The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #104571   Message #2142749
Posted By: GUEST,Bob Coltman
06-Sep-07 - 04:58 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs
Subject: Lyr Add: SALTY DOG (Papa Charlie Jackson version)
Here's Salty Dog. The only transcription of this on the DT seems to be from a later recording, or an incomplete one. This, his first recording of the song, has lots more words. By the way, the common transcription "I don't wanta be yo' Annie doll" is not supported by this recording -- it's quite clearly "I don't wanta be your man at all."

SALTY DOG
By Papa Charlie Jackson, Paramount 12236, Chicago, c. August 1924.

Won't you let me be your salty dog,
I don't wanta be your man at all,
   Salty dog, you salty dog,
Lord, it ain't but the one thing grieve my mind,
All these browns and none is mine,
   Salty dog, mama, you salty dog.

Says, I'm goin' to the hoodoo to buy me a Hand*       ["Hand of Glory")
[Talkin' to the women, goin' to bless these men?]
   You salty dog ...

CHO: Why don't you let me be your salty dog,
          Don't wanta be yo' man a all, ... etc.

Now, [scaredest] I ever been in my life,
Uncle Bud like to caught me kissin' his wife ...
Says, ain't but the one thing {I'm] wantin' to see,
I wanta see the women kiss all over me ...

Say, little cat, big cat, [swingin' along? / swimmin' in the pond?]
Keep on talkin', gonna tell you a [wrong?]

Say, little fish, big fish, swimmin' in the water,
Come oon back here, man, and gimme my quarter,

Says, if you gonna be a man, be a man like this,
Save yo' money for a pick'ney* twist                  [piccaninny]

If you gonna be a man, be a man in full,
Hitch him to the wagon and make him pull,
      
Said, God made a woman, an' made her mighty funny,
Lips around her mouth, just sweet as any honey,