Lyr Req: Why Not Why (Morton Werac)

Subject: Lyr Req: Why Not Why (Morton Werac)
From: GUEST,profP
Date: 19 May 24 - 03:34 AM

I am working on a Jelly Roll Morton song called 'Why' or 'Why Not Why'.
Most of the lyrics are available on the web, but there is a small verse on this version: https://youtu.be/z-MFA5Izrrc?si=_gpfTKY_0VGJHLOo
Beginning at 1m24s there are two lines of lyrics:
Honey there is something, that I must know
If you could ?? My feeling ??
If anybody could help me out it would be great!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Why Not Why (Morton Werac)
From: Helen
Date: 19 May 24 - 04:30 AM

If you could "ease"?? my feelings - "for" or maybe "off"??

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Why Not Why (Morton Werac)
From: GUEST
Date: 19 May 24 - 12:42 PM

Thank you. I hope the singer uses proper English. Maybe I will write my own version. A good way to practise my knowledge of English.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Why Not Why (Morton Werac)
From: Helen
Date: 19 May 24 - 03:45 PM

My first thought was "ease off", in the phrase "if you could ease my feelings off" and a search shows that the term appears in a lot of reputable dictionaries e.g. the Cambridge Dictionary ease up/off

I might be wrong about the words. Someone else may have a different interpretation.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Why Not Why (Morton Werac)
From: Prof Peter
Date: 21 May 24 - 11:15 AM

It sounds logic. Next step is finding out the chords. Thanks for the help!,

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Why Not Why (Morton Werac)
From: Helen
Date: 21 May 24 - 12:44 PM

Thanks Prof Peter and welcome to the Mudcat community. There are a lot of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable people here.

My personal opinion on whether to change the lyrics is that I would respect the original writer/performer. Jelly Roll Morton was probably writing lyrics which reflected the language he heard and said in real life at the time and in the place where he lived. There are many variations of English language spoken around the world and I think that makes it more interesting.

That's just my opinion. You can make your own decisions of course. :-)

Subject: ADD Why (from Jelly Roll Morton)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 May 24 - 07:29 PM

Here's my transcription. Not perfect, but I think it's pretty good.

WHY
(from Jelly Roll Morton)

Honey, there's one thing that I must know,
If you could ease my feelings, 'cause....

Why, oh, won't you kindly tell me why you always leave me high and dry
And give all the other boys at-tention, dear,
You know I want you near me, oh hear me,
You could be so awfully pleasing if you stopped your teasing
If you do, I'll be true, through and through.

Why are you so captivating? Why are you so aggravating? And,
Poor me, must I keep on waiting, please?
You know there's lots of kissing we're missing
I would like to hear you say those words to the parson
Why don't you, honey won't you tell me why?

---

I found lyrics and chords here: https://www.doctoruke.com/whyjelly.pdf
I'll try to copy-paste it, but it won't turn out perfectly here.

  Intro: | D7 | G7 | C | G7 |
   C E7 Am
   Why, won't you kindly tell me why you always leave me high and dry
   Why are you so captivating? Why are you so aggravating? And,
  
   C7
   And give all the other boys at-tention, dear,
   Poor me, must I keep on waiting patiently
   F E7
   You know I want you near me, hear me,
   You know there's lots of kissing we're missing
   Am A7
   You'd be so awfully pleasing if you stopped your teasing
   I would like to hear you say the words that you once whispered
   D7 G#7 G7 G7+
   1. If you do, I'll be true, through and through. (2nd verse)
   D7 G7 C G7
   2. Oh, why don't you tell me why?
  
  
   Interlude: First 2 lines of verse
   F E7
   You know there's lots of kissing we're missing
   Am A7
   You'd be so awfully pleasing if you stopped your teasing
  
   D7 G7 C A7 D7 G7 C C6
   Oh, why don't you tell me why? Oh, why don't you tell me why?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Why Not Why (Morton Werac)
From: Prof Peter
Date: 25 May 24 - 04:30 AM

Thank you all! As a uke player I know drUke and his great website well. I am happy to find good information on websites like that and of course on mudcat. Such grat community!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Why Not Why (Morton Werac)
From: Helen
Date: 25 May 24 - 04:41 AM

Well done, Joe!

I must have been listening with my Australian ears and your American ears did better than me - the word was 'cause [because] and not off. That makes more sense.