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Robert Johnson : 1936, San Antonio
1936

  1. Kind Hearted Woman Blues
  2. I Believe I'll Dust My Broom
  3. Sweet Home Chicago
  4. Ramblin' On My Mind
  5. When You Got A Good Friend
  6. Come On In My Kitchen
  7. Terraplane Blues
  8. Phonograph Blues
  9. 32-20 Blues
  10. They're Red Hot
  11. Dead Shrimp Blues
  12. Cross Road Blues
  13. Walking Blues
  14. Last Fair Deal Gone Down
  15. Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped The Devil)
  16. If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day

Kind Hearted Woman Blues

Tuning: standard, down half a step
Capo:
II
A7
I got a kind hearted mama
A7
Do anything in this world for me
D7
I got a kind hearted mama
A
Do anything in this world for me
E7
But these evil-hearted women
E7
Man they will not let me be
A
E7
I love my baby My baby don't love me I love my baby, oooh My baby don't love me I really love that woman Can't stand to leave her be Now there ain't but the one thing Makes Mister Johnson drink I's worried 'bout how you treat me baby I begin to think Oh babe, my life don't feel the same You breaks my heart When you call me Mister So-and-So's name She's a kind hearted woman She studies evil all the time She's a kind hearted woman She studies evil all the time You well's to kill me, baby As to have it on your mind
Extra verse from Take 2:
Some day, some day I would shake your hand goodbye Some day, some day, hee I would shake you hand goodbye I can't give you anymore of my lovin' 'Cause I just ain't satisfied

I Believe I'll Dust My Broom

Tuning: EBEAC#E (Double Drop D, up a full step)
E
E7/d
A/c#
Am/c
E6/b
B9
----|-12-12-12-12-12-----12-12-12-|-9-----------9---9-|--
----|-----------------9-----------|-----------8-8-8---|--
--7-|-----------------------------|---------6---------|--
----|-------10-----9---------8--8-|-7--0--------------|--
----|-----------------------------|-------7-----7---7-|--
----|-----------------------------|-------7-----7---7-|--
E7
I'm gonna get up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
A7
E7
I'm gonna get up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom
B7
Girlfriend, the black man you've been lovin'
A7
|
E/b
E7/d
A/c#
Am/c
|
E/b
B9
| Girlfriend can get my room I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know I'm gonna write a letter, telephone every town I know If I can't find her in West Helena She must be in East Monroe I know I don't want no woman, wants every downtown man she meets I don't want no woman, wants every downtown man she meets She's a no good dooney They shouldn't allow her on the street I believe, I believe I'll go back home I believe, I believe I'll go back home You can mistreat me here babe But you can't when I'm back home And I'm gettin' up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom I'm gettin' up in the mornin', I believe I'll dust my broom Girlfriend the black man you been lovin' Girlfriend can get my room I'm gonna call up China, see is my good girl over there I'm gonna call up China, see is my good girl over there I can't find her on Philippines island She must be in Ethiopia somewhere

Sweet Home Chicago

Tuning: standard, down half a step
Capo:
II
A/c#
Am/c
E7/b
B7/f#
-12-12-12-|-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-|-10--0-----------------|--
----------|-------------------------|-----------------------|--
----------|-----------------------9-|--9--------2-2----2----|--
----------|-11----------10----10--9-|--9--0--1------1-------|--
----------|-------------------------|--------2------2-------|--
----------|-------------------------|--------2------2-----2-|--
E7
A7
E7
Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
B7
E7
Oh, baby, don't you want to go?
B7/f#
Back to the land of California
E
A
E
To my sweet home Chicago Oh, baby, don't you want to go Oh, baby, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago Now one and one is two, two and two is four I'm heavy loaded baby, I'm booked, I gotta go Cryin', baby Honey, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago Now two and two is four, four and two is six You gon' keep on monkeyin' round here friend-boy You gon' get your business all in a trick But I'm cryin', baby Honey, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago Now six and two is eight, eight and two is ten Friend-boy, she trick you one time She sure gon' do it again But I'm cryin', baby Honey, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago I'm goin' to California From there to Des Moines, Iowa Somebody will tell me that you Need my help someday, cryin' Hey, hey Baby, don't you want to go Back to the land of California To my sweet home Chicago

Ramblin' On My Mind

Tuning: EBEG#BE (Open E, down half a step)
Capo:
II
 I got ramblin', I got ramblin' on my mind I got ramblin', I got ramblin' all on my mind Hate to leave my baby, but you treats me so unkind I got mean things, I got mean things all on my mind Little girl, little girl, I got mean things all on my mind Hate to leave you here, babe, but you treats me so unkind Runnin' down to the station, catch the first mail-train I see (I think I hear her comin' now) Runnin' down to the station, catch the old first mail-train I see I got the blues about Miss So-and-So and the child got the blues about me And I'm leavin' this mornin', with my arm fold up and cryin' And I'm leavin' this mornin', with my arm fold up and cryin' Hate to leave my baby, but she treats me so unkind I got mean things, I've got mean things on my mind I got mean things, I got mean things all on my mind I got to leave my baby, well, she treats me so unkind
Alternate lyrics from Take 2:
And now babe, I will never forgive you anymore Little girl, little girl, I will never forgive you anymore You know you did not want me, baby, why did you tell me so? And I'm runnin' down to the station, catch that first mail-train I see (I hear her comin' now) An' I'm runnin' down to the station, catch that old first mail-train I see I've got the blues 'bout Miss So-and-So, and the child got the blues about me An' they's devilment, she got devilment all on her mind She's got devilment, little girl, you got devilment all on your mind Now I got to leave this mornin', with my arm fold up and cryin' I believe, I believe my time ain't long I believe, I believe that my time ain't long But I'm leavin' this mornin', I believe I will go back home

When You Got A Good Friend

Tuning: standard, down half a step
Capo:
II
 When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side Give her all of your spare time, love and treat her right I mistreated my baby, and I can't see no reason why I mistreated my baby, but I can't see no reason why Every time I think about it, I just wring my hands and cry Wonder could I bear apologize, or would she sympathize with me Would she sympathize with me She's a brown skin woman, just as sweet as a girl friend can be Babe, I may be right ay wrong Baby it's your opinion, oh, I may be right ay wrong Watch your close friend, baby, then your enemies can't do no harm When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side When you got a good friend, that will stay right by your side Give her all of your spare time, love and treat her right
Alternate lyrics from Take 2:
I love my baby, but I can't make that agree I love that woman, but what can we can't agree I really love that woman, wonder why we can't agree? It's your opinion, friend-girl, I may be right or wrong It's your opinion friend-girl, I may be right or wrong But when you watch your close friend, baby Then your enemies can't do you no harm

Come On In My Kitchen

Tuning: EAEAC#E (Open A = Open G, up half a step)
Capo:
II
 (Mmm mmm mmm...) You better come on in my kitchen Babe, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors Ah, the woman I love, took from my best friend Some joker got lucky stole her back again You better come on in my kitchen Baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors Oh-ah, she's gone I know she won't come back I've taken the last nickel out of her nation sack You better come on in my kitchen Babe, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors Oh, can't you hear that wind howl? Oh, can't you hear that wind howl? You better come on in my kitchen Babe, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors When a woman gets in trouble everybody throws her down Lookin' for her good friend none can be found You better come on in my kitchen Baby, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors Winter time's comin' hit's gon' to be slow You can't make the winter, babe That's dry long so You better come on in my kitchen 'Cause, it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors
Alternate lyrics from Take 2:
The woman that I love, I crave to see She's up the country, won't write to me Then, you better come on in my kitchen, goin' to be rainin' outdoors I went to the mountain, far as my eyes could see Some other man got my woman, lonesome blues got me But she better come on in my kitchen, 'cause it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors My mamma dead, papa well's to be Ain't got nobody to love and care for me She better come on in my kitchen, 'cause it's goin' to be rainin' outdoors

Terraplane Blues

Tuning: EAEAC#E (Open A = Open G, up half a step)
Capo:
II
 And I feel so lonesome, you hear me when I moan When I feel so lonesome, you hear me when I moan Who been drivin' my Terraplane, for you since I been gone I'd said I flash your lights, mama, you horn won't even blow (Somebody's been runnin' my batteries down on this machine) I even flash my lights, mama, this horn won't even blow Got a short in this connection, hoo well, babe, it's way down below I'm gonna heist your hood, mama, I'm bound to check your oil I'm gonna heist your hood, mama, mmm, I'm bound to check your oil I got a woman that I'm lovin', way down in Arkansas Now, you know the coils ain't even buzzin', little generator won't get the spark Motor's in a bad condition, you gotta have these batteries charged But I'm cryin', please, please don't do me wrong Who been drivin' my Terraplane now for, you since I been gone Mr Highwayman, please don't block the road Puh hee hee, please don't block the road 'Cause she's reachin' a cold one hundred and I'm booked and I got to go Yoo... you hear me weep and moan Who been drivin' my Terraplane now for, you since I been gone I'm gon' get down in this connection, keep on tanglin' with your wires I'm gon' get down in this connection, oh well, keep on tanglin' with these wires And when I mash down on your little starter, then your spark plug will give me fire

Phonograph Blues

Tuning: EBEAC#E (Double Drop D, up a full step)
Beatrice, she got a phonograph, and it won't say a lonesome word Beatrice, she got a phonograph, but it won't say a lonesome word What evil have I done, what evil has the poor girl heard? Beatrice, I love my phonograph, but you broke my windin' chain Beatrice, I love my phonograph, but you have broke my windin' chain And you taken my lovin', and you give it to your other man Now, we played it on the sofa, and we played it 'side the wall And we played it on the sofa, and we played it 'side the wall But boys, my needles have got rusty, and it will not play at all Beatrice, I go crazy, baby, I will lose my mind And I go crazy, honey, I will lose my mind Why don't you bring your clothes back home, and try me one more time? She got a phonograph, and it won't say a lonesome word She got a phonograph, ooh, won't say a lonesome word What evil have I done, or what evil have the poor girl heard?
Alternate lyrics from Take 2:
Now my phonograph, mmm, babe, it won't say a lonesome word My little phonograph, and it won't say a lonesome word What evil I have done, what evil have the poor girl heard? Now Beatrice, won't you bring your clothes back home Now Beatrice, won't you bring your clothes back home I wanna wind your little phonograph, just to hear your little motor moan

32-20 Blues

Tuning: standard, down half a step
Capo:
I
 If I send for my baby, and she don't come If I send for my baby, man, and she don't come All the doctors in Hot Springs sure can't help her none And if she gets unruly, thinks she don't wanna do And if she gets unruly and thinks she don't wanna do Take my 32-20, now, and cut her half in two She got a .38 special but I believe it's most too light She got a .38 special but I believe it's most too light I got a 32-20, got to make the caps alright If I send for my baby, man, and she don't come If I send for my baby, man, and she don't come All the doctors in Hot Springs sure can't help her none I'm gonna shoot my pistol, gonna shoot my Gatling gun I'm gonna shoot my pistol, gotta shoot my Gatling gun You made me love you, now your man have come Ahoh, baby, where you stayed last night Ahah, baby, where you stayed last night You got your hair all tangled and you ain't talking right Her .38 special, boys, it do very well Her .38 special, boys, it do very well I got a 32-20 now, and it's a burning If I send for my baby, man, and she don't come If I send for my baby, man, and she don't come All the doctors in Wisconsin sure can't help her none Hey, hey, baby, where you stayed last night Hey, hey, baby, where you stayed last night You didn't come home until the sun was shining bright Ahoh boy, I just can't take my rest Ahoh boy, I just can't take my rest With this 32-20 laying up and down my breast

They're Red Hot

Tuning: standard, down half a step
Capo:
I
 Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale I got a girl, say she long and tall She sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in the hall Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale, I mean Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale She got two for a nickel, got four for a dime Would sell you more, but they ain't none of mine Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale, I mean Yes, she got 'em for sale, yes, yeah Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale I got a letter from a girl in the room Now she got something good she got to bring home soon, now Its hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale, I mean Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale (They're too hot boy!) The billy got back in a bumble bee nest Ever since that he can't take his rest, yeah Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes you got 'em for sale, I mean Yes, she got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale (Man don't mess around 'em hot tamales now 'Cause they too black bad, if you mess around 'em hot tamales I'm gonna upset your backbone, put your kidneys to sleep I'll due to break away your liver and dare your heart to beat 'bout my) Hot tamales 'cause they red hot, yes they got 'em for sale, I mean Yes, she got 'em for sale, yeah Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale You know grandma left and grandpa too Well I wonder what in the world we children gon' do now Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale, I mean Yes she got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale Me and my babe bought a V8 Ford Well we wind that thing all on the running board, yes Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale, I mean Yes she got 'em for sale, yeah Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale (They're too hot boy!) Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes, now she got 'em for sale You know the monkey, now the baboon playin' in the grass Well the monkey stuck his finger in that old "Good Gulf Gas", now Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale, I mean Yes she got 'em for sale, yeah Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale I got a girl, say she long and tall Sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in the hall Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got 'em for sale, I mean Yes she got 'em for sale, yeah

Dead Shrimp Blues

Tuning: standard, down half a step
Capo:
II
 I woke up this mornin' and all my shrimps was dead and gone I woke up this mornin', ooh, and all my shrimp was dead and gone I was thinkin' about you, baby, why you hear me weep and moan I got dead shrimps here, someone is fishin' in my pond I got dead shrimps here, ooh, someone fishin' in my pond I've served my best bait, baby, and I can't do that no harm Everything I do, babe, you got your mouth stuck out Hole where I used to fish, you got me posted out Everything I do, you got your mouth stuck out At the hole where I used to fish, baby, you've got me posted out I got dead shrimps here, and someone fishin' in my pond I got dead shrimps here, someone fishin' in my pond Catchin' my goggle-eye perches, and they barbequin' the bone Now you taken my shrimps, baby, you know you turned me down I couldn't do nothin', until I got myself unwound You taken my shrimps, oh, know you turned me down Babe, I couldn't do nothin', until I got myself unwound

Cross Road Blues

Tuning: EAEAC#E (Open A = Open G, up half a step)
Capo:
II
A
A7/g
D/f#
Dm/f
A/e
E7
|/12-12-12-12-12-12-12---/12|----------------|---------------------|-----------|
|/12-12-12-12-12-12-12---/12|---/12----------|---------------------|-----------|
|---------------------/12---|-------12\/3--0-|---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|-0---------|
|---------------------/12---|-0--------------|-----3-3---2---2-1-1-|-0----0----|
|---------------------------|-0--------------|-0-------------------|---/4------|
|---------------------------|----------------|-----3-----2-----1---|-0------0--|
A
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
D7
A
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
E7
A
A7
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy, save poor Bob, if you please" Yoo, standin' at the crossroad, tried to flag a ride Ooh-wee, I tried to flag a ride Didn't nobody seem to know me, babe, everybody pass me by Standin' at the crossroad, baby, risin' sun goin' down Standin' at the crossroad, baby, eee, eee, risin' sun goin' down I believe to my soul, now, poor Bob is sinkin' down You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown You can run, you can run, tell my friend Willie Brown That I got the crossroad blues this mornin', Lord, babe, I'm sinkin' down And I went to the crossroad, mama, I looked east and west I went to the crossroad, baby, I looked east and west Lord, I didn't have no sweet woman, ooh well, babe, in my distress
Alternate lyrics from Take 2:
Mmm, the sun goin' down, boy, dark gon' catch me here Ooh, ooh-wee, boy, dark gon' catch me here I haven't got no lovin' sweet woman that love and feel my care You can run, you can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown You can run, tell my friend-boy Willie Brown Lord, that I'm standin' at the crossroad, babe, I believe I'm sinkin' down

Walking Blues

Tuning: EAEAC#E (Open A = Open G, up half a step)
Capo:
II
 I woke up this mornin', feelin' round for my shoes Know 'bout that I got these, old walkin' blues Woke up this mornin', feelin' round for my shoes But you know 'bout that I, got these old walkin' blues Lord, I feel like blowin' my old lonesome horn Got up this mornin', my little Bernice was gone Lord, I feel like blowin' my lonesome horn Well I got up this mornin', whoa, all I had was gone Well ah leave this morn of I have to, whoa, ride the blind, ah I've feel mistreated and I don't mind dyin' Leavin' this morn ah, I have to ride a blind Babe, I been mistreated, baby, and I don't mind dyin' Well, some people tell me that the worried, blues ain't bad Worst old feelin' I most ever had, some People tell me that these old worried old blues ain't bad It's the worst old feelin', I most ever had She got an Elgin movement from her head down to her toes Break in on a dollar most anywhere she goes, oh oh (To her head down to her toes, oh, honey) Lord, she break in on a dollar, most anywhere she goes

Last Fair Deal Gone Down

Tuning: EAEAC#E (Open A = Open G, up half a step)
A
A7/g
D/f#
Dm/f
A/e
|-11/12-/12-/12-/12-------------|-------------|--------------------|------------|
|-------/12-/12-/12-12----------|-------------|--------------0-----|------------|
|-------------------12-12\/3-/3-|-0-----------|---0--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|-0----------|
|-------------------------------|------0------|-0----3-3-3-2---1-1-|-0-----0----|
|-------------------------------|----0----4/5-|--------------------|---4/5----0-|
|-------------------------------|-------------|------3-----2---1---|------------|
A
It's the last fair deal gone down Last fair deal gone down It's the last fair deal gone down, good Lord On that Gulfport Island Road Ida Belle don't cry this time Ida Belle don't cry this time If you cry 'bout a nickel, you die 'bout a dime She wouldn't cry, but the money won't mine I love the way you do I love the way you do I love the way you do, good Lord On this Gulfport Island Road My captain's so mean on me My captain's so mean on me My captain's so mean on me, good Lord On this Gulfport Island Road Take camp, baby, and sing Camp, baby, and sing Let's camp, baby, and sing, good Lord On that Gulfport Island Road I've the last fair deal gone down It's the last fair deal gone down It's the last fair deal gone down, good Lord On this Gulfport Island Road I'm workin' my way back home I'm workin' my way back home I'm workin' my way back home, good Lord On this Gulfport Island Road And that thing don't keep ringin' so soon That thing don't keep ringin' so soon And that thing don't keep ringin' so soon, good Lord On that Gulfport Island Road

Preachin' Blues (Up Jumped The Devil)

Tuning: EBEG#BE (Open E, down half a step)
I's up this mornin', ah, blues walkin' like a man I's up this mornin', ah, blues walkin' like a man Worried blues, give me your right hand And the blues fell mama's child, tore me all upside down Blues fell mama's child, and it tore me all upside down Travel on, poor Bob, just can't turn you round The blues, is a low-down shakin' chill (Yes, preach 'em now) Is a low-down shakin' chill You ain't never had 'em I, hope you never will Well, the blues , is a achin' old heart disease (Do it now, you gon' do it? Tell me all about it) The blues, is a low-down achin' heart disease Like consumption, killing me by degrees I can study rain, oh oh drive, oh oh drive my blues I been studyin' the rain and, I'm gonna drive my blues away Goin' to the distillery, stay out there all day

If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day

Tuning: EAEAC#E (Open A = Open G, up half a step)
If I had possession, over judgement day If I had possession, over judgement day Lord, the little woman I'm lovin' wouldn't, have no right to pray And I went to the mountain, lookin' as far as my eyes could see And I went to the mountain, lookin' as far as my eyes would see Some other man got my woman, and these lonesome blues got me And I rolled and I tumbled and I, cried the whole night long And I rolled and I tumbled and I, cried the whole night long Boy, I woke up this mornin', my biscuit roller gone Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away (I didn't like the way she done) Had to fold my arms and I, slowly walked away I said in my mind, "Your trouble gon' come some day" Now run here, baby, set down on my knee Now run here, baby, set down on my knee I wanna tell you all about the way they treated me