Transpose up (k) Transpose down (j) Cycle song versions (v) Toggle Nashville chords (n) Toggle lyrics only (z) Toggle modulation (m) ------------------------- Jump to artists index (i) Jump to current artists index (I) Jump to song index Jump to tunings index Jump to folk index Jump to theory page ------------------------- Toggle multicolumn Toggle dark mode ------------------------- Find song (f) Random song (r) Random song (current artist) (R)

Misc: Blues : 52 Weeks Of The Blues


  1. Death Don't Have No Mercy
  2. Stump Blues
  3. Stagger Lee
  4. Whiskey Headed Woman
  5. The Death Of Blind Boy Fuller
  6. Saturday Blues
  7. Last Kind Words Blues
  8. Country Woman
  9. Cocaine Blues
  10. Ain't Gonna Let No Woman
    +1
  11. Bring Me My Shotgun
  12. James Alley Blues
  13. Me And My Telephone
  14. Hard Road Blues
  15. Dupree Blues
  16. Goin' Where The Monon Crosses The Yellow Dog
  17. Arrangement For Me Blues
  18. Key To The Highway
  19. Night-Time Is The Right Time
    +1
  20. Blue Ghost Blues
  21. Fishin' Blues
  22. Happy Blues
  23. Sundown Blues
  24. Creepin' Blues
  25. I'll Fly Away
  26. Runaway Man Blues
  27. Lonesome Road Blues
  28. Frank Stokes' Dream
  29. I Want To Do Something For You
  30. Someday Baby
  31. Slippin' 'Til My Gal Comes In, Partner
  32. Slidin' Delta
  33. Showers Of Rain Blues
  34. Sunday Street
  35. Ramblin' On My Mind
  36. Hollandale Blues
  37. Queen Bee
  38. Mama's Quittin' And Leavin'
  39. Ragged And Dirty
  40. Shining Moon
  41. Thousand Miles From Nowhere
  42. Make Me A Pallet On The Floor
  43. Levee Camp Moan Blues
  44. Pistol Slapper Blues
  45. Honeysuckle
  46. Lazy Black Snake Blues

Death Don't Have No Mercy [Reverend Gary Davis]

Em
Am
B7
Em
Death don't have no mercy in this land
Em7
A7
D7
G
B7
Death don't have no mercy in this land
Em
He'll come to your house and he won't stay long
Am
C
You'll look in the bed and somebody will be gone
Em
C
Em
B7
Em
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


Stagger Lee [Taj Mahal]

<Trad; Roud 4183>
Tuning: DADGBE (Drop D)
D
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


The Death Of Blind Boy Fuller [Brownie McGhee]

Capo:
I
E
A7
He's gone, Blind Boy Fuller's gone away
E
A7
He's gone, Blind Boy Fuller's gone away
B7
A7
E
B7
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


Ain't Gonna Let No Woman [Guitar Gabriel]

Capo:
II
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)


Bring Me My Shotgun [Lightnin' Hopkins]

D
Whoa, go bring me my shotgun
G
D
Oh I'm gonna start shootin' again
G
Go bring me my shotgun
D
You know I just got to start shootin' again
A
You know I'm gonna shoot my woman
D
'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


James Alley Blues [Richard "Rabbit" Brown]

Capo:
III
(high 5 strings only, low D remains open)
The fifth string is usually played fretted as if capoed, so 0 = 3rd fret and
2 = 5th fret, but 0* indicates the (uncapoed) open low-D string.
A
/f#
--------|-0---------------|-----0-----0-----0----|---0-2---0-----0--------|
--------|----2---2--------|-------1b2---1b2---1b-|-2---------1b2---b1-2---|
--------|------2----------|----------------------|------------------------|
--------|-------------4---|-4--------------------|-----4----------------4-|
--------|-0----0----0---0-|---0----0-----0-------|-0-----0----0-------0---|
--------|-----------------|----------------------|------------------------|
D
A
|-----------------|-------0---------|------0----0------|-0---0--0---------|
|-----3-----------|-----------3-----|------2----2------|-2---2--2---2-----|
|---2---2---2---2-|-4-2---------4-2-|------2----2------|-2---2--2-----2---|
|-0-------0-------|-0---0---0---0---|------2----2------|-2---2--2-------2-|
|-----------------|-----------------|-0----------------|-0----------------|
|-------------0---|-----------------|---------------2--|------------------|
E
A
|-----------------|-------0---0-----|------------------|----0-0---------0-|
|-------0---------|-------0---0-----|---1b-2-----------|----2-2---1b-2----|
|-----1---1-------|-----1---1-----1-|--------2---------|-2--2-------------|
|---2-------2---2-|---2-------------|------------4---4-|------------------|
|-----------------|-----------------|-0--------0---0---|-0------0---------|
|-2-----------0*--|-2---------------|------------------|------------------|
A
The times ain't now nothin' like they used to be
D
Oh, times ain't now nothin' like they used to be
E
A
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


Hard Road Blues [Blind Blake]

Capo:
I
G
D7
G7
Keep on walking and walking talking to myself
C
G7
Keep on walking and walking talking to myself
D7
A7
D7
G7
D7
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


Key To The Highway [Big Bill Broonzy]

Capo:
III
Intro
B7
A7
E
B7
---|---5-5--7-5--7------|--0--3-2-0-3-2-0----|----0--3/4--4-3/2-0-|--------------------|
---|-4------------------|-2-2-------------2--|--0-----------------|--0--------0----0-0-|
---|-4------------------|-2------------------|0h1--1--/4--4-3/2---|0h1--------2----2-2-|
-4-|-----4----4----4-2--|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
---|--------------------|-----0-----0-----0-0|--------------------|-------2-2----2-2---|
---|--------------------|--------------------|--0--0---0------0---|--0/4---------------|
Verse
E
B7
A7
|---4-4-4-4-4--------|----5-5--5----------|------3----2--------|-3----3----2--------|
|-----5-5-5-5--------|-4-------4----------|--------------------|---------2----------|
|--------------------|-4------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
|-----------------4--|------4----4---4----|--------------------|--------------------|
|--------------------|--------------------|-0----0----0----0---|-0----0----0----0---|
|-0---0-----0---0----|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
E
C#7
B7
E
B7
|-----------2--------|--------------------|-----3--3-0--0-2-0--|-0---------------0--|
|--------------------|--------------------|------------2-----2-|---------------0-0--|
|--------------------|-4---4-----2---2-1--|-1-1----------------|-------------2-2-2--|
|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|-------------1-1-1--|
|---------------2/3--|/4---4---4-2---2----|--------------------|-------2--2---------|
|-0---0---0---0------|--------------------|-0---0----0----0----|-0--/4--------------|
E
B7
I got the key to the highway
A7
I'm billed out and bound to go
E
C#7
I'm gonna leave here runnin'
B7
E
B7
'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 [Mance Lipscombe]

|---------------|---------------|-------------------|---------------|
|---------------|-3-------------|-3-0---------------|-2-------------|
|----------2/4--|-----------2/4-|-----2-0h1-----2/4-|-----------2/4-|
|-2-------------|---------------|-----------2-------|---------------|
|---------------|---------------|-------------------|---------------|
|---0---0-------|-0--0--0--0----|-0---0-----0--0----|-0--0--0--0----|
|--------------------|---------------|----------------------|--------
|-3--0---------------|-5-------------|-5--5-5--5-5--0-------|--------
|------2-0h1------/6-|------------/6-|----------------2-0-1-|--------
|------------2-------|---------------|----------------------|--------
|--------------------|-0--0--0--0----|-0----0----0----0-----|--------
|-0----0-----0--0----|---------------|----------------------|--------
E
Listen here baby, what I'm going to say to you
A7
E
I want you to know baby, I got the bye-bye blues
B
E
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


Blue Ghost Blues [Lonnie Johnson]

E
A
E
Mmm, I feel myself sinkin' down
A
E
B7
E
Mmm, I feel myself sinkin' down
B7
E
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


I Want To Do Something For You [Mance Lipscombe]

Capo:
I
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


Sunday Street [Dave Van Ronk]

Capo:
II
D
|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
|-3---0---3---0---|-3---0-3---3-----|-3---0---3---0---|-3---0-3---3-----|
|---2---2---2---2-|---2-----------2-|---2---2---2---2-|---2----------/7-|
|-----3---4---3---|-4---3-4-----4---|-----3---4---3---|-4---3-4-----4---|
|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
|-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|-0-------0-------|
G
D
|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
|-6---5---3-0---6-|-----5---3-------|-3---0---3---0---|-3---0-3---3-----|
|---0---0------/7-|---0---0-0----0--|---2---2---2---2-|---2-----------2-|
|-----0-------0---|-----0------0----|-----3---4---3---|-4---3-4-----4---|
|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
|-5-------5-------|-5-------5-------|-0-------0-------|-0---------------|
A
G
D
|-5-0-------0---3-|-----0------0----|-----------------|-----------------|
|-------0-------0-|---3-----------3-|-----3---3---3---|-3------3--------|
|-------7---------|-------3h4-------|-------2---2---2-|------2----------|
|-----7-------5---|-----5--------0--|-----4-------5---|----4------------|
|-0-------0-------|-----------------|-----------------|----------2/-----|
|-----------------|-5---------5-----|-0-------0-------|-0------0--------|
D
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


Ramblin' On My Mind [Eric Clapton]

<Robert Johnson>
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


Queen Bee [Taj Mahal]

Capo:
III
It uses standard chord shapes -- G, C and Em
Alternating bassline, heavily muted.
G
Em
G
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


Ragged And Dirty [Willie Brown]

Capo:
VII
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