|
|
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1930-1931) (Document
DOCD-5029) & With
Kansas Joe (Blues Classics 13)
& Bumble
Bee (Indigo 2005),
copyright
notice
Come all you folks and start to walk, I'm fixing to start my
dozen1 talk
What you're thinking about ain't on my mind, that stuff you
got is the sorriest kind
Now you're a sorry mistreater, robber and a cheater
Slip you in the dozens, your papa and your cousin
Your mama do the lordy lord
Come all of you women's outta be in the can, out on the
corner stopping every man,
Hollering "Soap is a nickel and the towel is free, I'm
pigmeat, pappy, now who wants me?"
You's a old mistreater, robber and a cheater
Slip you in the dozens, your papa and your cousin
Your mama do the lordy lord
Now the funniest thing I ever seen, tom cat jumping on a
sewing machine
Sewing machine run so fast, took 99 stitches in his
yas, yas,
yas
Now he's a cruel mistreater, robber and a cheater
Slip you in the dozens, your papa and your cousin
Your mama do the lordy lord
Now I'm gonna tell you all about old man Bell, he can't see
but he sure can smell
Fish-man passed here the other day, hollering "Hey, pretty
mama, I'm going your way"
I know all about your pappy and your mammy,
your big fat sister and your little brother Sammy,
your auntie and your uncle and your ma's and pa's,
they all got drunk and showed their Santa Claus
Now they're all drunken mistreaters, robbers and a
cheaters
Slip you in the dozens, your papa and your cousin
Your mama do the lordy lord
__________
Note: dirty dozens, a very elaborate game traditionally
played by black boys, in which the participants insult each
other's relatives, especially their mothers. The object of
the game is to test emotional strength. The first person to
give in to anger is the loser.
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1930-1931) (Document
DOCD-5029) & With
Kansas Joe (Blues Classics 13)
& Blues Classics 13 - Memphis Minnie Vol. 2: Early
Recordings with "Kansas" Joe McCoy (), copyright
notice
I tell all you people, you can rest and eat1
You don't have to worry about cookin', go to North Memphis
cafe and eat
I tell all you people, you can rest and eat
Because the North Memphis cafe got everything that you
really need
I don't buy no wood, even buy no coal
I go to North Memphis cafe and eat and don't be a
dope2
I tell all you people, you can rest and eat
You don't have to worry about cookin', go to North Memphis
cafe and eat
I will tell y'all somethin', I don't change like the
wind
If you go to North Memphis cafe eat you'll go back again
I tell all you people, you can rest and eat
Because the North Memphis cafe got everything that you
really need
Now listen to me, good people, I don't aim to make you
mad
You go to North Memphis cafe and get somethin' you never
had
I tell all you people, you can rest and eat
Because the North Memphis cafe got everything that you
really need
__________
Note 1: instead of "rest and eat" it could be "rest at
ease";
Note 2: dope, a stupid person.
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of June 27, 1941
from Bumble
Bee (Indigo 2005),
copyright
notice
I was born in Louisiana, I was raised in Algiers
And everywhere I been, the peoples all say
Ain't nothing in rambling,
either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle
down
I first left home, I stopped in Tennessee
The peoples all begging, "Come and stay with me"
'Cause ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle
down
I was walking through the alley with my hand in my coat
The police start to shoot me, thought it was something I
stole
You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running
around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle
down
The peoples on the highway is walking and crying
Some is starving, some is dying
You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running
around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle
down
You may go to Hollywood and try to get on the screen
But I'm gonna stay right here and eat these old charity
beans
'Cause it ain't nothing in rambling, either running
around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle
down
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 3 (1931-1932) (Document
BDCD-6010), copyright
notice
One cold night, I was out in the frost and snow
One cold night, I was out in the frost and snow
I didn't have a penny, I couldn't find no place to go
Way, down the lane, I thought I see'd a fire
Way, down the lane, I thought I see'd a fire
'Fore I could make it there to warm my hands, the hobos
had put it out
I was so cold my feets was near about froze
I was so cold my feets was near about froze
And I didn't have a penny, I couldn't find no place to
go
I come to a house, I knocked up on the door
I come to a house, I knocked up on the door
They wouldn't accept my company because I didn't have on no
clothes
Hmmm, my feets was near about froze
Hmmm, my feets was near about froze
I didn't have a penny, I couldn't find no place to go
I looked and saw old lady standing in the door
I looked and saw old lady standing in the door
She said, "Come in, daughter, how in the world that you
trying to go?"
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1935-1941) (Document
BDCD-6009), copyright
notice
I dreamt a dream last night I never dreamt before
I dreamt a dream last night I never dreamt before
And when I woke up this morning, my trunk was setting
outdoors
I didn't have no money, I couldn't find me no place to
go
I didn't have no money, I couldn't find me no place to
go
So that left me and my trunk, (setting) out in the cold
That was me last night, hoo, hoo, you drove from your
door
That was me last night, hoo, hoo, you drove from your
door
Why you wouldn't let me in, the reason I sure don't know
So that left me out here wandering up and down this old
lonesome road
So that left me out here wandering up and down this old
lonesome road
I'm just wandering, wondering, which-away must I go
Hmmmmm, my feets are near about froze
Hmmmmm, my feets are near about froze
I've been to a many house this morning, and won't nobody
open the door
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1930-1931) (Document
DOCD-5029) & With
Kansas Joe (Blues Classics 13)
& Bumble
Bee (Indigo 2005),
copyright
notice
I got so many chickens, can't tell my roosters from my
hens
I got so many chickens, can't tell my roosters from my
hens
I got to go back now, and look 'em all over again
I found my rooster this morning by looking at his comb
I found my rooster this morning by looking at his comb
You can look out now, pullets1, it won't be
long
My hens all cackling, I can't find no eggs
My hens all cackling, I can't find no eggs
You ain't got no excuse now, pullets, ain't nothing in your
way
I'm gonna take this old hen, I'm go down to the doctor's
shop
I'm gonna take this old hen, I'm go down to the doctor's
shop
I don't see what's the matter with 'em, they won't bip a
bop
I done told you one time, papa, I don't want my chicken
meat
I done told you one time, papa, I don't want my chicken
meat
I don't want them banty's2 mixed up with my
dominiques3
Shoo, chickens, shoo, I don't want no banty's on my yard
Shoo, chickens, shoo, I don't want no banty's on my yard
I don't want them banty's mixed up with my Plymouth
Rocks
__________
Note 1: pullets, a hen of the domestic chicken less than a
year old;
Note 2: banty, a breed of domestic chicken;
Note 3: dominique, any of an American breed of domestic
chicken with a rose comb, yellow legs, and barred
plumage;
Note 4: Plymouth Rocks, any of an American breed of
medium-sized single-combed dual-purpose domestic
chicken.
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1935-1941) (Document
BDCD-6008), copyright
notice
Friend, you go to Helena,
stop on Cherry Street
Friend, you go to Helena, stop on Cherry Street
And just ask anybody to show you Reachin' Pete
He's the tallest man, walks on Cherry Street
He's the tallest man, walks on Cherry Street
And the baddest copper ever walked that beat
(spoken: Eh, let's go to town now, that's what I'm talking
about)
He met me one Sunday morning, just about the break of
day
He met me one Sunday morning, just about the break of
day
I was drinking my moonshine,
he made me throw my knife away
Well, he taken my partner down to the jail
Well, he taken my partner down to the jail
After he locked her up, he turned and went her bail
Reachin' Pete's all right, but his buddy1
Reachin' Pete's all right, but his buddy
Every time he meet you, he ready for plenty hell
(spoken: Look out, now, here comes Reachin' Pete and
Buzzell
Don't let 'em catch you, it'll be too bad, I'm telling
you
Ahw, shake it, that's what I'm talking about
Boys, you tired?
Shucks, I'll go a long time)
__________
Note 1: by buddy probably old Buzzell is meant.
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 3 (1931-1932) (Document
BDCD-6010), copyright
notice
Down in my old home town, put the irons on the stove
But I'm got to have a socket everywhere I go
I need a socket, oohhh, I need a socket
Babe, I've got to have a socket, if you want me to iron your
clothes
I got the clothes on the bed, all sprinkled down
I can't find no socket around, I need a socket
Babe, I've got to have a socket, if you want me to iron your
clothes
Well, the last socket I had, you throwed it out of doors
How in the world you expect for me to iron your clothes
I need a socket, oohhh, I need a socket
Babe, I've got to have a socket, if you want me to iron your
clothes
Well, the reason I love my baby and love him so
He carry me a socket everywhere he go
I need a socket, oohhh, I need a socket
Babe, I've got to have a socket, if you want me to iron your
clothes
I got an electric iron, I got plenty of steam
But a socket, now, is all in the world I need
I need a socket, oohhh, I need a socket
Babe, I've got to have a socket, if you want me to iron your
clothes
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 4 (1933-1934) Document
DOCD-5031), copyright
notice
This house is full of stinging snakes, crawling all in my
bed
This house is full of stinging snakes, crawling all in my
bed
I can't rest at night from them crawling all under my
head
I got up this morning, one stung me on my leg
I got up this morning, one stung me on my leg
I can't sleep at night because they keeps me awake
Hmmmmmm, wonder where my stinging snake gone?
Hmmmmmm, wonder where my stinging snake gone?
I can't see no peace since my stinging snake left me
home
I got a stinging snake, I love sometimes better than I do
myself
I got a stinging snake, I love sometimes better than I do
myself
If the Lord has to take him, I won't be stung by nobody
else
Hmmmmmm, where's my stinging snake now?
Hmmmmmm, where's my stinging snake now?
I believe to my soul, that my stinging snake's trying to put
me down
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1935-1941) (Document
BDCD-6008), copyright
notice
Sylvester went out on his lot, he looked at his
mule1
And he decided he send the President some news
Sylvester went out on his lot, and he looked at his mule
And he decided he send the President some news
Sylvester walked out across his field, begin to pray and
moan
He cried, "Oh, lord, believe I'm gonna lose my home"
Sylvester walked out across his field, begin to pray and
moan
He cried, "Oh, lord, believe I'm gonna lose my home"
(spoken: Play it, Dennis)
He thought about the President, he got on the wire
"If I lose my home, I believe I'll die"
He thought about the President, he got on the wire
"If I lose my home, I believe I'll die"
First time he called, he get him somebody else
"I don't want to talk to that man, I want to speak to Mr.
President Roosevelt
First time he called, he get him somebody else
"I don't want to talk to that man, I want to speak to Mr.
President Roosevelt
He said, "Now, Sylvester, you can rest at ease
catch that big, black jackass2 and go to the
field
He said, "Now, Sylvester, you can rest at ease
catch that big, black jackass and go to the field
__________
Note 1: mule, a hybrid between a horse and a donkey;
Note 2: jackass, male donkey.
Top
by Lucille Bogan
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 3 (1931-1932) (Document
BDCD-6010), copyright
notice
Times has done got hard, work done got scarce
Stealing and robbing is taking place
Because tricks1 ain't walking, tricks ain't
walking no more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I'm going to grab somebody if I don't make me some
dough
I'm going to do just like a blind man, stand and beg for
change
Tell these tricking policemen change my second name
Because tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no
more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I've got to make no money, I don't care where I go
I'm going to learn these walking tricks what it's all
about
I'm going to get them in my house and ain't going to let
them out
Because tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no
more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I can't make no money, I don't care where I go
I got up this morning with the rising sun
Been walking all day and I haven't caught a one
Because tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no
more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I can't make a dime, I don't care where I go
I got up this morning, feeling tough
I got to calling my tricks and it's rough, rough, rough
Because tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no
more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I have to change my luck if I have to move next door
__________
Note: just like Hustlin'
Woman Blues, and You
Can't Give It Away this another song about
prostitution;
Note 1: trick, a sexual act performed by a prostitute.
Top
|
Wants
Cake When I'm Hungry
|
|
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 3 (1935-1941) (Document
BDCD-6010), copyright
notice
I wants cake when I'm hungry, "lightnin' " when I'm dry
I wants cake when I'm hungry, "lightnin' " when I'm dry
And some good man to love me, and heaven when I die
Don't nobody want you when you're stumbling all alone
Don't nobody want you when you're stumbling all alone
You can find anything that'll wreck your happy home
I was up this morning, going from door to door
I was up this morning, going from door to door
Just sitting down wondering which away did my good man
go
How a man expects for a woman to do right when he won't do
right himself?
How a man expects for a woman to do right when he won't do
right himself?
Well, it ain't no woman don't get tired of staying home all
the time by herself
Call me, baby, call me around about 3
Call me, baby, call me around about 3
I'm having chills and fever and the doggone jinx
got me
Top
|
What
Fault You Find Of Me? (Part 1)
|
|
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 1930
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1929-1930) (Document
5028), copyright
notice
KJ:
Worked all summer and I worked all fall
Had take my Christmas in my overalls
Now I've got tired the way you treated me
And I believe I'll go now, back to my used to be
MM:
Well, you know I love you baby, I can't help myself
I'd rather be with you than anyone else
Lord, tell me baby, what fault you find of me?
Ah, that you want to quit me, baby, for your old time used
to be
U:
When I had you, wouldn't treat me right
Stay out from me both day and night
Now I've got tired the way you treated me
And I believe I'll go now, back to my used to be
MM:
I been wondering, I been wondering, I can't see to save my
life
How come we can't get along like man and wife
Now I've got tired the way you treated me
And I believe I'll go now, back to my used to be
KJ:
Went to your house about half past ten
Knocked on your door, you wouldn't let me in
I've got tired the way you treated me
And I believe I'll go now, back to my used to be
__________
Note: KJ is Kansas Joe and MM is Memphis Minnie.
Top
|
What
Fault You Find Of Me? (Part 2)
|
|
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 1930
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1929-1930) (Document
5028), copyright
notice
MM:
I wouldn't mind being your hopping frog
Drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log
Now I've got tired the way you treated me
And I believe I'll go now, back to my used to be
KJ:
One thing certainly can't understand
Cornbread for me and biscuits for your man
Now I've got tired the way you treated me
And I believe I'll go now, back to my used to be
MM:
You know I been begging you so long. so long
Quit your foolishness, bring your clothes back home
Now I've got tired the way you treated me
And I believe I'll go now, back to my used to be
KJ:
Before I got you, I had my diamonds on
Now I got you, they all in pawn
Now I've got tired the way you treated me
And I believe I'll go now, back to my used to be
MM:
If I could holler like a mountain jack
Go up on the mountain, call them diamonds back
Now I've got tired the way you treated me
And I believe I'll go now, back to my used to be
__________
Note: KJ is Kansas Joe and MM is Memphis Minnie.
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1930-1931) (Document
DOCD-5029) & With
Kansas Joe (Blues Classics 13)
& Bumble
Bee (Indigo 2005),
copyright
notice
KJ:
(spoken:
Say Minnie!
Where you going?
MM:
(spoken:
What you want, Kansas Joe?
I'm going to the mill; what do you think?
Have my corn ground
KJ:
For what?
Ahw, that old mill is done broke down
I'm just from down there
MM:
How do you know?
Ahw, and it broke you down
KJ:
Ahw, no, I went to get my corn ground
It done broke down
Yeah, it done broke down)
MM:
What's the matter with the mill?
Done broke down?)
MM:
Can't get no grinding, tell me what's the matter with the
mill
Well, I had a little corn, I put it in a sack
Brought it to the mill and come right back
What's the matter with the mill?
What's the matter with the mill?
I can't get no grinding
Tell me what's the matter with the mill
KJ:
It done broke down
It done broke down
MM:
(spoken: Ahw, grind it)
Now listen here folks, I don't want no stuff
You can't bring me my meal, bring me the
husks1
What's the matter with the mill?
What's the matter with the mill?
I can't get no grinding
Tell me what's the matter with the mill
KJ:
It done broke down
It done broke down
MM:
Well, my papa sat and cried, my brother did, too
They both been to the mill, they can't get nothing to do
What's the matter with the mill?
What's the matter with the mill?
I can't get no grinding
Tell me what's the matter with the mill
KJ:
It done broke down
It done broke down
Now listen here folks, I want you to bear this in mind
If you're going to the mill, you're just losing time
What's the matter with the mill?
What's the matter with the mill?
I can't get no grinding
Tell me what's the matter with the mill
KJ:
It done broke down
It done broke down
(spoken: Aww, grind it again)
__________
Note: in symbolic language the mill signifies the female
sexual organs, the man is the miller, grinding a woman is
having sex and the ground grain is the child, the meal;
Note 1: husks, a usually dry or membranous outer covering
(as a pod or hull or one composed of bracts) of various
seeds and fruits, in this case corn.
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 1929
from, copyright
notice
If it keeps on rainin', levee's1 goin' to
break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
And the water gonna come in, have no place to stay
Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan
Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan
Thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
And all these people have no place to stay
Now look here mama what am I to do
Now look here mama what am I to do
I ain't got nobody to tell my troubles to
I works on the levee mama both night and day
I works on the levee mama both night and day
I ain't got nobody, keep the water away
Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to lose
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I works on the levee, mama both night and day
I works so hard, to keep the water away
I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me
I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me
I'm goin' back to my used to be
I's a mean old levee, cause me to weep and moan
I's a mean old levee, cause me to weep and moan
Gonna leave my baby, and my happy home
__________
Note 1: origin: from the old French word levée, act
of raising, from lever to raise. An embankment for
preventing flooding, or a river landing place, also, a
continuous dike or ridge (as of earth) for confining the
irrigation areas of land to be flooded. A levee camp
therefore is a work camp for building or improving dikes to
prevent rivers from flooding the land, primarily in the
Mississippi
Delta area.
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from, copyright
notice
It's a cold, cold morning, I was out in the rain and
snow
It's a cold, cold morning, I was out in the rain and
snow
Yes, in a world of trouble, I couldn't find no place to
go
The wind was blowing and the rain began to freeze
The wind was blowing and the rain began to freeze
So much of trouble, Lord, have mercy on me
Standing on the corner, my friends all was passing by
Standing on the corner, my friends all was passing by
Well, I cried so much, Lord, I didn't have no tears to
dry
My brother, he's in trouble, my dad he just broke jail
My man, he's in trouble, and the law is on his trail
It's a cold, cold morning, and I'm out in the rain and
snow
Yes, in a world of trouble, I had no place to go
Top
by Memphis
Minnie
recording of 19
from Complete
Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1935-1941) (Document
BDCD-6008), copyright
notice
What is that you're going around here trying so sell?
It'ain't good to eat, you know, it ain't good to smell
Don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
You can't even give it away
First time I met you had that meat in your hand
Going to give it to some woman's man
Ah, don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
You can't even give it away
(spoken: Play it, Dennis, tell all about it)
You got something you can't sell and you can't give away
You just as well to take it on back where you stay
Ah, don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
You can't even give it away
And don't let me catch you trying to give it to my man
If you do, I'm gonna raise a pain, I doggone can
Don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
You can't even give it away
(spoken: Play it Dennis, tell all about it, boy)
Look-a here, black gal, why don't you get off the line?
What you trying to sell, it ain't nobody buying
Don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
Don't nobody want it
You can't even give it away
__________
Note: just like Hustlin'
Woman Blues and Tricks
Ain't Walking No More this another song about
prostitution.
Top
|
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