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FFree Blues MP3!E Internet Blues RadioE Blues History Blues Language Lyrics by Artist Lyrics by Title Lyrics by Topic Top 100 Lyrics Sites Tabs & Chords Top 100 Tab Sites Lyrics&Tabs Wanted! Essential Blues CD's Essential Blues Books Message Board Chat Room Blues Musician Ad's Links Site Map The Awards Page About... alternate navigation menu ![[Robert Johnson]](../photographs/robert_johnson_2.jpg)   - statistics - 
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All lyrics on this site are for private study, scholarship, or research purposes only. Read the copyright notice before printing/copying anything from this page. 
about...
printingback to the Robert Johnson index page
Given Robert Johnson's pronunciation and the quality of
the recordings, it's often hard to tell what exactly he's
singing. I've consulted several sources on Robert Johnson's'
songs, on the internet as well as in printed and published
form such as songbooks and I had to come to the conclusion
that the dead right and certain transcription of a
song probably doesn't exist or there is no way to be sure
which one it is. So if you're looking for certified
exact transcriptions, wander on blues boy or gal because
you won't find them here. What you will find however, is
transcriptions that I think are (most likely to be) correct
and in many occasions alternative word(s) or phrases for a
specific part of the song. Finally, for some songs you'll
find bits and pieces of interesting background information,
enjoy !.
by Robert Johnson recording of 1st of 5 sessions, November 23 1936, San Antonio, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice I got a kindhearted woman, do anything in this world for me I got a kindhearted woman, do anything in this world for me But these evil-hearted women, man, they will not let me be I love my baby, my baby don't love me I love my baby, ooooh, my baby don't love me But I really love that woman, can't stand to leave her be Ain't but the one thing, makes Mister Johnson drink1 I's worried about2 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 Mister So-and-So's name She's a kindhearted woman, she studies evil all the time She's a kindhearted woman, she studies evil all the time You well's to kill me, as to have it on your mind __________ Note 1: alternatively "dream" instead of "drink" Note 2: alternatively "I swear by" instead of "I's worried about" Note 3: a dialectic contraction of "had just as well", still in comon usage
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by Robert Johnson recording of 1st of 5 sessions, November 23 1936, San Antonio, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice I got a kindhearted mama, do anything in this world for me I got a kindhearted mama, do anything in this world for me But these evil-hearted women, man, they will not let me be I love my baby, my baby don't love me I love my baby, ooooh, 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 drink1 I get's worried2 about 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 Mister So-and-So's name She's a kindhearted mama, she studies evil all the time She's a kindhearted woman, but she studies evil all the time You well's3 to kill me, as to have it on your mind Some day, some day, I would shake your hand goodbye Some day, some day, I would shake your hand goodbye I can't give you anymore of my lovin', 'cause I just ain't satisfied __________ Note 1: alternatively "dream" instead of "drink" Note 2: alternatively "I's worried" instead of "I get's worried" Note 3: a dialectic contraction of "had just as well", still in comon usage
by Robert Johnson recording of 5th of 5 sessions, June 20 1937, Dallas, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice Now, she is a little queen of spades, and the men will not let her be Mmm mmm, she is the little queen of spades, and the men will not let her be Everytime she makes a spread, hoo, fair brown, cold chill just runs all over me I'm gon' get me a gamblin' woman, if it's the last thing that I do Eee hee eee, gon' get me a gamblin' woman, if it's the last thing that I do Well, a man don't need a woman, hoo, fair brown, that he got to give all his money to Everybody say she got a mojo, now, she's been usin' that stuff Mmmm, mmmm, everybody says she got a mojo, 'cause she been usin' that stuff But she got a way trimmin'1 down, hoo, fair brown, and I mean it's most too tough Now little girl, since I am the king, baby, and you is a queen Ooo eee, since I am the king baby, and you is a queen Let's us put our heads together, hoo, fair brown, then we can make our money green _________ Note 1: alternatively "tremblin' " instead of "trimmin' "
by Robert Johnson recording of 5th of 5 sessions, June 20 1937, Dallas, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice Mmm, she is a little queen of spades, and the men will not let her be Hoo ooo ooh, she is the little queen of spades, and the men will not let her be Everytime she makes a spread, hoo, cold chill just runs all over me Well, I'm gon' get me a gamblin' woman, if its the last thing that I do Ooh hoo eee, gon' get me a gamblin' woman, if its the last thing that I do A man don't need a woman, hoo, fair brown, he got to give all of his money to Well1 everybody say she got a mojo, baby, you've been usin' that stuff Hmm hmm hmm, everybody say she got a mojo, 'cause she been usin' that stuff She got a way trimmin'2 down, hoo we', babe, and I mean it's most too tough Well, well, little girl, since I am the king, fair brown, and you is a queen Hoo ooh ooe, since I am the king, baby, and you is a queen Let's we put our heads together, hoo, fair brown, then we can make our money green _________ Note 1: alternatively "and" instead of "well" Note 2: alternatively "tremblin' " instead of "trimmin' "
by Robert Johnson recording of 5th of 5 sessions, June 20 1937, Dallas, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice (Spoken: I wanna go with our next one myself) And I followed her to the station, with a1 suitcase in my hand And I followed her to the station, with a1 suitcase in my hand Well, it's hard to tell, it's hard to tell, when all your love's in vain All my love's in vain When the train rolled up to the station, I looked her in the eye When the train rolled up to the station, and I looked her in the eye Well, I was lonesome, I felt so lonesome, and I could not help but cry All my love's in vain When the train, it left the station, with two lights on behind When the train, it left the station, with two lights on behind Well, the blue light was my blues, and the red light was my mind All my love's in vain Ou hou ou ou ou, hoo, Willie Mae Oh oh oh oh oh hey, hoo, Willie Mae Ou ou ou ou ou ou hee vee oh woe All my love's in vain __________ Note 1: alternatively "her" instead of "a"
by Robert Johnson recording of 4th of 5 sessions, June 20 1937, Dallas, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice And I followed her to the station, with my1 suitcase in my hand And I followed her to the station, with my1 suitcase in my hand Well, it's hard to tell, it's hard to tell, when all your love's in vain All my love's in vain When the train rolled up to the station, I looked her in the eye When the train rolled up to the station, and I looked her in the eye Well, I was lonesome, I felt so lonesome, and I could not help but cry All my love's in vain When the train, it left the station, with two lights on behind When the train, it left the station, with two lights on behind Well, the blue light was my blues, and the red light was my mind All my love's in vain Ou hou ou ou ou, hoo, Willie Mae Oh oh oh oh oh hey, hoo, Willie Mae Ou ou ou ou ou ou hee vee oh woe All my love's in vain __________ Note 1: alternatively "a" instead of "my"
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![[Robert Johnson memorial, Mt. Zion, Greenwood, Mississippi]](../photographs/robert_johnson_mt_zion_memorial_greenwood_mississippi.jpg)
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by Robert Johnson recording of 5th of 5 sessions, June 20 1937, Dallas, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice I keep drinkin' malted milk1, try'n to drive my blues away I keep drinkin' malted milk, try'n to drive my blues away Baby, you just as welcome to my lovin', as the flowers is in May Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushin' to my head Malted milk, malted milk, keep rushin' to my head And I have a funny, funny feelin', and I'm talkin' all out my head Baby, fix me one more drink, and hug your daddy one more time Baby, fix me one more drink, and hug your daddy one more time Keep on stirrin' my malted milk mama, until I change my mind My door knob keeps on turnin', it must be spooks around my bed My door knob keeps on turnin', must be spooks around my bed I have a warm, old feelin', and the hair risin' on my head __________ Note 1: malted milk, a variation of a milk shake only you add a spoonful of malt, an extra ingrediant that gives it an additional malted flavor. Thanks to Jimmy See, soda "jerk" by confession. Malt is a wheat byproduct, grain (as barley) softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling. See also this discussion.
by Robert Johnson recording of 5th of sessions, June 20 1937, Dallas, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice Early this mornin', when you knocked upon my door Early this mornin', ooh, when you knocked upon my door And I said, "Hello, Satan, I believe it's time to go" Me and the devil, was walkin' side by side Me and the devil, ooh, was walkin' side by side And I'm goin' to beat my woman, until I get satisfied She say you don't see why, that you will dog me 'round (spoken: Now, babe, you know you ain't doin' me right, don'cha) She say you don't see why, ooh, that you will dog me 'round It must-a be that old evil spirit, so deep down in the ground You may bury my body, down by the highway side (spoken: Baby, I don't care where you bury my body when I'm dead and gone) You may bury my body, ooh, down by the highway side So my old evil spirit, can catch a Greyhound bus and ride
by Robert Johnson recording of 5th of 5 sessions, June 20 1937, Dallas, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice Early this mornin', when you knocked upon my door Early this mornin', ooh, when you knocked upon my door And I said, "hello, satan, I believe it's time to go" Me and the devil, was walkin' side by side Me and the devil, ooh, was walkin' side by side I'm goin' to beat my woman, until I get satisfied She say you don't see why, that I will dog her 'round (spoken: Now, baby, you know you ain't doin' me right, now) She say you don't see why, ooh, that I will dog her 'round It must-a be that old evil spirit, so deep down in the ground You may bury my body, down by the highway side (spoken: Baby, I don't care where you bury my body when I'm dead and gone) You may bury my body, ooh, down by the highway side So my old evil spirit, can get a Greyhound bus and ride
by Robert Johnson recording of 5th of 5 sessions, June 20 1937, Dallas, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice Tell me, milk cow, what on earth is wrong with you? Tell me, milk cow, what on earth is wrong with you? Well, well, you have a new calf, hoo hoo, and your milk is turnin' blue Your calf is hungry, and I believe he needs a suck (spoken: Now, you know that calf done got hungry) Your calf is hungry, and I believe he needs a suck Well, now, but the milk is turnin' blue, hoo hoo, and I believe he's outta luck Now I feel like milkin' and my, cow won't come I feel like churnin' it and my, milk won't turn I'm cryin' plea-hease, please, don't do me wrong You can give-a right milk and butter, now, baby, you-hoo, will stay at home My milk cow been ramblin', hoo hoo, for miles around My milk cow been ramblin', hoo hoo, for miles around She been troublin' some other bull cow, hoo hoo Lord, in this man's town __________ Note: this song is probably derived form Kokomo Arnold's first release and very popular song Milk Cow Blues, recorded in 1934.
by Robert Johnson recording of 5th of 5 sessions, June 20 1937, Dallas, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice Tell me, milk cow, what on earth is wrong with you? Ooo ooo eee, milk cow, what on earth is wrong with you? Now, you have a little calf, hoo hoo, and your milk is turnin' blue Now, your calf is hungry, I believe he needs a suck Now, your calf is hungry, hoo hoo, I believe he needs a suck But your milk is turnin' blue, hoo hoo, I believe he's outta luck Now, I feel like milkin' and my, cow won't come I feel like churnin' it and my, milk won't turn I'm cryin', please, please, don't do me wrong If you see my milk cow, baby, now-how, please, drive her home My milk cow been ramblin', hoo hee, for miles around My milk cow been ramblin', hoo hoo, for miles around Well, now, can you suck on some other man's bull cow, hoo hoo, in this strange man's town
by Robert Johnson recording of 1st of 5 sessions, November 23 1936, San Antonio, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice 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 have broke my windin' chain Beatrice, I love my phonograph, ooh, honey, you have broke my windin' chain And you've taken my lovin', and give it to your other man Now, we played it on the sofa, now, we played it 'side the wall My needles have got rusty, baby, they will not play at all We played it on the sofa, and we played it 'side the wall But 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 cra'eeh, honey, I will lose my mind Why'n't1 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 __________ Note 1: alternatively "won't" instead of "why'n't", as a contraction of "why don't"
by Robert Johnson recording of 1st of 5 sessions, November 23 1936, San Antonio, Texas from The Complete Recordings (CBS 467246 2 & Columbia/Legacy C2K-46222 & Columbia 4622 & Sony 64916), copyright notice Beatrice got a phonograph, and it won't say a lonesome word Beatrice got a phonograph, and 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 And 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 love my phonograph mmm, babe and I'm bound to lose my mind Beatrice, I love my phonograph, and I'm 'bout to lose my mind Why'n't1 you bring your clothes back home, baby, and try me one more time 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 __________ Note 1: alternatively "won't" instead of "why'n't", as a contraction of "why don't"
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