The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #21086   Message #4217526
Posted By: Pappy Fiddle
18-Feb-25 - 09:12 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Hesitation Blues
Subject: RE: Origins: Hesitation Blues
The words about the Duck & the whiskey are in
Sprout Wings and Fly / Drunkard's Hiccups
Somebody recorded Tommy Jarrell performing it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDJPnG3RDxU

Some of the many lyrics:

If the ocean was whiskey, and I was a duck
I'd dive to the bottom, oh Lord, and never come up.

Now the ocean ain't whiskey, and I ain't no duck
Just play these drunk hiccups, and trust to my luck.

Corn whiskey and purty women they've been my downfall
They beat me and a-bang me but I love them for all.

My shoes is all tore up, my toes a-stickin out
If I don't get some corn whiskey, I'm goin' up the spout.

Gonna eat when I'm hungry, gonna drink when I'm dry,
If I get to feeling much better, I'm a-gonna sprout wings and fly.

Jack of diamonds, jack of diamonds, I've known you from old
You've robbed my poor pockets of silver and gold.

I've played cards in England, I've gambled in Spain
Goin back to Carolina, gonna play my last game

Gonna take down my fiddle, gonna rosin up the bow
Gonna make myself welcome, wherever I go

Gonna drink, gonna gamble, all my money is my own
Them that don't like me, can leave me alone

Gonna beat on the counter, gonna make the glass ring
More brandy, more brandy, more brandy to bring.