An antecedent of Brownie McGhee's version (see above).


WHO DID YOU GIVE MY BARBECUE TO?
As recorded by Big Boy Teddy Edwards, 1934.

PART 1 (Matrix 80605)

Down ... my tears come down like rain.
Honey, down in … my tears come down like rain.
Deep down, my baby, there lies an achin' pain.

I cooked your dinner, brought to your bed,
I taken a comb, combed your head.
Nighttime come, baby, rock you to sleep,
Wake up in the mornin' wash your feet.
Now tell me, good baby: who'd you give my barbecue to?

I'm a poor, poor boy, long, long way from home.
I'm a poor boy, long, long ways from home.
Now don't dog me, baby; Lord, don't do me wrong.

I love your mama, your papa too.
I love your sister; your brother won't do.
You got Aunt(?) ... livin' on the road.
Used to love that woman; don't love her no mo'.
Now tell me, good baby: who'd you give my barbecue to?

[2 scat lines]
And I love you mama, Lord, but I don't love your ways.

When I'm dead, baby, in my grave,
Tell me, mama: who'll take my place?
Talkin' 'bout your sweet man, live down the street.
Claim he's so nice, so doggone neat.
Now tell me, good mama: just who'd you give my barbecue to?

PART 2 (Matrix 80606)

Well, I did all I could, mama, to get along with you.
I did all I could, baby, to get along with you.
And you treat me low-down an' dirty; baby, that's the way you do.

I bought your pepper; I bought your salt.
I went and slaved(?), baby, [in] my overalls.
Come back home, sign on the door
Say: "That barbecue, don't give it away no more."
Now tell me, good baby: who's you givin' my barbecue to?

[2 scat lines]
And I love you mama, ah, but I don't love your ways.

Barbecue chicken, barbecue ham,
Barbecue beef, barbecue lamb—
When you fix a table for me,
Give me them plain ... let 'em be free.
Now tell me, good baby: who'd you give my barbecue to?

I told you mama; ain't gon' tell you no mo'.
Told you, mama; ain't gon' tell you no mo'
Till I have my barbecue, baby, ev'rywhere you go.

When I's a boy, in my prime,
Get my barbecue any time.
Now I'm old; my bones is cold.
[Can't] get my barbecue, go an' lose my soul.
Now tell me, good baby: who'd you give my barbecue to?


Washboard Sam also recorded a version of this song, which he called "Barbecue."