The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #106864   Message #2211325
Posted By: Roberto
08-Dec-07 - 11:35 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: J.C. Holmes Blues (Bessie Smith)
Subject: Lyr Req: Bessie Smith's J.C. Holmes
Please, someome to check if this transcription is OK. Most doubts about the fourth stanza... R

Listen, people, if you want to hear
A story told about a brave engineer
J.C. Holmes was the rider's name
A heavyweight, women, with a mighty fame

J. C. said with a smile so fine
Woman gets tired of one man all the time
Get two or three if you have to hide
If the train go an' leave you got a few to ride

In the second cabin said Miss Hattie Brown
Goin' to ride with Mr. J. C. or die
I ain' good lookin' an' I don't dress fine
But I'm a travellin' woman with a travellin' mind

Just as the conductor of an all aboard
In the corner said we got our load
Look-a-here, son, we ought to been gone
I feel like ridin' if it's all night long

J.C. said just before he died
Two more roads he wanted to ride
Everybody wondered what road it could be
He said the Southern Pacific an' the Santa Fe

J. C. said I don't feel right
I saw my girl with a man last night
Soon as I get enough things just right
I been mistreated an' don't min' dyin'