Lyrics Transciptions of the Walter Roland Compositions {back to main page} 45 PISTOL BLUES I'm goin' over in Third Alley, Lord but I'm goin' to carry my thirty-five Lord I'm goin' over in Third Alley, Lord but I'm goin' to carry my forty-five Because you know ain't many men, go over there and come back alive They will shoot you and cut you, Lord they will knock you down Lord they'll shoot you and cut you, Lord they will knock you down And you can ask anybody: "Ain't that the baddest place in town?" Mens carries thirty-eights, womens carry razors too Mens carry thirty-eights, womens carry their razors too And you know you better not start nothin'; do, them make away with you Says I ain't goin' in Third Alley no more, unless I change my mind Ain't goin' to Third Alley no more, Lord 'less I change my mind 'Cause you know I done got shot once over there, Lord and stobbed three or four times Says you know I'm goin' to leave, Lord my forty-five most at home Lord, my forty-five most too big, 'Cause you know when I carry that gun, Lord I can't keep it hid   BACK DOOR BLUES Says come here baby, sit down on your daddy's knee, Says come here baby, sit down on your daddy's knee, Says I just want to tell you, woman how you mistreated me. Say you treated me smoky, but that never'll happen no more, Mm-mm, that'll never happen no more, Because if you do not love me woman, it's down the road I'll go. Says I left my woman, standing in the back door cryin', Says ah mm, baby in the back door cryin', I know she musta had the blues, because I be that a-way myself sometime. Said she hollered and she screamed: "Baby I will be good", Mm "Babe, 'clare that I'll be good", Says: "I'd a-been that-a way the first time, great Lord baby, if I could". Says: 'I'm gonna tell you this now baby, ain’t gon' tell you nothin' else", Says: 'I'm gonna tell you now baby, ain't gon' tell you nothin' else", "Do you think I'm crazy enough to believe, I got a whole woman by myself?" [Note: The Oxford Dictionary gives a subsidiary obsolescent meaning of "smoky" as: 'quick to suspect or take note; shrewd; sharp, suspicious'. It gives a 1765 example: "This old brother of ours tho is smoaky (sic) and shrewd". It also cites a cowboy usage in the United States, describing the temperament of horses, and meaning 'vicious'.]   BAD DREAM BLUES Last night I had a dream, Lord and it was all about you, Last night I had a dream, Lord and it was all about you, And you know says you done left me, Lord what is I'm goin' to do? Says I dreamed that I fought you, Lord and I blacked your eye, Mm I fought you, Lord and I blacked your eye, You know says I would cut your throat, Lord but you 's too good to die. Says you don't know, woman how much that I cares for you, Says woman you don't knows, how much that I cares for you, But you know I'm still wonderin', hope that dream don't come true. I says baby be careful, Lord 'bout the things you do, Eh-hey, Lord 'bout the things you do's, 'Cause you know the first thing you know, Lord I'm gon' make away with you.   BIG MAMA Hollerin' hey big mama, Hollerin' hey big mama, Hollerin' hey big mama, Hollerin' hey big mama, take your big legs off a-me. She got some great big legs, she's got them whoppin' thighs, She got some great big legs, whoppin' thighs, She got some great big legs, whoppin' thighs, And every time she leave me, you know it makes me cry. Every time she'd call me, you know she makes me mad, Every time she'd call me, you know it makes me mad, Every time she'd call me, it makes me mad, But I ain't never told her, about that man she had. You know she makes me mad, when she'd call my name, She makes me awful mad, when she called my name, She makes me awful mad, when she called my name, But you know I ain't never told her, she could not shake that thing.   C. W. A. BLUES My woman told me to: "Get up this mornin', go get yourself a job", "I want you to try to take care of me, while the times is hard". I hollered: "Hey woman, great God is you goin' my way?" Says: "I believe I'll go try to get me a job, workin' for that C. W. A." She told me that folks goin' round here talkin' about they've, got jobs for sale, "If you want a good job, just go to that old county jail", And holler: "Hey man, great God let me go your way", "I just want a job workin', for that C. W. A." You know that C. W. A. they pay you, nine-sixty a week, You don't have to worry about that Welfare, somethin' to eat." I hollered: "Hey woman, will you go my way?" "'Cause I got a job workin', for that C. W. A." You know I told my woman this mornin' just about, half past three, I said: "Wake up early, and come go with me", And holler: "Hey woman, do you wanna go my way?" "'Cause you know I got a job workin' now, for that C. W. A." You know I want to take my woman down, to that Welfare Store, I'm gon' carry her this time and I won't have to, carry her no more, And holler: "Hey woman, do you want to go my way?" "'Cause you know I got a job now workin', for that C. W. A."   CLUB MEETING BLUES My wife done joined a club, I know she done something wrong, Says my wife done joined a club, I know she done done something wrong, Because two nights a week, that club meetin' got to be carried on. Some said she was with Mister Jack last night, some said she was with Mister Lee, Some said she was with Mister Jack last night, some said she was with Mister Lee, I don't give a dog gone who she with, she'd better bring it home to me. I ain't gon' get me a woman, Lord that will not join that band, I'm gon' get a woman, Lord that will not join that band, Because if I catch her messin' around, she gon' have Hell on her hand. Boys if you want a good woman, don't let her join no club, Lord if you want a good woman, don't let her join no club, Because she just makin' 'rangements, to meet that one she love. You can always tell, when it's something goin' on wrong, Always tell, something goin' on wrong, She'll say: "Club meetin' held late, and Mister So-and-so brung me home".   COLD BLOODED MURDER You 's a cold blooded murder, when you want me out your way You 's a cold blooded murder, when you want me out your way That's all right baby, you will need my help some day And you said you gonna put me, Lord in my lonesome grave And you said you gonna put me, Lord in my lonesome grave And you know you'll be sorry, 'cause once I have been your slave You 's a cold blooded murder, when you know that your chance is good You 's a cold blooded murder, when you know that your chance is good But that's all right baby, I'd be the same way if I could Give me the money baby, I'll catch the train and go You don't have to kill me, because you don't want me no more I said give me this money baby, and I'll catch the train and go And you don't have to kill me, just because you don't want me no more Right now baby I'm, sleepin' by myself And if you don't want me I don't, want nobody else I said right now baby, sleepin' by myself And if you don't want me, Lord I don't want nobody else   COLLECTOR MAN BLUES Eh-hey, somebody knockin' on my door, Eh-hey, somebody knockin' on my door, Says it may be a collector, baby I sure don't know. He will try to tear your house down, Lord and this is what he will say, He will try to tear your house down, and this is what he will say, Says: "I’m got to have some money, 'cause you didn't give me nothing last pay-day". Aside by Bogan: Honey pay him, 'cause I'm tired of them collectors worryin' poor me. Folks, one thing that I sure can't stand, I says folks, one thing that I sure can't stand, Say your children can't even play, for hollerin': "Daddy yon come that collector man". Says folks don't buy nothin', Lord on Instalment Plan, I says folks don't buy nothin', Lord on Instalment Plan, And you will not be worried, Lord with no collector man.   COME ON DOWN [Scott, second vocal at times] Come on down, come on down Gonna be a jubilee in Nashville town, Honey dear, listen here, What a grand time it's gonna be, Say you can dance with your honey, With a pocket full of money, Let's go to Mandolee. It's come on down, come on down, Gonna be a jubilee in Nashville’s town. Honey dear, listen here, Holler out the window and tell Miss Corinda to, Come on too, [Scott: What for?] Barbecue, What a grand time it's gonna be. Says you can dance with your honey, Boys if you ain't got no money, Let's go to Mandolee. It's come on down, come on down, Gonna be a jubilee in Nashville town. Honey dear, listen here, What a grand time it's gonna be. You can dance with your honey, With a pocket full of money, Let's go to Mandolee. It's come on down, come on down, Gonna be a jubilee in Nashville's town, Honey dear, listen here, Holler out the window and tell Miss Corinda to Come on too, barbecue What a grand time it's gonna be, You dance with your honey, With your pocket full of money, Let's go to Mandolee.   DICE’S BLUES Said you know dices oh dices, please don't three on me I said dices oh dices, please don't you three on me You know says I'm just as broke and hungry, as any gambler ought to be Says my woman give me money, just to play coon-can You know my woman give me money, just to play coon-can I didn't win no money but, great God you know I played my hand Says I went down in Louisiana, says you know down on that farm Down in Louisiana, down on that farm Aye if I win any money, sure gonna bring it home Says you know I gambled yesterday, and I gambled 'gain today Says I gambled yesterday, and I gambled again today But you know if I don't win tomorrow, I'm gon' throw my cards away Says you know I'm gonna gamble, 'cause you know I gamble all the time Said you know I'm gonna gamble, 'cause I been gamblin' all the time But you know says I'm got to win some money, so I can give it to that gal of mine   EARLY IN THE MORNING NO. 2 Says me and my good girl, we had a fallin' out, And I bet you mens can tell me, what it's all about. We fell out early in the mornin', baby 'bout the break of day, Then I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. I says: "Go get your hat baby, lets go in the woods", "If you can't go now, please ma'am, tell me when you could." She say: "I go early in the mornin', baby 'bout the break of day", Then I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. You know I got me a woman now, they call her Aunt Kate, I told her to come to my house tonight, about half past eight. She said she'd be there early in the mornin', baby 'bout the break of day, Then I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. You know a girl get twelve years old, she think she’s grown, You never can catch that kinda girl at home. Unlessen you go there early in the mornin', baby 'bout the break of day, Then I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. I'm gonna sing this verse now, ain't gonna sing no more, I want to see my good girl and I think I'd better go, Before it get early in the mornin', baby 'bout the break of day, Then I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay.   EARLY THIS MORNING There is one thing baby, I want you to know, I can get me a woman any, where I go, Lord it's early this mornin', just about the break of day, I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. I woke up this mornin', 'bout half past four, I heard somebody knockin' on, my back door, Lord it's early this mornin', just about the break of day, I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. I don't want no woman, got face like a man, She walk in your house, be trouble in the land, Lord early this morning, just about the break of day, Turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. I woke up this mornin', 'bout half past two, I met my woman, on Lenox Avenue, Lord it's early this morning, just about the break of day, I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay.   EARLY THIS MORNING (‘BOUT BREAK OF DAY) There's one thing, want you to know, I can get me a woman, anywhere I go, Said early in the morning, mama 'bout the break of day, I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. I woke up this morning 'bout, half past four, Heard somebody knockin', on my back door, Said it's early in the morning, baby 'bout the break of day, Says I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. Says I don't want no woman, got face like a natural man, She walk in your house, it'd be 'struction in the land, Says early in the morning, baby 'bout the break of day, Says I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay. Woke up this morning 'bout, half past two, Met my woman, down on Allen Avenue, Now early in the morning, baby 'bout the break of day, Says I turned over and hugged the pillow, where my baby used to lay.   EVERY MORNING BLUES Says every mornin' every mornin', I wakes with the risin' sun, Every mornin' every mornin' I, wake with the risin' sun, Said won't you run here pretty mama, see what your man have done. I said take me back baby, I won't be bad no more, Said if you take me back baby, I won't be bad no more, Says I give you my money, if you let that other man go. I said don't take my money, then try to dog me around, I said don't take my money, then try to dog me 'round, 'Cause if you do, I'm gon' tear your playhouse down. Says I ain't gon' give you no more money, I ain't gon' let you do me wrong, I ain't gon' give you no more money, 'cause I ain't gon' let you do me wrong, 'Cause you will take my money, then you will slip off home.   FRISCO BLUES Have you ever heard that lovin' Frisco blow? Y' ever heard that lovin' Frisco blow? Y' ever heard that lovin' Frisco blow? It blows just like she ain't gon' blow no more. Aside: Play the Frisco man, play it! Aside: See that Frisco train Mm, Lord have mercy on me, Mm Lord have mercy, on me, I'm just worried, and blues as I can be. Aside: Play the Frisco, Mister   HOUSE LADY BLUES Says it's hey house lady, seem like you hard to hear, Says hey house lady, seem like you hard to hear, Says if you is not got no whiskey, said bring me just one bottle of your beer. Says hey house lady, please ma'am don’t get mad, Says hey house lady, please ma'am don’t get mad, I just wants another little drink of that, stuff what I just now had. Says hey house lady say, you sure do treat me mean, Says hey house lady says, you sure do treat me mean, Says you treat me just like says I, is not no human being. Says I've been sitting here playing, mama for the whole night long, Says hey house lady I been playing, for you the whole night long, And I says you is not even give, me just one drink of corn.   HUNGRY MAN’S SCUFFLE Scott: Play it man, it makes me happy. Bogan: Let your feet get happy boy, that's what I wanna see, let your feet get happy. Shucks now, listen to that stuff. You hear that, don't you boy? Scott: Uh-ha Bogan: Can you do the buck and wing? Scott: Little bit Bogan: Well I wanna see you do it, I'll tell you if you can. Ah, haul them ashes from home boy, haul 'em. That's what I'm talking about. Look a-there. Come on everybody, come here, come here quick. Pull that coal from the mine boy, bring it here. Shucks now. Boy, that just won't quit. Bogan: What you do that, for women or for money? Scott: I don't do it, just because I can. I do's this, keep from starvin'. Bogan: Boy you is hungry, I see you look like it. Scott: Ah boy. Bogan: Chad, fix some chittlin's for this man, he's hungry. So he can do it good. Scott: Everything nice. Bogan: Boy, you just come in this town, I can tell that. Scott: Stranger here. Bogan: Plum out of town, and y'ell out in the country. Scott: Who you talking to? Bogan: Some of your folks. Scott: That's all right, then. Bogan: Pull that wagon boy, pull it. Bogan: Whoa now, whoa. Scott: Shucks I've got to go, I hear that music, I can't fool around here this a-way. Bogan: Let me have it then, let me have it. Go on fool, your home ain't here no-how. You look just like that nigger I met at Slick Rock.   I’M GONNA SHAVE YOU DRY Aside: Oh, you shave it! Aside by Bogan: Play those dogs, boy. Well you know says I left Cincinnati you know with, somethin' on my mind, Shank bowl the head of my dick, with blue balls in my groins, When I hit Birmingham, you know I was feelin’ awful funny, Nest of crabs in my ass, and the whores had my money, Now you know all I could say: "You know them bitches done shaved me dry". Say you know said the she-frog, you know she jumped from Muddy Run, Say wasn't a Baptist here, couldn't make her come, He-frog you know, he jumped from the bottom of the well, Says "I'll make you come, fit to carry my black ass back to hell", Now I told 'em: "No". Great God says, "I'll shave 'em dry". Aside by Bogan: Play them dogs, boy. There are plenty to thrill. Say you know says come here woman, said and lay your black self down, You know I'm gonna fuck you right there till you're, plum fucked out. You know said after then, great God I'm gonna shave you dry. Said you know says I went to a woman's house you know, early this morn', You know when I got there, I had a stiff hard on, Says I've knocked on the windows, says and I knocked on the door, Took so doggone long to open, 'til I come on the floor, And you know she have to holler says, baby says (aside by Bogan: Oh play 'em) shave 'em dry. Says you know said I'm goin' next week you know, to the cemetery ground, I'm gon' carry me a woman there, and I said I'm gonna lay her down, You know there's a word and there that I ain't gonna say, You know said I done so long, till you know she said: "Baby I'm dead". Now I told her: "No, great God I just shaved you dry". Say you know says early this mornin', you know just about half past three, Woman told me to: "Turn over, say you know what she promised me", I say: "I ain't promised you a thing woman, says I just been in luck", She says: "Turn over here baby", says, says: "Right there 'cause I just want to fuck". I says: "You know I'm tellin' you now", great God said: "I'm gonna shave you dry".   LAST YEAR BLUES Said you know says way last summer, great Lord 'bout end of the spring, Said you know it was way last summer, Lord just 'bout the give of the spring, Say you know my good girl she went away, and Lord and she did not say a thing. Said you know but I found her this mornin', Lord says I'm gon' bring her home, Lord you know I found her this mornin', Lord I'm gonna bring her home, Says you know she’s been messin' with, don't leave my gal alone. Say you know I followed her down the road, just far as I could see, Mm mm, Lord far as I could see, Said you know a man had my good girl, and great God and the blues had me. Said you know says gon' be a funeral, these here mens don't leave my girl alone, Say you know says it's gon' be a funeral, if these here mens don't leave my girl alone, But you know I've been having trouble, ever since my girl's been gone. Says mm babe, mm babe-babe-babe, Says it's mm babe, mm babe-babe-babe, Says this guy will treat you good, if you will listen at some things I say.   MAN, MAN, MAN Says I tried to love you woman, but you would not treat me good, Scott: Oh, man, man, man, man, man Says I tried to love you woman, but you would not treat me good, Scott: It’s oh, man, man, man 'Cause you treat me worser, anybody in my neighborhood. Scott: Oh man, man, man Says I'm gonna get a girl, (Scott: Yeah) that live good to me, Scott: Ain't that a mess Says I'm gonna get me a girl, that'll live good to me, Scott: Oh, man, man, man 'Cause you know these here women, they wanna let me be. Scott: Oh, man, man, man Said mm-hm baby, mm won't you treat me nice, Mm baby, baby won't you treat me nice, Scott: Oh, man, man, man I says I'm gonna ask you, please to be my wife. Scott: Oh, man, man, man You know it was early this mornin', baby 'bout a-four o'clock, Scott: It's oh man, man, man, man, man Says it's early this mornin', baby 'bout a-four o'clock, Scott: It's oh man, man, man You know my good girl done somethin', and I declare to God it sure wouldn't stop. Scott: Oh, man, man, man But you know I'm gon' sing this here verse, ain't gonna sing no more, Scott: Oh, man, man, man, man, man, man Said I'm gon' sing this verse, (Scott: You gotta play that thing man) ain't gon' sing no more, Scott: Oh, man, man, man Said you know if you'll she'll be mine, (Scott: uh-huh) I'll let these here other girls go. Scott: Oh, man, man, man Said take me back now baby, (Scott: babe) 'clare that-a I'll be good, Says take me back baby, 'clare babe that I'll be good, Scott: Oh, man, man, man, man, man Says I'll treat you better, than anybody in your neighborhood. Scott: Oh, man, man, man   MONEY TAKER WOMAN I says: "Hey woman, I wanna have a talk with you", I says: "Hey woman, I wanna have a talk with you", I says: "Now you done used my money, Lord what is you goin' to do"? Says now you ain't got no more money, you ain't bought a thing for yourself, Lord you ain't got no more money, ain't bought a thing for yourself, And I believe you taken my money, and given it to somebody else. Says don't but think because I'm blind, Lord and I cannot see, Eh because I'm blind, Lord and I cannot see, That you cannot take my money, and then make a fool out of me. I will be good to you woman, said if you will not make me mad, Says I will be good to you woman, Lord if you will not make me mad, You know if I catch you giving away my money, Lord it's gon' be too black bad. Says I done found out you don't want me, so's I'm gonna let you go, You don't want me, so's I'm gonna let you go, I'm gon' get me another woman, Lord that lives next door.   NO GOOD BIDDIE I took you down on the camp baby, you couldn't make a dime, I taken you down on the camps baby, you couldn't make a dime, You keep me worried, baby all the time. I put you in a house, baby way last fall, I put you in a house, baby way last fall, And you let a man stay there, baby for nothin' at all. Aside: Play it - - Play it I don't know what it is that, makes me love you so, I don't know what it is that, makes me love you so, When I'm where you at, I don't want to go. I come home this morning and, you was out and gone, I come home this morning, you was out and gone, You left a note on my table saying: "Papa I got your waters on". Aside: Play it man. You know that ain't nothing but a no-good biddie no-how   O. B. D. BLUES Boys I can't get nobody, Lord that will care for me, Boys I can't get nobody, Lord that will care for me, Says you know I can't think why, they scared of that old B. D. It was so dark last night, Lord I could not hardly see, It was so dark last night, people I could not hardly see, But you know I could hear people whisperin', Lord about that old B. D. So woman you leavin', I reckon I have to let you be, Eh you leavin', I guess I have to let you be, Because you done got tired, Lord of this here old B. D. The next woman I get, I'm gon' get her from Tennessee, The next woman I get, I'm gon' get her from Tennessee, Then I won't have to worry, 'bout this here old B. D. Boys I'm leavin', I'm gon' catch that old Sante Fe, Boys I'm leavin', I'm gon' catch that old Sante Fe, Says I'm goin' down in Floridy, where they uses that old B.D.   OVERALL BLUES Said it's mm baby, mm-mm baby oh, Says it's mm baby, mm-mm baby oh, Says you know and the way you treatin' me, you act like you don't want me round you no more. For your part woman, 'clare I done quit you now, I says for your part woman, 'clare I done quit you now, Just because I don't like no, evil woman no how. Says now-now woman, let's shake hand in hand, Says now-now-now woman, let's shake go hand in hand, Says you know I'm goin' back to my woman, you'd better get you a man. Well you know wearing overalls, sure is against my health, Mm baby, Lord say it is against my health, And says that mama, you'd better get you somebody else.   PENNILESS BLUES I've been blue all night: What is I'm gonna do? Eh-hey: What is I'm gonna do? You know the reason I'm that-a-way, Lord I'm broke and hungry too. You know my woman left me, Lord when I weren't feeling well, You know my woman left me, when I weren't feeling well, You know says livin' with that woman, Lord it is just like livin' in hell. I ain't got no money, not a penny can I show, I ain't got no money, not a penny can I show, And you know folks that's the reason, Lord that I'm worried so. You know I let that woman tote my money, Lord in a jomo sack, Lord I let that woman, tote my money in a jomo sack, And you know it's gonna be some hell raised, Lord if she don't bring some of my money back.   PIANO STOMP (Instrumental with spoken commentary by Sonny Scott) Ah, play it! Get right everybody Gonna have a jook here tonight Come here and roll a cigarette Pass another drink over here for the piano player 'Cause he's playing it solid. Sure as you born Play it man! Tell my wife come here I ain't seen her for a good while Shucks, now Look here gal, don't wobble this can over me But I do wants you to wobb' it Go out buddy, go out on a full rough   RED CROSS BLUES Said me and my good girl talked last night, me and her talked for hours, She wanted me to go to the Red Cross Store, and get a sack of that Red Cross flour, I told her: "No". Great Lord, said: "Woman I sure don't want to go", Say: "I have to go to Hill's 'cause I, got to go to that Red Cross Store". Say you know them Red Cross folks there they, sure do treat you mean, Don't want to give you nothin' but, two - three cans of beans, Now I told 'em: "No". Great Lord girl, said: "I don't want to go", I said: "You know I cannot go to Hill's, I'm got to go yonder to that Red Cross Store". But you know the governor done take it in charge now said he gon' treat, everybody right, He gon' give 'em two cans of beans now, and one little can of tripe, Now I told 'em: "No". Great Lord girl, says: "I don't want to go", "I think I better wait till I get a job and go to Hill's, 'cause other than that I've got to go to that Red Cross Store". Say you go up there early in the mornin', said he ask you: "Boy, how you feel?" Gettin' ready to give you a nickel's worth of rice and a, bag of that boultin' meal. Now I told him: "No". Great Lord girl, says: "I don't want to go", Says: "You know I cannot go to Hill's, I'm got to go yonder to that Red Cross Store". But you know say I got girl now says she gon', get herself a job, She gon' take care of me now, while the times is hard, And I told her: "Yes". Great Lord, "Then I won't have to go", I said: "When you get paid off we'll go to Hill's, I won't have to go to that Red Cross Store". But you know say a girl told me this mornin' that she loved me 'cause I, work two days a week, I told her I worked for the Red Cross, didn't get nothin' but somethin' to eat. She told me: "No". Great Lord, says: "Man I don't want to go", She said: "But are you is carryin' me to Hill's" says; I say: "I take you to that Red Cross Store".   RED CROSS BLUES No. 2 Say you know I had a dream last night that I, had never dreamt before, I dreamt about that head clerk, down in the Red Cross Store, And I told 'em: "No". Great Lord, says: "Girl, I can't go", Says: "I cannot go to Hill's, but I can go to the Red Cross Store". Said you know that woman I got now you know, she won't treat me right, Every time I go home now, she want to fuss and fight, Now I tell her: "No". Great Lord, "I can't go", Says: "You know I cannot go to Hill's, but I can take you to that Red Cross Store". Say you know they give you something to eat at the Red Cross you have to, go get it 'fore eleven, They done moved off of Seventeenth Street to Third Avenue, Thirteen-O-Seven. And I told 'em: "No". Great Lord, says: "Girl, I can't go", Says: "You know I cannot go to Hill's but I can, go to that Red Cross Store". Says I done told you once now says I'm, sure gon' tell you twice, Says I don't want you keep arguin' with me, about the Red Cross rice. And I told her: "No". Great Lord, "Girl I can't go", Say: "You know I cannot go to Hill's, but I can take you to that Red Cross Store". Say you know I'm gon' sing this here verse now and, I sure ain't gonna sing no more, ‘Cause my wife and children is hungry and I, 'spect I'm gonna have to go, And holler: "Oh, Great Lord I'm gon' have to go", Say: "You know I just well's to go home and get my crocus sack, go up yonder to that Red Cross Store". But you know there’s one thing it's certain is that, all these people see, The Red Cross don't give you every thing you want, they give some thing you need, And I told 'em: "No". Great Lord, says: "I can't go", Says: "You know I cannot go to Hill's, I've got to go to the Red Cross Store".   S. O. L. BLUES I don't want no woman, Lord that can't rob and steal, I don't want no woman, Lord can't rob and steal, Because when you get in trouble, she can't bring you a decent meal. My woman treat me so mean, 'til I'm ashamed to tell, My woman treat me so mean, Lord I'm 'shamed to tell, If she don't treat me no better, she goin' to be S. O. L. Woman, down by the old bull well, I cried woman, meet me down by the old bull well, If you don't be there, Lord it gon' be S. O. L. Next man you get, I hope you treat him swell, Next man you get, hope that you treat him swell, If you don't, your nappy head will be S. O. L. I can't tell you no more, because my tongue done swelled, Can't tell you no more, 'cause my tongue done swelled, But you'd better take a lesson from somebody; don't, you gonna be S. O. L.   SAIL ON LITTLE GIRL NO. 2 You can mistreat me here babe, but you can't when I go home, Mistreat me here, but you can't when I go home, Because I got somebody there, Lord will make you leave me alone. I give you all of my money, tell me what more can I do? Give you all of my money, what more can I do? Say you is a good little girl, Lord but you just won't be true. Sail on, sail on little girl sail on, Sail on, sail on little girl sail on, Say you gonna keep on sailin', 'til you lose your happy home. Remember baby, before you sail away, Remember baby ee-oo, just before you sail away, When you come back, you won't have no place to stay. You know you didn't want me baby when you, lay down 'cross my bed, Drinkin' your moonshine whiskey, talkin' out your head, You know you didn't want me, when you lay down 'cross my bed, And you know you was drinkin' your moonshine whiskey, Lord talkin out your head.   SCHOOL-BOY BLUES (16996-3) I says on one Monday mornin', Lord I was on my way to school, I says on one Monday mornin', Lord I was on my way to school, I says on that very mornin', Lord I broke my mama’ rule. Says I met a woman that mornin', and she made me throw my books away, Says I met a woman that mornin', and she made me throw my books away, Says I told her: "I may go tomorrow, but I sure ain't goin' today". Said that woman would play with me, just like I was a little toy, Eh-hey, just like I was a little old toy, And you know what ruined me so, she called me her little school-boy. Says my school days is all over, I can't spell my name, I says my school days is all over, I can't even spell my name, And old women was cause of it all, Lord ain't that a pity and a shame. Says people I'm gon' tell you, why that I worried so, I said people I'm gonna tell you, why that I'm worried so, Said that woman done quit me, and I can't go to school no more.   SCHOOL-BOY BLUES (17009-1) On one Monday mornin', I was on my way to school, I says on one Monday mornin', I was on my way to school, I say you know I met a forty year old woman, she made me break my mama's rule. Mama tried to send me to school, Lord I throwed my books away, Whoo, Lord I throwed my books away, I told her: "I may go tomorrow, Lord but I is not goin' today". You know says I got a Monday woman, Lord lives down on Fourth and Main, Eh-hey, Lord she lives down on Fourth and Main, And you know my Tuesday woman, Lord she gives me my spendin' change. You know my Wednesday woman, Lord she buys my rags and shoes, Lord my Wednesday woman, she buys my rags and shoes, And you know my Thursday woman, she the one give me them School-boy Blues. You know my Friday woman, she buys my whiskey and beer, Whoo, Lord she buys my whiskey and beer, But that Saturday woman said she gon' give me hell, Lord if she catch me here.   SCREW WORM I wish I could see a screw worm, see what a screw worm like, They tell me it is long, sure is big and fat, I'm talkin' about a screw worm: Lord what is a screw worm like? I'm got to learn what a screw worm is, before my good girl will take me back. Boys when you see him drillin', he's borin' his hole, He'll make you holler: "Doggone your screw wormin' soul", I'm talkin' 'bout a screw worm: Lord what is a screw worm like? Says I'm got to learn what a screw worm is, before my good girl will take me back. I said: "Folks, what is that yonder? Screw worm I suppose", But I'm gonna ask somebody, that already knows, I'm talkin' about a screw worm: Lord what is a screw worm like? Said you know I'm got to learn what a screw worm is, before my good girl will take me back. Boys when you learn what a screw worm is, I tell you what you must do, You just watch him bore his hole, and learn to be a screw worm too, I'm talkin' about a screw worm: Lord what is a screw worm like? Says you know I=m got to learn what a screw worm is, before my girl will take me back. I'm goin' lock up in my house, and there's where I'm gonna stay, Because I done got too old, to be botherin' screw worms this a-way, I'm talkin' about a screw worm: Lord what is a screw worm like? Said you know said I'm got to learn what it is, before my good girl will take me back.   SLAVIN’ BLUES Says you know I slaved for you woman, you know you would not care for me, You know says I slaved for you woman, and you know you would not care for me, And you know it's gon' be a funeral, if you don't let my money be. Say you asked me for a nickle, and I gived you just one lousy dime, Said you asked me for a nickle, you know and I gived you one lousy dime, And when some one ask you somethin', you swear you is not no gal of mine. Says I'm going to the Commissary, tell the clerk myself, Says you know I'm going to the Commissary, tell the clerk myself, Says you know says I'm gon' holler: "Clerk, don't let my good girl have nothin' else". Says the next time I get me a woman, I'm gon' get one that's old and grey, Mm I get me a woman, mm get one that's old and grey, So she can stay at home, and help drive my blues away. Says you know I ain't gonna give you no more money, ain't gon' buy you no more shoes, Mm no more money, ain't gon' buy you no more shoes, Until you learn to stay at home, and help me drive away the blues.   T MODEL BLUES Says it's mm baby, mm baby oo, Says it's mm baby, mm baby oo, Say you know you do not love me, like I say I love you. Say you know these here women, sure do treat me mean, Oo-oo these here women, sure do treat me mean, You know I asked one for a drink of water, she give me gasoline. Says mm baby, you won't do nothin' you say, Says mm baby, you won't do nothin' you say, You know you told me you loved me but what about that man, I see'd with you with the other day? [sic] These here women what call theirself a Cadillac, ought to be a T Model Ford, Say you know all the women what call theirself a Cadillac, ought to be a T Model Ford, You know they got the shape all right, but they can't carry no heavy load. Say you know I’m gonna sing this here verse now, ain't gon' sing no more, Say you know I’m gon' sing this here verse now, ain't gon' sing no more, 'Cause you know I’ve got to go home and give on my old lady 'cause, she won't come back no more.   TALKIN’ LOW BLUES You hear me knockin' baby, knockin' up on your door, Eh-hey, knockin' up on your door, And you know it was 'nother man was in there, 'cause I hear'd you talkin' low. I said boys don't try to give a woman, Lord every thing she need, I says boys don't try to give a woman, every thing she need, I says if you do you have to take the winter, Lord in your B. V. D. I says woman oh woman, you want me to be your man? Eh-hey, do you want me to be your man? I said you got to get you a job in the kitchen, Lord and bring home the pay. Just because I want you woman, Lord you mistreat poor me, I said just because I want you woman, Lord you mistreats poor me, I said you treats me so dirty, Lord I cries: "Nearer my God to thee". I says bye-bye baby, Lord I 's goin' on down the line, I says bye-bye baby, I'm goin' on down the line, And I say if you ever get in bad luck, Lord come by my house some time.   WHATCHA GONNA DO? Roland: Says look here girl, say you ain't treatin' me right Scott: No Roland: Go off now, and you stay all night, Now whatcha gon' do, now whatcha gon' do, Now whatcha gon' do, whatcha gonna do to poor me? Bogan: I don't love no man, and I hope I never will, This way of lovin' men, get good womens killed, Now whatcha gon' do, oh whatcha gon' do, Whatcha gon' do, baby whatcha gon' do? Scott: See here baby, won't treat me right, You wouldn't come home, sun was shining bright, Now whatcha gon' do, now whatcha gon' do, Now whatcha gon' do, whatcha gon' do to poor me? Roland: Says you know my woman says, she treats me good, Treats me better'n, anybody in the neighborhood, Now whatcha gon' do, now whatcha gon' do, Now whatcha gon' do, whatcha gonna do to poor me? Bogan: You went out last night, and you stayed all night, When you came home, your pants wasn't fittin' you right, Now whatcha gon' do, now whatcha gon' do, Whatcha gon' do, whatcha gon' do to poor me? Scott: Now you know old Papa Jack, so old and grey, He got more womens, than the farmer got hay, Now whatcha gon' do, now whatcha gon' do, Now whatcha gon' do, whatcha gon' do to poor me? Roland: Uncle John, says he grabbed Aunt Kate, You know what he's done, it sure wouldn't wait, Now whatcha gon' do, now whatcha gon' do, Now whatcha gon' do, whatcha gonna do to poor me? Bogan: It's one thing baby, I can't understand, I'm gon' tell you now, I got another man, Now whatcha gon' do, whatcha gon' do, Whatcha gon' do, whatcha gon' do to poor me? Scott: One day, when I stumbled and fell, Mouth flew open, just like a country well, Now whatcha gon' do, now whatcha gon' do, Now whatcha gon' do, whatcha gon' do to poor me?   WORN OUT MAN BLUES I done worked so hard baby, 'til I ain't no good at night, Done worked so hard baby, 'til I ain't no good at night, And you know I reckon that's the reason, my good girl won't treat me right. Folks I ain't never, had this kind of feelin' before, Folks I ain't never had, this kind of feelin' before, But you know if I ever get straight, I ain't gon' work that hard no more. Says I'm gon' get religion, goin' back and join the church, Lord I'm gon' get religion, goin' back and join the church, You know I'm gon' be a jack-leg preacher, Lord then I won't have to work. Next time I get a job, gonna get one on the A. T. & N., Next time I get a job, gon' get one on the A. T. & N., Where the women have to work, Lord just like the men. (Note: "A. T. & N." refers to the Alabama, Tennessee & Northern Railroad, which in 1913 had absorbed the Mobile Terminal & Railway Co. and the narrow-gauge Tombigbee Valley Railway. Subsequently the A. T. & N.'s main activity seems to have been to provide access, via its line from Aliceville to Mobile, to the Frisco Lines system. The A. T. & N. was later absorbed into the Burlington Northern system, successor to the C. B. & Q.)   YOU GONNA NEED ME Said you gon' need me, say you gon' need me some day Say you gon' need me, say you gon' need me some old day And I 'spect you'd better use me, baby before I go away Say you know, buy you a Hudson, woman you tell me you'll stay at home Say you know I’m gon' buy you a Hudson, if you tell me you will stay at home She says she could not do that now, since that Cadillac man done been there now you gone Say but you know I'm gonna stop my woman, from riding 'round in a Cadillac Eight Say but you know I'm gonna stop my woman, from riding 'round in a Cadillac Eight 'Cause every time she get to shiftin' them gears, you know I can't keep my woman straight 'Cause you know you gonna need me, mm you gon' need me again Says mm you gonna need me, says you sure gon' need me again But you know I is not got no time, and baby I is not gon' turn you away Say you see that little bitty house, says mama it's all painted in green Say you see that little bitty house, says mama it's all painted in green Say you know some of the best lookin' women stay there, says a poor man most ever seen But you know you gon' need me, say I know you gon' need me now Says I know you gon' need me, know you gon' need me now And I 'spect you'd better use me, baby and now anyhow   YOU GONNA WANT ME You gon' want me, you gon' want me when I'm gone, Say you gon' want me, say you gon' want me when I'm gone, Say you oughta have thought about that, baby before you done me wrong. Says when you get sick, and be lyin' down on your bed, When you get sick, and be lyin’ down on your bed, Says I want you remember, these words that I had to say. Said you mistreated me baby, say you mistreated me for another man, Say you mistreated me baby, say you mistreated me for another man, Aside by Bogan: Oh beat the blood out of 'em; beat the blood out of 'em boy. 'Cause I said I loved you, now you think I ought to take everything. You gon' want me, you gon' want me before I come home, Say you gonna want me, you gon' want me before I come home, But you gonna have to treat me better, or either leave me alone. When you hear me knockin', woman come runnin' to your door, When you hear me knockin', come runnin' to your door, 'Cause I done come back home, and I ain't gonna leave no more. {back to main page}