tryin'
I don't take a day off for nobody
She said Lightnin' you can't shoot me
She said yes and you dare to try
I said the only reason I don't shoot you little woman
My double barrel shotgun, it just won't fire
And I'm tellin' you all the truth. Whoa, take it from me
I done seen better days, but I'm puttin' up with these
I done seen better days, but I'm puttin' up with these
I could have much a better time with these girls, now I'm so hard to please
'Cause I was born in the country, she thinks I'm easy to rule
'Cause I was born in the country, she thinks I'm easy to rule
She try to hitch me to a wagon, she wanna drive me like a mule
You know, I bought her the groceries and I pay the rent
Yeah, I buy her the groceries and I paid the rent
She try to make me to wash her clothes, but I got good common sense
I said, if you don't want me, why don't you tell me so?
You know, if you don't want me, why don't you tell me so?
'Cause it ain't like I'm a man that ain't got nowhere to go
I been give you sugar for sugar, let you get salt for salt
I give you sugar for sugar, let you get salt for salt
And if you can't get 'long with me, we'll it's your own fault
How you want me to love you, and treat me mean?
How do you want me to love you, you keep on treatin' me mean?
You're my daily thought and my nightly dream
Sometime I think that you're too sweet to die
Sometime I think that you're too sweet to die
And another time I think you ought to be buried alive
Me And My Telephone [Maxwell Street Jimmy Davis]
You know I'm sitting down here all alone
Just me and my telephone
Yeah an' I ain't got no one to talk with
Just me and my telephone
You know I'm just sitting here wondering baby
I ain't got no one to even, ah, call my own
Yeah I'm sitting in this old big room all alone darling
I'm listening to my little old, old radio
You know the blues have got me
Blues just about to carry me down
Yeah I'm sitting here wondering baby
Would a match box ever hold my clothes?
Yeah you know babe I ain't going nowhere darling
Baby I ain't first go further on up down the road
Ain't it lonesome in your bedroom
Baby you sit in your own room alone
Yeah ain't it lonesome in your bedroom
While we in your own room alone
Yeah you know you ain't got no one to talk to darling
Just you and your telephone
You know its sad and it's lonesome
When you have a care ain't got no one to call your own
You know it's sad and it lonesome
You ain't got no one to even call your own
You know you just gonna keep wondering man
You been driven down from door to door
You know I feel like this morning
Babe I can't even, ah, go to sleep
You know I feel like this morning baby
Babe I can't even, ah, go to sleep
Yeah you know I love you so bad baby
You broke my poor heart in two
Yes, yes... in this room alone
You know I used to love my baby
But I seen that my baby sure do hate me now
I said my baby used to love me
Seems like my baby sure do hate me know
You know this room has got so lonesome
I believe I got to move on down the line
I say you don't want me baby
Why don't you tell me so
I won't either a little girl of my own
I won't either hang around her door
You know I come home this morning
Trying to do this thing right
Little baby you didn't want me there
Stay at home all the time
But I tell you woman
Ain't it lonely when you in your room alone
Ain't it so bad now now man
You ain't got no one just to call your own
Gal I love with somebody's else
I got the hard road blues walking on down the line
I got the hard road blues walking on down the line
Maybe some day my gal must change her mind
It's a hard hard road when your baby done throwed you down
It's a hard hard road when your baby done throwed you down
Going to keep on walking from town to town
It's been a long long time since I seen my baby's face
It's been a long long time since I seen my baby's face
And I don't see her joker stand to my place
I'm going to find my baby don't say she can't be found
I'm going to find my baby don't say she can't be found
Going to walk this hard hard road until my moustache drags the ground
Dupree Blues [Baby Tate]
G
C
G7
Betty told Dupree she wanted a diamond ring
C
G
Betty told Dupree she wanted a diamond ring
D7
A7
C7
G
Dupree told Betty "your daddy buy you most any old thing"
Then he shot a policeman, and then a detective too
Well he shot a policeman, and then a detective too
"Well you see now Betty, honey what you caused poor me to do"
I'm standing here wondering will a matchbox hold my clothes
Yeah I'm standing here wondering will a matchbox hold my clothes
Babe I ain't got so many, but I've got so far to go
Lord I'm going to hire me a taxi "Can you drive me back to Main?"
Yes I'm a-hire me a taxi "Can you drive me back to Main?"
Baby you know I did a hanging crime, and I don't never be ashamed
They catch poor Dupree, locked him in that county jail
Yeah they catch poor Dupree, locked him in that county jail
Dupree call on Betty "honey please come and go my bail"
But you know now Betty wrote a letter, and this is the way the letter read
Yeah Betty wrote a letter, and this the way the letter read
She said "Come home pretty pappa, you know your mamma's almost dead"
He said "Go on little girl, honey go on and have your fun"
He said "Go on little girl, go on and have your fun"
"Cause I done had mine, honey, before you was even born"
Goin' Where The Monon Crosses The Yellow Dog [Scrapper Blackwell]
E
B7
E
Girl, I'm goin' where the Monon crosses the Yellow Dog
A7
E
Lord, I'm goin' where the Monon crosses the Yellow Dog
B7
A7
E
B7
Lord, they treat me like a possum, I would be out in the log
Lord, you be good to me, and I'll sure be good to you
Lord, be good to me, and I'll sure be good to you
Girl, that's the kind of way, I caused you want to do
I laid last night a-sleepin', Lord, a-thinkin' to myself
I laid last night a-thinkin', oh my God, a-thinkin' to myself
Lord, if you wanted someone, I guess you wanted someone else
Solo
(Oh, I know what's the matter now)
What's the matter with you, child? You cryin' every day
What's the matter with you, child? You cryin' every day
Lord, that's all right, I'll hold your head wherever you lay
I cooked your breakfast, I brought it to your little bed
Lord, I cooked your breakfast, Lord, I brought it to your bed
I was a man enough to hold your little old achin' head
Arrangement For Me Blues [Bo Carter]
G
Baby I'll split your kindling, you know I'll build your fire
I will pack your water from the boggy bar
C
G
Hey now tell me sweet baby who may your manager be
D
C
G
Before many more questions won't you please make arrangements for me
Your hair so doggone curly and your eyes ain't blue
That's why sweet baby I'm making a fool about you
Says I ain't good'looking baby I don't dress fine
When you come to loving I'll pacify your mind
Here's another little thing baby want you to bear in mind
When I get my pay cheque I give you my last dime
I wished I was like a little fish in the deep blue sea
So a woman like you could take a little fish at me
'Cause walkin' is most too slow
I'm goin' down on the border
Now where I'm better known
'Cause woman you don't do nothin'
But drive a good man 'way from home
Now when the moon creeps over the mountain
I'll be on my way
Now I'm gonna walk this old highway
Until the break of day
Come here, sweet mama
Now and help me with this heavy load
I am due in West Texas
And I've got to get on the road
I'm goin' to West Texas
I'm goin' down behind the sun
I'm gonna ask the good Lord
What evil have I done?
Night-time is the right time, be with the one you love
When you're out late at night, baby I can't rest
Even the food I eat honey, baby it won't digest
Night-time is the right time, be with the one you love
First solo
Grab my hat this morning, she followed me to the door
She said "Come back Daddy, you don't have to go"
Night-time is the right time, be with the one you love, the one you love
Cried last night, cried the whole night long
Cried last night, I cried the whole night long
I didn't miss my loved one, until she had gone
Second Solo
Yeah you ain't goin' miss your water, till your well go dry
Ain't gonna miss your loved one, until she say goodbye
Night-time is the right time, be with the one you love, the one you love
Third Solo
Don't the moon look pretty, shining down through the trees?
I can see my woman, but she don't see me
Night-time is the right time, be with the one you love, with the one you love
My body is freezin', I feel something cold creepin' around
My windows is rattlin', my doorknob turnin' round an' round
My windows is rattlin', my doorknob turnin' round an' round
This haunted house blues is killin' me, I feel myself sinkin' down
I been fastin' in this haunted house, six long months today
I been fastin' in this haunted house, six long months today
The Blue Ghost is got the house surrounded, Lord, and I can't get away
They got shotguns and pistols, standin' all round my door
They got shotguns and pistols, standin' all round my door
They haunt me all night long, so I can't sleep no more
The Blue Ghost haunts me all night, the nightmare rides me all night long
The Blue Ghost haunts me at night, the nightmare rides me all night long
They worry me so in this haunted house, I wished I was dead and gone
Fishin' Blues [Taj Mahal]
D
A
D
Betcha goin' fishin' all of the time, baby goin' fishing too
D
E
A
D
Bet your life, your sweet wife, catch more fish than you
D
D7
Many fish bites if you got good bait
G
D
Here's a little tip I would like to relate
D
Many fish bite if you got good bait
D
G
D
G
I'm a-goin' fishin', Yes, I'm goin' fishin'
D
A
D
And my baby's goin' fishin' too
I went on down to my favourite fishin' hole, baby, grabbed me a pole and line
Throw my pole on in, caught a nine pound catfish, now you know I brought him on home for supper time
Proving any fish bites if you got good bait
Here's a little tip I would like to relate
Many fish bites if you got a good bait
I'm a-goin' fishin', Yes, I'm goin' fishin'
And my baby's goin' fishin' too
Baby brother 'bout to run me outta my mind say can I go fishin' with you?
I took him on down to the fishin' hole now what do you think that he did do?
Pulled a great big fish outta the bottom of the pond
And he laughed and jumped 'cause he was real gone
Many fish bites if you got good bait
I'm a-goin' fishin', Yes, I'm goin' fishin'
And my baby's goin' fishin' too
Put 'em in the pot baby, put 'em in the pan honey, cook 'em till they're nice and brown
Make a batch of buttermilk cold cakes mama, and you chew them things and you chomp 'em on down
Singing any fish bites if you got good bait
Here's a little tip I would like to relate
Many fish bites if you got a good bait
I'm a-goin' fishin', Yes, I'm goin' fishin'
And my baby's goin' fishin' too
"Play the blues!"
Betcha goin' fishin' all of your time, baby goin' fishing too
Bet your life, your sweet wife, she'd gonna catch more fish than you
Many fish bites if ya got good bait
Here's a little tip I would like to relate
Many fish bites if ya got a good bait
I'm a-goin' fishin', Mama's goin' fishin'
And the baby's goin' fishin' too
Happy Blues [Tom Dickson]
D
Just as happy, mama as I can be
G7
D
I'm just as happy, mama as I can be
A7
G7
D
'Cause the woman I love has gone back to Kankokee
Solo
Woman I'm loving done mistreated me
And the woman I'm loving done mistreated me
Well I love you mama but I need your friend again
Treat me like someone you never seen
Well, you treat me like someone you never seen
Well, you treat me like someone you never seen
Blues ain't nothing good man on your mind
Woman the blues ain't nothing but a good man on your mind
Well it'll keep you worried bothered all the time
When you see me with my head hung down
Well, that's when you see me with my head hung down
I ain't got no blues but another girl on my mind
I'm going away see what you would do
I'm going away see what you would do
I've done all I could can't get along with you
I went to the station I looked upon the board
I went to the station I looked upon the board
Well my train ain't there but it's somewhere on the road
Sundown Blues [Alec Johnson with Kansas Joe McCoy]
G
I hate to see the evening sun go down
G
That's the time my baby left this town
G
C
G
I get the blues when the evening sun goes down
She was the meanest gal for miles around
Made me love her then she called me down
I feel so sad when the evening sun goes down
Mmm
Now everybody's scorned me, with a frown
Since my baby left me broke in town
I sigh and cry when the evening sun goes down
My friends are scarce and they can not be found
'Cause my gal she quit and left this town
Oh, how I grieve when the evening sun goes down
Straight for the mad house I'm surely bound
Thinkin' 'bout the gal who left this town
How I despair when the evening sun goes down
Mmm
When shadows spread that dreary hue around
From afar I hear a doleful sound
My soul just weeps when the evening sun goes down
Creepin' Blues [Alec Seward]
B7/f#
E
B7/f#
Mmm Lord, feel something cold creepin' round my bed
B7/f#
E
B7/f#
E
B7/f#
I cry "Oh Lord", feel something cold creepin' round my bed
B/f#
E
B7/f#
You know it worry me so bad darling, till I'm talking all out of my head
It start creep at midnight, then it creepin' all day long
Yeah, creep at midnight darling, and it creep all day long
That's why you hear me singing, Lord, this lonesome song
Lord, Lord, Lord, this creepin' sure is worryin' me
Yeah Lord, Lord, Lord, this creepin' sure is worryin' me
Well if it don't stop creepin', Lord, what's going to happen to poor me
Solo
Lord, Lord, Lord, what can a poor man do?
Lord, Lord, Lord, what can a poor man do?
I'm in so much trouble, won't you please tell me what to do?
I'll Fly Away [Pink Anderson]
D
D7
Some glad morning when this worrying life is over
G
D
I will fly away
D
D7
D
Now, when I die, Hallelujah by and by
G
D
I will fly away
D
D7
Let me tell you I will fly away
G
D
Yes I will fly away
D
D7
D
When I die Hallelujah by and by
G
D
G7
I will fly away
Just a few more worried days and then
I will fly away
Onto a happy world where joy will never end
Let me tell you I will fly away
Oh yes I will fly away
When I die Hallelujah by and by
I will fly away
Just remember I will fly away
Oh yes I will fly away
Oh when I die Hallelujah by and by
I will fly away
Some glad morning when this worrying life is over
I will fly away
Like a bird when those prison bars is broken
I will fly away
Everybody now I will fly away
Oh yes I will fly away
When I die Hallelujah by and by
I will fly away
Runaway Man Blues [Floyd Coucil]
E
A7
B7
E
When I left my home I left my baby crying
A
When I left my home I left my baby crying
E
B7
Saying daddy you gonna leave me
C#7
B7
E
And it sure do grieve my mind
My mama's in the kitchen, sister's in the door
Yeah, sister's in the door
But my baby's in the backyard
Crying daddy don't go
Don't you worry about me mama
Don't count the days I'm gone
Don't you worry about me mama
Don't count the days I'm gone
'Cause you got to remember
Someday your daddy will be back home
All right boy!
Solo
I'm gonna get me a razor
Knife and a blue steel gun
I'm gonna get me a razor
Knife and a blue steel gun
So I can cut you if you stand
Shoot you if you run
Lonesome Road Blues [Sam Collins]
E
D
F
F6
I'm walking down that lonesome lane
C
G
C
Hung down my head and cried
I weeped and I cried under a willow tree
And my fate's the deep blue sea
My mama's dead, papa can't be found
And my brother's on the county road
Says I done been to that long plank walk
And I'm on my way back home
You did cause me to weep you did cause me to moan
You did cause me to leave my home
I cried last night and the night before
And I swore not to cry no more
You did cause me to weep you did cause me to moan
You did cause me to leave my home
I got no money and they call me no honey
I have to weep and moan
In eighteen hundred in that ninety nine
He got killed on that streetcar line
They took him down that smoky road
Brought him back on that coolin' board
Solo
Says I been down to that water's edge
That's far as I care to go
Then run here mama and fall in your daddy's breast
These blues gonna let me rest
Your fast mail train comin' round the curve
It done killed my little brownie dead
Her head was ground in that driver wheel
And her body it have never been seen
Frank Stokes' Dream [Frank Stokes]
8 bar
E
B7
A7
And I'm goin', I'm goin', and your cryin' won't make me stay
E
B7
E
'Cause the more you cry, gal, the further you drive me 'way
When I leave your house, pin the black crepe on your door
Tell your man ain't dead, he ain't comin' back here no more
Ever dream that you're lucky and wake up cold in hand?
I wouldn't have my last dollar to give your house rent man
12 bar
E
Take me in your arms, rock me good and slow
A7
E
Take me in your arms, rock me good and slow
B7
C#7
E
So you can hear them Frank Stokes blues anywhere on earth you go
Solo
Ah, it's so easy to be easy when you are easy!
And I'm leavin' you, mama, this is the last time I'm ever gon' go
And I'm leavin' you, the last time I'll ever go
When the Frank Stokes blues come around I've got a place to go
The key feature of the song is Mance's lyrical melodies over his "dead thumb"
style of playing bass -- the thumb hits a muted string on the beat every beat.
The song is somewhat unusual for blues in that it only changes chords on 2 of
the 40 beats in the progression. Mance starts in G (and makes a G7 with the
melody), then uses a quick one beat B bass note on the last beat of bar 5 to go
into a C chord for half a bar in bar 6.
To play this song, play the G chord using your ring finger on the
low E 3rd string, the little finger on the high E 3rd fret. You want the index
finger free to play the melody notes on the 1st fret when they come around
without losing the death bassline. Your pinky needs to play a few of the melody
notes, including some small bends -- if it's been a bit neglected this
song will bring it up to speed pretty quickly. I usually anchor my middle
finger on the A string 2nd fret, but it's only really necessary for one beat
(though it does sound like Mance hits it a few times when his thumb hits that
low G note).
The melodies are all built around the G minor pentatonic scale, he uses just 7
different notes for the entire song, but he uses them very well. The melody
follows the voice, so there is a bit of variation in the repetitions of the
progression, but the general theme is really similar each go around. It pays to
sing while playing to get the emotional impact of the melody lines on point.
G
G7
Well, I want to do something for you
G
Well, I wanna do something for you
G
C
G
I'll do anything in the world I can
G
I want to do something for you, if I can
I'll buy you a house and home
I'll buy you a house and home
Yes I'll buy you a house and home
Want to do something for you, if I can
I don't want no house and home
I don't want no house and home
I don't want nothing in the world you got
You can't do nothing for me, you understand?
I'll buy you a strip of land
I'll buy you a strip of land
Yes, I'll buy you a strip of land
I want to do something for you, if I can
I don't want a strip of land
I don't want no strip of land
Don't want nothing in the world you got
Man, you can't do nothing for me, understand?
Buy you a diamond ring
Buy you a diamond ring
Yes I'll buy a diamond ring
I want to do something for you, if I can
I don't want no diamond ring
I don't want no diamond ring
Don't want nothing in the world you got
You can't do nothing for me, understand?
I'll buy you a Chevrolet
I'll buy you a Chevrolet
Yes I'll buy you a Chevrolet
Want to do something for you, if I can
I don't want no Chevrolet
I don't want no Chevrolet
Don't want nothing in the world you got
You can't do nothing for me, understand?
I'll buy you a sedan Ford
I'll buy you a sedan Ford
Yes, I'll buy you a sedan Ford
Want to do something for you, if I can
Yes, I'll take a sedan Ford
Yes, I'll take a Sedan Ford
Thought I didn't want nothing in the world you had
But I will take a sedan Ford
Someday Baby [Buddy Moss]
E
A
E
Babe, I used to have money, but now I ain't got none
A
E
Babe, I used to have money, but now I ain't got none
B7
E
Still, I'm confidential, someday I'll have some
Solo
My money comes, and it ain't gonna be no year
I know the mens that be owning this stuff will sure be here
Now, be easy on me, woman, I ain't got a lousy dime
Be easy on me, woman, I ain't got a lousy dime
You've got yours now, someday I'll have mine
Solo
Mmm, please, baby, listen to what I got to say
Please hear me, baby, listen to what I got to say
I'm down now, woman, I'm gonna rise someday
Slippin' 'Til My Gal Comes In, Partner [Reverend Gary Davis]
E
A
E
Babe, I used to have money, but now I ain't got none
A
E
Babe, I used to have money, but now I ain't got none
B7
E
Still, I'm confidential, someday I'll have some
Solo
My money comes, and it ain't gonna be no year
I know the mens that be owning this stuff will sure be here
Now, be easy on me, woman, I ain't got a lousy dime
Be easy on me, woman, I ain't got a lousy dime
You've got yours now, someday I'll have mine
Solo
Mmm, please, baby, listen to what I got to say
Please hear me, baby, listen to what I got to say
I'm down now, woman, I'm gonna rise someday
Slidin' Delta [Doc Watson]
One aspect of Doc's technique that is very difficult at this speed is his
ability to hit a note on the "and" beat, then hammeron (or pull off) to
the next note in perfect timing with his thumb hitting the bass note. He has
such control that the non-picked note has the same volume as the picked note
and can be clearly heard over the bass. Sounds easy, but try to do it at speed,
and you'll see how good Doc was!
E
B
A
Sliding Delta she run right by my door
E
B7
E
Going to leave here honey, don't you want to go?
Easy Rider, see what you have done
Oh, you make me love you now you on the run
No no baby, things ain't quite that way
Oh, trouble's found me and honey I can't stay
Sliding Delta she run right by my door
Going to leave here honey, don't you want to go?
Daddy sweet daddy, you got ramblin' on your mind
And you just want to go and leave me here behind
I picked up my suitcase, and then my baby cried
Sweet sweet Daddy, I gotta go by your side
Sliding Delta she run right by my door
Going to leave here honey, don't you want to go?
Oh Sliding Delta she run right by my door
Going to leave here honey, come on baby let's go
Showers Of Rain Blues [Edward Thompson]
G
C
G
Don't mistreat me, mama, because I'm young and wild
C
G
Don't mistreat me, mama, because I'm young and wild
D7
C7
G
Say, you must remember, you once have been a child
Mama, don't ever drive a stranger from your door
Mama, don't ever drive a stranger from your door
He may be your best friend, baby, you don't know
Solo
Now, I love my brownie, don't care what she do
I love my brownie, don't care what she do
Some one of these days, she gonna love me, too
Solo
I went to the station in a shower of rain
I went to the station in a shower of rain
I seen the brown I love when she caught the northbound train
Going up on the mountain, look down in the sea
Going up on the mountain, look down in the sea
Must be the whales and fishes doing the shivaree
Not a dollar, not a nickel, not a penny to my name
I'm the king of tap city and I'm out of the game
G
A nickel up, a nickel down, another nickel gone
D
Ain't got a nickel just to carry me on
A
G
When I'm back on my feet
D
I'll move from Saturday Alley up to Sunday Street
Gonna get a pair of dice that give me sevens all the time
I'm gonna be living on chicken and wine
Caviar, Four Star, Johnny Walker Black
Six pretty women in my gold Cadillac
Move where the living is sweet
From Saturday Alley up to Sunday Street
Well my hands are shaking and I ain't feeling well
From drinking King Kong liquor and cheap muscatel
But a little taste of bourbon and breakfast in bed
And six million dollars would raise the dead
Just me and the other elite
Raising high class hell on Sunday Street
Everybody says I'm talking out of my head
But nobody bad mouths the man with the bread
All the whores are gonna drop their drawers and say
"There goes the man who mugged Santa Claus"
It pays to be discreet
When you're talking to the King of Sunday Street
Not a dollar, not a nickel, not a penny to my name
I'm the king of tap city and I'm out of the game
A nickel up, a nickel down, another nickel gone
Ain't got a nickel just to carry me on
When I'm back on my feet
I'll move from Saturday Alley up to Sunday Street
There are a lot of rakes in the solos -- heavily muting 3 or 4 strings and
raking the pick down them to hit a high note. This is easier to do with a pick,
but generally with your fingers you want to use the side of the palm of your
picking hand to mute the strings, then starting with the thumb kind of "roll"
your hand off and time it so that you lift your palm off exactly as the ring
finger hits the higher string. It's difficult to execute, but it's worth some
time experimenting with it, because it adds a great emphasis and flourish to a
note you want to highlight.
E
A
E
I got ramblin', I got ramblin' on my mind
A
E
I got ramblin', I got ramblin' on my mind
B7
A
E
I hate to leave my baby, but she treats me so unkind
I'm going down to the station, catch that first mail-train I see
I'm going down to the station, catch that first mail-train I see
I got the blues about Miss So-and-So, Son got the blues about me
I got mean things, I got mean things on my mind
Little girl little girl, I got mean things on my mind
I hate to leave my baby but she treats me so unkind
Hollandale Blues [Sam Chatmon]
G
I got to see my baby, yeah I know that woman want to see me (oh yes she do boy!)
C7
G
I got the blues to see my woman, I know she want to see me
D7
C7
G
And it ain't gonna be many more days, my woman I'm bound to see
Well I know that woman, sure gonna jump and shout
Yeah, I know my woman, sure gonna jump and shout
When that Greyhound bus roll up to Hollandale Mississippi, oh, and Sam comes stepping out
I got a letter for my woman, listen boys how it began to read
I got a letter for my woman, oh, listen boys how it began to read
She says come on home Sam, I want to drop my loving in overdrive speed
I said baby don't sell it, please don't get away
I said baby don't sell it, please don't get away
You just put it on ice and freeze it, woman, oh I'll be on my waking up some day
(Oh yes I will boy!)
Solo
You know I got the blues
I's belong to my baby go along now
I got the blues to see my baby, I said don't turn your love for me so strong
I got the blues to see that woman, but I don't want to turn her love on Sam so strong
'Cause you love is just like a faucet baby, oh, you can turn it off and turn it on
Sweeter than a honey bee, yeah, baby been sweet on me
Sweeter than a honey bee, yeah, my queen bee
C7
G
Oh she rock to my soul, ooh love me to my soul
Oh she rock me to my soul, oh she rock me to my soul
G
G6
G
G6
She's a strutter, she can shake it some yeah, watch her now look at her run
Strut now, shake it some, oh dancing having fun
Ooh she rock me to my soul, oh she love me to my soul
Ooh rock me to my soul, oh rock me to my soul
Honey in the honey pot oh, and the pot, the pot is hot
Honey in the honey pot, oh and the pot is what you got
To love to rock me to my soul, oh love me to my soul
Ooh rock me to my soul, oh rock me to my soul
Baby won't you come by me yeah, spare me this misery
Sugar won't you come by me, oh I know you'll agree, 'gree, 'gree, 'gree
Rock me to my soul, oh to rock me to my soul
Ooh rock me to my soul, oh rock me to my soul
Sweeter than a honey bee oh, baby been sweet on me
Sweeter than a honey bee oh, my queen bee
Ooh she rock me to my soul, oh rock me to my soul
Ooh rock me to my soul, oh rock me to my soul
These songs were made for lovers
Lovers and lovers and lovers and lovers and lovers
And lovers and lovers and lovers and lovers and lovers
And lovers and lovers and lovers
My soul, my soul
Queen bee
Queen
Mama's Quittin' And Leavin' [Funny Papa Smith]
Bb
I feel bluer this morning then I ever felt before
Eb
Bb
I feel bluer this morning then I ever felt before
F
Eb
Bb
I'm changin' friends and men and I won't be blue no more
Talkin' 'bout changin' men, (mama). you been singin' that stuff all over town
Talkin' 'bout changin' men, (mama). you been singin' that stuff all over town
But I'm liable to take my '45 mama, and turn you upside down
I know you 'buked and dogged me baby with your '45
I know you 'buked and dogged me baby with your '45
And I couldn't do nothin' but wring my hands and cry
When I talk to you God above know I don't mean no harm
When I talk to you mama God above know I don't mean no harm
But It's just because I love you and I'm tryin' to teach you right from wrong
Though you try to be mean baby and use me as a child
Though you try to be mean baby and use me as a child
But it's goin' to hurt you to your heart when I leave you for a while
Mama ain't no need to leavin' me, your gonna be mistreated by someone else
Ain't no need to leavin' me, your gonna be mistreated by someone else
And rather than to see someone else mistreat you, I'd rather keep you and mistreat you myself
The main riff in the G sections are played, as noted, with the thumb over the
top and with your index finger barring the high E and B strings. It starts with
a slide with the ring finger from the first to the third (though sometimes it's
from the 2nd) on the B string, then make the mini barre with your index to get
that F note on the high E. He plays deliberately dirty, hitting two strings
often and lightly touching a second string nearly all the time. Again that's
his natural style coming out, once you get the song down the flow of it will
take over and you'll be getting similar sounds.
The C section has a great sound, he drops into the C blues scale over the
chord, another way the song is unusual compared to a lot of delta tunes. That
little 1st to 2nd slide on the B string seems really odd -- you think it should
be 1st to 3rd, Brown's slightly delayed slide really makes it sound wonderful.
Again it's that natural style coming out. Once you've got the timing and chords
down, really concentrate on putting life and momentum into those melody notes.
G
C
G
Lord, I'm broke and I'm hungry, ragged and dirty too
C
G
Broke and hungry, ragged and I'm dirty too
D
C
G
If I clean up, sweet mama, can I stay all night with you?
Lord, I went to my window, baby, I couldn't see through my blind
Went to my window, couldn't see through my blind
Heard my bed springs uncovered, I throwed down, heard my baby cryin'
Now if I can't come in, baby, just let me set down in your door
I can't come in, baby, let me set down in your door
Lord, I will leave so soon that your man won't never know
Lord, how can I live here, baby, Lord! and feel at ease?
How can I live here, baby, Lord! and feel at ease?
'Cause that woman that I got me, she do just what she please
I can't help myself, you know that?
Lord, you shouldn't mistreat me, baby, because I'm young and wild
Shouldn't mistreat me, 'cause I'm young and wild
You must always remember, baby, you was once a child
Lord, I'm leavin' in the mornin', baby, if I have to ride this line
Leave in the mornin', have to ride this line
Mmm, mistreat me, baby, and I swear I don't mind dying
Shining Moon [Lightnin' Hopkins]
Don't the moon look pretty
Shining down through the trees
Don't that shining moon look pretty, baby
Shining down through the trees
You know I can see my baby
When he can't see me
Yeah, I tiptoe to his window
Just to see my baby snore
I tiptoe to his window
Just to see how sweetie snores
You know it makes me feel like jumping, lord, lord
Through the keyhole in his door
Come crawl up to your window
Let me whisper in your ear
Come on and crawl up to your window, darling
Let me whisper in your ear
You know, I got something to tell you, baby
I don't want that girl around here
...keep her away
Thousand Miles From Nowhere [Robert Pete Williams]
Thousand miles, thousand miles
Thousand miles from nowhere
Thousand miles, thousand miles
Thousand miles from nowhere
Sitting down right here darling
In this little old one horse town
Well I'm all out and down
Running round here from door to door
Well I'm all out and down, baby
Running round here from door to door
Well I'm a thousand mile from nowhere darling
Running around here in this little old one horse town
Well I have no place to go woman
I gotta mind to lay my worries here tonight
I got no place to go
I gotta mind to lay my worries here tonight
Well I take a stroll away from home
And my poor mama laid down and died
Tombstone is my pillow
And the bare ground is my bed
Tombstone is my pillow, baby
Bare ground is my bed
Lord since my mother laid down and died
Lord look what a shape I'm in
Lord look a-here baby, when the sun is gone
Lord look what a shape it catch me in
Look when the sun gone, baby
Look what a shape it catch a poor boy in
Lord I'm going to lay right here, use this tombstone for a pillow
And this bare ground for my bed
Make Me A Pallet On The Floor [Sam Chatmon]
F
C
Oh make me down a pallet on your floor
F
C
Yes make me down a pallet on your floor
E
F
Just make me down a pallet on your floor
C
G
C
Oh make it so your man will never know
Don't ever drive a stranger from your door
Don't ever drive a stranger from your door
Don't ever drive a stranger from your door
He may be your best friend you don't know
Just take one pillow off your feather bed
Just take one pillow off your feather bed
Just take one pillow off your feather bed
And put it on your loving daddy's head
He's a country man and he just done moved to town
He's a country man and he just done moved to town
He's a country man he just done moved to town
He done sold his cotton now he is walking round
Just make him down a pallet on your floor
Just make him down a pallet on your floor
Just make him down a pallet on your floor
And send him back to the fields so he can raise some more
Levee Camp Moan Blues [Texas Alexander with Lonnie Johnson]
Mmm
Lord, they accused me of murder, but I haven't harmed a man
Accused me of murder, I haven't harmed a man
They have accused me of murder, and I haven't harmed a man
They have accused me of forgery and I can't write my name
Lord, They have accused me of forgery and I can't write my name
Went all around that whole corral
I couldn't find a mule with his shoulder well
I couldn't find a mule with his shoulder well
Worked all morn and I worked to bell
I couldn't find a mule with his shoulder well
Mmm mmm mmm
Lord, that morning bell
Lord, she went up the country, yeah, but she's on my mind
Well she went up the country, but she's on my mind
If she don't come on the big boat, she better not last
If she don't come on the big boat, bog boat, she better not last
Lord, If she don't come on the Big Boat, I mean she better not last
Pistol Slapper Blues [Blind Boy Fuller]
G
D7
I can tell my dog
G
C7
Anywhere I hear him bark
G
D7
I can tell my rider
G
If I feel her in the dark
You's a cold, blooded murderer
When you want me out your way
Says that's alright mama
You gonna need my help someday
And you say, you gonna put me
Woman, down in my lonesome grave
Girl you must remember
I once had been your slave
Solo
Well, I feel like slapping
My pistol in your face
Let some brown skinned woman
Be here to take your place
Hey hey, hey yeah
Mmm-mmm
Let some brown skinned woman
Be here to take your place
You know you didn't want me
When you lied down cross my bed
Drinkin' moonshine whiskey
And talking all outta your head
Bridge
G
Now gimme the money baby
I'll catch that train and go
You don't have to kill me
'Cause you don't want me no more
C7
D7
C7
G
Hey hey, 'cause you don't want me no more
D7
You give me the money baby
D7
C7
G
And I'll catch that train and go
Now if you see my rider
Tell her I said bring it home
I ain't had no loving
Since my girl been gone
There's two kinda people
In this world that I can't stand
That's a lying woman
And a monkey man
Honeysuckle [Corey Harris]
C
Bought my baby a brand new 'Benzo
F
G7
C
Bought my baby a diamond ring
F
Bought my baby a brand new 'Benzo
F
G7
C
A7
Bought my baby a diamond ring
G
G7
She said if you ain't no honey-dripper
D7
G7
Brother don't mean a doggone thing
C7
F
C
G
Bought my baby a passenger train
She said papa don't waste your time
Bought my baby a passenger train
She said papa don't waste your time
Now meet me across the tracks
And don't forget my honeysuckle wine
Solo
When I first met you baby
I tried to play it cool
When I first met you baby
Woman I tried to play it cool
But after all your good lovin'
I'll be glad to be your fool
Lay with me baby
Beneath the honeysuckle vine
Lay with me baby
'Neath the honeysuckle vine
For to suckle all this honey
Take a great long time
Baby take a great long time
Lazy Black Snake Blues [Josh White]
E
A
A7
E
I'm a lazy black snake, laziest snake you've ever seen
A
A7
E
I'm a lazy black snake, laziest snake you've ever seen
B7
A7
E
All the women prays about me, 'cause I'm so doggone mean
When you get old and feeble, Lord the people turn their back on you
When you get old and feeble, women turn their back on you
It makes me so mad 'cause I can't sing like I used to do
I'm so old my sting has lost its sting
I'm so doggone old my sting has done lost its sting
Aw, when I was young I used to sting and make 'em laugh and sing
Solo
When I was young they called me the lightning black snake fool
When I was young they called me the lightning black snake fool
But now I'm old and feeble they say the black snake ain't no good
I'm so doggone old that my poison bag is dry
I'm so doggone old Lord my poison bag gone dry
Oh it hurts me so bad I wish that I could die