Joe Turner Blues
Music by W.C. Handy; lyrics by Walter Hirsh
For a recording: Click here
Piano Score: Original Key Bb; Recorded in the Key of G
Traditional Blues Progression: GCGGCCGGDDGG

You'll never miss the water 'till your well runs dry,
'Till your well runs dry,
You'll never miss Joe Turner
'Till he says, "good-bye."

I'm gonna leave you baby, and the time ain't long,
No the time ain't long,
If you don't think I'm leaving,
Count the days I'm gone.

I bought a bulldog for to, watch you while you sleep,
Guard you while you sleep,
I'm goin' to the river,
'Cause the river's deep.

You never 'preciate the little things I do,
Not one thing I do,
An' that's the very reason,
Why I'm leavin' you.

Sometimes I feel like nothin', somethin' throwed away
Somethin' throwed away.
An' then I get my banjo,
Play the blues all day.

You're just a mean high yella, so we has to part,
Now we has to part,
You're just a mean high yella,
You ain't got no heart.

It seems every day babe, you are getting' worse,
Yes, you are getting' worse,
You've got a rich man's ideas,
*And a poor man's purse.

I'm going to hop a freight train, and I'm goin' to roam,
Yes, I'm goin' to roam,
I'm goin' to get the things,
I can't get at home.

(repeat 1st verse)

*I sing, "but I've got a poor man's purse."

Notes: I found this in one of my grandfather's books, no cover page or date. It's a remake of W.C. Handy's "Joe Turner Blues." >Since there aren't many versions in the DT, I thought I'd add this and do an MP3 file of it for people to use. This is just a rough recording with no rehearsal, just guitar and vocal. I do sing the melody as written.

Maybe we could have some mudcatters record versions of some of the songs in the DT that have no MP3 files. Or maybe they could be done with vocals. What do you think?

-Richie