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Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly)
DigiTrad:
WHOA BACK BUCK
WHOA BACK BUCK (2)
Related thread:
Lyr Req: 'Other' Ox Driving Song (25)
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Subject: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: Max Date: 25 Aug 97 - 03:26 PM I'll be damned if I can understand him and I can't find them anywhere. Click for related thread |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA BACK BUCK (Leadbelly)^^ From: Barry Finn Date: 25 Aug 97 - 07:11 PM Max, let me know if this might be the one. Whoa, back, Buck, git over Paul Good luck & thanks for all Max. Barry
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: Max Date: 26 Aug 97 - 10:29 PM Yup, that's it. Thanks. |
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Subject: Looky, Looky Younder From: GUEST,Vick Date: 04 Nov 00 - 01:16 PM I´ve got a LeadBelly CD music and there is a song I like very much. But I´m not from an english tongue Country so It´s a bit difficult to me to understand the words. So if is there anybody who can give me the Lyrics I would appreciate it very much. The song is called LOOKY, LOOKY YOUNDER and it is followed by BLACK BETTY. I have them in a CD called In The Shadows Of Gallows Pole. Thank you. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA BACK BUCK (Leadbelly)^^ From: Mrrzy Date: 04 Nov 00 - 03:45 PM Wow, I have a totally other one, by Gibson, I think. Is that a version of this one or a totally other song with parallel evolution or something? Chorus: Whoa back buck and gee by the lam, who made the back bend? Whoa, Cunningham! (bis) Me and my gal a-walking down the road And her knees knocked together playing "sugar in the gourd" Sugar in the gourd and the gourd in the ground If you want a little sugar got to roll the gourd around Cho My old man was a good old man Washed his face in a frying pan Combed his hair with a wagon wheel And he died with a toothache in his heel Cho Eastbound train on the westbound track Westbound train on the eastbound track Both those trains were running fine But what a terrible way to run a railroad line! Cho Repeat first verse ^^ |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: Mrrzy Date: 04 Nov 00 - 03:47 PM Hmmm, something hjhiccupped. The lines above rendered Me and my gal a-walking down the roadSugar in the gourd and the gourd in the ground should have read: Me and my gal a-walking down the road And her knees knocked together playing Sugar in the gourd Sugar in the gourd and the gourd in the ground... |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: tradman Date: 05 Nov 00 - 01:36 PM I checked Black Betty in the Digital Tradition and it's not Leadbelly's version. My dad learned the song from Leadbelly himself many years ago, this is what I remember of it: Hey Black Betty Bam da lam Hey Black Betty Bam da lam Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam Dat thing gone crazy (x2) Dat thing gone crazy Dat thing gone blind Was the captain's baby Warn't none of mine Hey Black Betty (x4)
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: GUEST,Vyick Date: 09 Nov 00 - 03:44 AM Thanks for the words of Black Betty, tradman. thak you very much. |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: Doctor John Date: 09 Nov 00 - 01:43 PM Looky looky yonder (x3) Where the sun done gone.
The captain can't hold em (x3)
Ada got a gold mine (x3) Shake 'em etc break em...on the "Black Betty"
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: Mrrzy Date: 09 Nov 00 - 02:35 PM So, anyone know where the one I have comes from? This is very interesting... |
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Subject: ADD: Whoah Back Buck, by Leadbelly ^^ From: Doctor John Date: 09 Nov 00 - 05:59 PM Whoa back buck and gee by the lamb Who made the back band? Whoa Goddam! Whoa Goddam and Whoa Godaam! Who made the back band! Whoa Goddam ("Whoa Goddam "was changed to "Old Cunningham" in later recordings maybe because for commercial recordings it was thought to be in better taste. It also makes slightly more sense!)
18, 19 ,20 years ago I took my gal to a party-o
Whoa...etc
Me and my gal come a-walking down the road Dr John If anyone out there can understand the words to LB's "Yellow Jacket" or that "We'll find Pigmeat there" verse from Pig Meat (or explain what they mean) it would solved a very old mystery and I'd be very grateful!^^ |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: GUEST,Smokey Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:08 PM part of the lyrics that you wrote was a song my father used to sing called "Old Dan Tucker" |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: Jacob B Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:20 PM I've heard Dr. John's version. The other version I've heard is from the singing of Sam Hinton. It went: It takes two hands to carry a load It takes two mules to pull double Let me get this crop put in And I won't cause no trouble Tighten on the back band, loosen the bow And I won't quit pickin' on the banjo, so Jacob |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: BanjoRay Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:50 PM I heard a slightly different version to Dr John: 18,19,20 years ago took mah gal to a party oh took mah gal to a country store dressed mah gal in calico Cheers Ray |
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Subject: My mondegreen From: mousethief Date: 09 Nov 00 - 06:53 PM I always heard it "who made the black man po[or]? Goddam." This is on the "Alabama Bound" CD sung with the Golden Gate Quartet. Just my idiosyncratic ears, I guess.
Alex |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: Bud Savoie Date: 09 Nov 00 - 10:27 PM I hear it as "I wouldn't let her dance but a set or so." In other words, he's keeping an eye on her and he's jealous. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA BACK BUCK (Leadbelly)^^ From: GUEST,Fred Burns Date: 11 Nov 00 - 12:38 AM In Alan Lomax's Folk songs of North America, he says, "This is Lead Belly's variant of a Negro ploughman's song, which occasionally satirizes the poor whites; known from Texas to Miss." He lists it as Negro Folk Songs as Sung by Lead Belly, copyright 1936. This man was drivin' twenty yokes of oxen. He was a long ways from home an' it was a slow, drizzlin' rain and the man was cold. He was tryin' to git his oxens to hurry up a little faster, so ev'y once in a while he'd cut down on um—TI-YOW! he'd pop that long blacksnake whip. But you know about how much speed oxen has got. 'Stead of them gettin' faster, they was speedin' up slower . . . 1 Tom done buck and Bill won't pull,
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: GUEST,clu norwood Date: 05 Apr 01 - 07:52 AM I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK GOD THERES STILL SOME LEADBELLY FANS OUT THERE,AND YA'LL GOT SOME GOOD EARS. |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: texastoolman Date: 05 Apr 01 - 12:38 PM check out napster they have the alabama bound version the last time i checked fred burns (guest) comes as close as i can remember but check out napster and see for yourself tex |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: richardw Date: 05 Apr 01 - 12:50 PM "Whoa Cunningham" or "Old Cunningham" rather than "Whoa, Goddamn" only makes more sense if you are not a teamster. When I am driving and the team won't stop when I tell them or signal with the lines, then "Whoa Goddamn" makes a lot of sense. Cunningham would only make sense if that was one of the oxen's names, and I doubt that was what was meant with Whoa Goddamn. Seems to me the bull wacker is also cursing the maker of the back band, part of the harness, as it seems to be failing. When one ox does not work he threatens to replace him with another by suggesting his "pappa is going to cut that other little bull" and make him an ox (which of course is a castrated bull). Twenty yoke of oxen is a huge team and very unlikely in the example Leadbelly gives. A 20 yoke would only make sense in pulling several freight wagons. |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: Le Scaramouche Date: 20 Sep 05 - 02:06 PM That's typical teamster talk. The Mormon character, J Golden Kimball, I believe, picked up that sort of language from teamsters. Twenty yoke sounds like story teller exaggeration. |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: Big Jim from Jackson Date: 20 Sep 05 - 03:19 PM Lonnie Donegan does a version of this song. Lonnie sang several of Leadbelly's tunes. Mudcat's own Jerry Rasmussen sings a very nice version of this. I don't remember if it is on one of his records, or not. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: PIg Meat Papa From: GUEST Date: 24 May 06 - 12:11 PM can anyone help me out with the lyrics to pig meat papa and WE Shall Be Free with woody guthrie???? |
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Subject: Lyr Add: WHOA BACK BUCK (Leadbelly) From: GUEST,WAveryguest Date: 29 May 06 - 11:37 PM To the best of my ability, these are the lyric's to Leadbelly's 1939 a capella version of "Looky, Looky, Yonder/Black Betty/Yellow Woman's Doorbell" medley. But I could use some help. First words in parentheses- ( ) - are there to clarify the true word from it's- sometimes very different- phonetic use in the song. Second, words in brackets- [ ] - are those words I'm not sure are right. If anyone can fill in these blanks, that would be fantastic. Also, if I screwed up the lyrics anywhere else, I'd love to hear about it. Leadbelly is an amazing historical musical legend, and this song practically possessed me to put together the lyrics. But I've searched all over the web and this thread is the best (free) source I've found. Please be kind to all copyrights, etc. … Looky looky yonder Looky looky yonder Looky looky yonder Where the sun done gone. The cap'in' [captain] can't hold 'em Cap'in' can't hold 'em Cap'in' can't hold 'em The way I do. Yes Addie gotta gold mine Addie gotta gold mine Addie gotta gold mine Way above her knee. Looky looky yonder Looky looky yonder Looky looky yonder Where the sun done gone. [I's just] walking [I's just] walking [I's just] walking All day long. [She's] been talking [She's] been talking [She's] been talking Babe, all day long. Looky looky yonder Looky looky yonder Looky looky yonder Where the sun done gone. Oh Black Betty, Bam da lam Oh Black Betty, Bam da lam Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam Damn thing gone crazy, Bam da lam Damn thing gone crazy, Bam da lam Oh Black Betty, Bam da lam Oh Black Betty, Bam da lam Oh baby Black Betty, Bam da lam Oh baby Black Betty, Bam da lam Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam Damn thing gone crazy, Bam da lam Damn thing gone crazy, Bam da lam Baby wasn't none of mine, Bam da lam Baby wasn't none of mine, Bam da lam Damn thing gone blind, Bam da lam Damn thing gone blind, Bam da lam Yeah Black Betty, Bam da lam Whoa Black Betty, Bam da lam Black Betty, Black Betty, Bam da lam Black Betty, Black Betty, Bam da lam Looky here, Black Betty, Bam da lam Looky here, Black Betty, Bam da lam Jump steady, Black Betty, Bam da lam Jump steady, Black Betty, Bam da lam Last Monday, baby I was arrested [Lawd [Lord], lawd, lawd] On Tuesday, I was locked up in jail [Lawd, lawd, lawd] On Wednesday, my child was attested [Lawd, lawd] On Thursday, [nobody's gonna call my bail,] here's some mo' Almost done, here's some mo' Almost done, here's some mo' Almost done, [Lawd, lawd] And I ain't gonna, ain't done, [ya'll don't gimme no bail] [Lawd, lawd, lawd, lawd] Last Monday, baby I went a'walking [Lawd, lawd] On Tuesday, I shot me a'dog [Lawd, lawd, lawd] On Wednesday, we was sittin' down a'talking [Lawd, lawd] On Thursday, she pawned all of my clothes [Lawd, lawd, lawd] |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: Jim Dixon Date: 31 May 06 - 01:12 AM I suspect it's "On Wednesday, my trial was attested." |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: GUEST,Max Pittman Date: 23 May 07 - 07:08 AM First two lines, last verse of 'Yellow Womens Doorbell' always seemed to me to be: On Monday, me and my baby went a-walking; On Tuesday, she shut me out of doors! (together with Wednesday and Thursday, she's obviously an unpredictable lass) But if the last line of the chorus is I ain't gonna ring them yellow womens' doorbell that makes terrific sense! I always heard 'I ain't gonna bring them yellow women no bills' - with bills meaning money; but I never felt it was right. Much prefer the doorbells. I assume the yellow women were mixed race, not accepted by whites or blacks, and had to go on the game to survive. |
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Subject: RE: Lyric Req: Woah Back Buck, by Leadbelly From: GUEST,Paul Townsend Date: 27 Oct 07 - 03:46 PM In Lonnie Donegan's version of Whoa Buck the expression "Sugar in the Gourd" is said to be "a dance". The last line of the chorus as he sings it (corresponding to the "Whoa goddam" or "Old Cunningham" above) sounds more like "some old man". |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: GUEST,Chuck Date: 04 Mar 08 - 07:33 PM I've always heard it "Whoa back, Buck, and gee by the Lamb; Who made the black man? Whoa, goddam!" "Who made the back band" makes no sense to me at all. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego Date: 05 Mar 08 - 01:08 PM Art Podell and Paul Potash, a couple of talented Greenwich Village boys from the late '50's and early '60's, recording as "Art & Paul," did a version of this song on an early LP, "Songs of Earth and Sky," backed by Dick Rosmini on guitar. Both later performed with The New Christy Minstrels, among others. Some would argue that this version was "over-arranged," but it was a powerful song. That some of the lyrics were undecipherable didn't seem a problem - the words fit the rhythm like a glove. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: Banjovey Date: 05 Mar 08 - 07:10 PM Check out Tom Brad and Alice's CD "Carve that Possum" for words to Whoa Back Buck. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: GUEST,Bob O Date: 09 Jul 08 - 08:36 PM Sorry, I'm not a leadbelly fan, but I have a recording saved from the 1960s that seems related to what you folks have posted. It's definitely not Leadbelly, but sounds to me more like Dave van Ronk. The first few lines, as best as I can make out, are: Sometimes I fly the ol' grey mare. Sometimes I fly ol' mulee-o. Soon as I get this cotton crop out, I'm goin' home to Julie-o. Whoa back buck and gee by the lamb. Who made the back band Cunningham. When was . . . . . . by in. Carving my initials in a mules behind. Anyone know the artist or title? Bob O |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: MarkS Date: 09 Jul 08 - 09:42 PM Bob O That is from Van Ronk who attributed the song to Leadbelly Sometimes I plow the old grey mare Sometimes I plow old mulie o Soon as I get this cotton crop out I'm going home to Julie o Whoa back Buck and gee by the lamb Who broke the back band Cunningham When I was skinnen for Jimmy Ryan Carven my initials on a mules behind I didn't plant no beans or peas Had bad luck with the taters o Cotton crop it didnt come out But great God Almighty tomatos o My gal dont wear high button shoes Feets too big for gaters o All shes good for is a pinch of snuff And hillin yam potatos 18 19 20 years ago Took my gal to the party o All dressed up in calico But I wouldnt let her dance but a set or so Takes two mules to pull a load Takes four mules to pull double o Righty o Righty o When you get your wagon loaded wont you let her go I may have the last verse a bit off - but thats the idea Mark |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: Fred McCormick Date: 10 Jul 08 - 05:29 AM The lyrics to Leadbelly's version have already been posted. However, I was listening just the other day to a radio programme which Leadbelly made in 1940. After he sang Whoa Back Buck the announcer said "If you want the words to that song, just send a postcard to ............. and we'll send them to you". just 68 years too late. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: GUEST Date: 11 Jul 08 - 05:16 PM Hi Mark, You nailed the Van Ronk version. There are a couple of more verses that you didn't list but there's enough for a positive identification. Thanks. If anyone would like an mp3 copy of my old recording, you may contact me at bobobz@yahoo.com Bob O |
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Subject: Lyr ADD: Whoa Mark Juba From: Azizi Date: 11 Jul 08 - 09:15 PM I'm not sure if this is related in any way to Leadbelly's rendition of Whoa Back Buck. In any event, I thought it might be prudent to post it just in case. I'm writing it as it is found in the journal. Whoa Mark Juba Source:The Black Perspective In Music Vol. 4, July 1976, Special Issue, Number 2, pp.148-149, "Negro Folk Songs", reprinted from "The Southern Workman" 24 {February 1895}, 30-32 {program presented by Hampton Folklorist Society of Washington, DC, meeting of the American Folklore Society} Statement that prefaced the performance of the song: "Among the Dance-songs may be included all those musical or rhythmical combinations of sounds which were used to set the time of the dances, plays, or marches in which plantation Negroes indulged when work hours were over. On some of these, the rhythmic expression is mainly through the beating of feet and the patting of hands, while the vocal expression is simply a rude chant. The whole effect of this music, if music it can be called, is as barbarous as if rendered in African forests at some heathen festival, A specimen of this class is the well known Juba..." Marster had a yaller man Talles' nigger in de land, Juba was dat feller's name. De way he strutted was a shame. Juba, Juba, Juba, Juba (repeat several times) Oh, twas Juba dis and Juba dat Juba killed the yaller cat To make his wife a Sunday hat-Juba. His wife was ualler, tall an' fat; He killed ole missis yaller cat To make his wife a Sunday hat. Juba, Juba, Juba, Juba Marster had a yaller steer Ol's de mountain to er year, I tells yer dis for all 'er dat He'd run away at de drop' o yer hat. Whoa Mark. See 'im comin up de road Pullin in er monstrous load, Git out'n de way mighty spry Or he'll tho' you to de sky. Whoa Mark. Juba driv dat ole steer Fer five an' twenty year, Thu de rain and thu de snow Juba an de steer'd go Whoa Mark-Juba. When de sun was shinin breight, Ef twas dat, ef twas night, Her him holler loud an' strong Mark, why don't yer git er long. Golong-Whoa Mark-Juba. By'em by dat ole ox died, Juba he jes cried and cried Tell on day he ups an' die I spec he's drivin in de sky, Golong-whoa Mark-Juba. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: GUEST,MSBluesman Date: 11 Nov 08 - 11:25 PM This is the version of Whoa Back Buck that I have, as best as I can piece it together from previous posts and from my own transcription. Tom done buck and Bill won't pull, Papa gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back. Buck, an' gee, by the Lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam ! Chorus: Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the Lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the Lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam! Whoa, goddam, an'-a whoa, goddam! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam! Tom done buck and Bill won't pull, Papa gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back. Buck, an' gee, by the Lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam ! (Chorus) I taken my gal to the country store I bought my gal some calico Bought my gal some calico I'm takin' my gal to the party, oh! (Chorus) Me and my gal come a-walking down the road Wind from the feet knocking sugar in the gourd Sugar in the gourd and the gourd on the ground If you wanna get the sugar gotta roll the gourd around. (Chorus) I'm takin' my gal to a party, oh! All dressed up in her calico Takin' my gal to the party, oh! I wouldn't let her dance but a set or so. (Chorus) Tom done buck and Bill won't pull, Papa gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back. Buck, an' gee, by the Lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam ! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the Lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam! |
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Subject: Lyr. Add: Last Year Was a Fine Crap Year From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 12 Nov 08 - 12:16 AM Lyr. Add: LAST YEAR WAS A FINE CRAP YEAR 1 Last year was a fine crap year On corn and peas and 'taters; My pa didn't raise no cotton and corn, But, oh, good Lord, the 'taters! Chorus: Haw, Buck, haw, Buck, haw! Who made de back band? Say you don't know? Soon as I git my crap laid by I'se gwine home to Julie. 2 Last year I ploughed de horny ox, Dis year I ploughs de mulie.* Soon as I git my crap laid by I'se gwine home to Julie. *'mulie' is an ox without horns. Song from Mississippi, in Dorothy Scarborough, 1925, Negro Folk-Songs, p. 187, "On the Trail of Negro Folk-Songs," facsimile reprint by Folklore Associates, 1963. A fragment also found in Randolph, "Couldn't Raise No Sugar Corn," coll. 1916, no. 281, vol. 2, Ozark Folksongs. First recordings 1931 (See Traditional Ballad Index). |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: GUEST,Arthur Date: 24 Aug 09 - 08:56 PM seems to me if you are working with oxen you are gonna use words like gee, haw, whoa, back...the back pad and back strap are parts of contemporary gear with oxen...I have a dim recollection from the 30's that the cunningham is a strap...which I dunno, could be the britching over their cunning hams? I also have a leadbelly book that has been in the family for many years...I was singing the whoa back song coming home today so I found you folk out there...I cut my teeth on leadbelly...he never leaves you... The captins got a waterberry and its just like mine But the captins Waterberry, It don't keep time! Oh oh oh oh oh.... Arthur |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: GUEST Date: 13 Apr 12 - 12:13 AM did nobody notice the extremely racist comments towards the start of this thread?... |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: Stilly River Sage Date: 13 Apr 12 - 12:43 AM No, Guest, but the topic does have race as an element. I haven't read the thread closely, but as I read I remember hearing the "Looky, Looky, Yonder" song on one of Sam Hinton's LPs. I can't remember all of the words, but others have referred to his version. I have the album, so I'll pull it out next time I get a chance. I've heard people refer to some terms that may get lost in translation, so I thought I'd add a note that that the Gee and Haw (i.e., "gee by the lamb") are directional terms used with oxen as draft animals. (Some info here.) This may pertain to that line. SRS |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: GUEST,Jamesadamslh Date: 07 Feb 13 - 02:31 AM I remember a version of Whoa Back Buck with "who made your back bend? A mean old man" from the '60's. Also, "Eighteen, nineteen, twenty years ago, I took my gal to the party-o, took my gal to the party-o, but I wouldn't let her dance but to set or sew." |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: Mrrzy Date: 02 Feb 23 - 10:48 AM I forgot about the verse that goes 18 19 20 years ago Took my gal to the country sto' [bis] Bought a pretty little gal a little calico I still think my version is from Bob Gibson. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 02 Feb 23 - 04:27 PM Looking over my files, I found that I had transcribed (or tried to) no less than seven different versions by Lead Belly! Some of them have a word or line that I couldn't make out, but I will start posting them as soon as I have slightly reformatted a few so they will work on the 'Cat. My apologies in advance if there are duplications of others' earlier posts. Here's the first one - though I don't believe my transcriptions are in chronological order. Lines in parentheses at the end of the verses were, I believe, spoken. As I recall, this was from a commercially released recording, hence the substitution of Cunningham for Goddamn. Whoa Back Buck - Lead Belly version #1 Chorus: [Spoken:] Ta, whoa-ho, gee, back up! [Sung:] Whoa, buck an' gee, by the lamb Who made the back band, oh, Cunningham. Whoa, buck an' gee, by the lamb Who made the back band, oh, Cunningham. Oh, ham, and oh Cunningham, Who made the back band, oh, Cunningham. Eighteen, nineteen, twenty years ago, I taken my gal to a country store. Taken my gal to a country store, I bought my gal some calico. ("Ta-ya ho ho, gee, back up, yeah.") (Chorus) I taken my gal to a country store, I bought my gal some calico, Taken my gal to a party-o And I wouldn't let her dance but a set or so. ("Ta-ya hey hey, gee, back up Buck, git over there, yeah.") (Chorus) You take Sal and I'll take Jane Oh good lookin', but they ain't the same You swing Sal and I'll swing Sue Mighty little different between them two. ("Ta-ya hey, gee, back up, whoa git over...") (Chorus) ("Ta-ya, whoa, gee, back up, yeah") |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 02 Feb 23 - 04:34 PM Second transcription. As before, lines in parenthesis were spoken. Whoa Back Buck - Lead Belly version #2 Chorus: Whoa, Buck an' gee, by the lamb Who made the back band, whoa, Cunningham. Whoa, Buck an' gee, by the lamb Who made the back band, whoa, Cunningham. Whoa, Cunningham, an' whoa Cunningham, Who made the back band, whoa, Cunningham. Eighteen, nineteen, twenty years ago, I taken my gal to a country store. Taken my gal to a country store, I bought my gal some calico. ("Ta-ya, whoa, back up, gee, yeah, whoa-ho, yeah!") (Chorus) Me an' my gal come a-walkin' down the road, Wind from her feet knockin' sugar in the gourd, Sugar in the gourd and the gourd on the ground, Wanna get the sugar got to roll the gourd around. ("Ta-whoa, back up, gee Buck, yea-ah, yeah!") (Chorus) ("Ta-whoa, back up, gee, yea-ah, whoa!") |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 02 Feb 23 - 04:42 PM Third transcription. This was from a recording made with Sonny Terry. Whoa Back Buck - Lead Belly version #3 Tom done buck and y'know Bill won't pull, I was gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") Chorus: Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa goddamn and whoa, goddamn, Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! I taken my gal to the country store, I bought my gal some calico. Bought my gal some calico, I taken my gal to the party-o! ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") (Chorus) Me and my gal come a-walkin' down the road, Wind from 'er feet's knockin' sugar in the gourd. Sugar in the gourd and the gourd on the ground, You wanna get the sugar got to roll the gourd around. ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") (Chorus) I taken my gal to a party-o, All dressed up in her calico. Taken my gal to a party-o, I wouldn't let her dance but a set or so. ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") (Chorus) Tom done buck and y'know Bill won't pull, I was gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") (Chorus) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 02 Feb 23 - 04:57 PM Fourth transcription. A few words were not decipherable. According to my notes, this à cappella version may have been an early recording. Whoa Back Buck - Lead Belly version #4 (à cappella) (Chorus) Whoa, back Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Tom done buck and Bill won't pull, I was gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Eighteen, nineteen, twenty years ago, I take Sal to the party-o, I take a gal to the party-o, I wouldn't let her dance but a set or so. Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the Lamb! ("Ta-yah, whoa yeah, back up, gee Buck!") Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! [Spoken:] This man was a long way from home. And it was so driven rain… and he's tryin' to get home and you know that's about how much [???] there are from this [???] He was drivin' twenty yokes of oxen. And then the oxen gettin' faster. They was speedin' and [???] An' once in a while he'd look out on the cut-out, "Ta-ya! Yeah, gee Buck, whoa!" [Sung:] Whoa, back Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Cunningham! Whoa, back Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! I take Sal to the party-o, All dressed up in her calico. I take Sal to the party-o, I wouldn't let her dance but a set or so. Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Nineteen, twenty years, twenty years ago, I went down to the party-o, I went down to the party-o, I wouldn't let her dance but a set or two. Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa goddamn an' whoa goddamn, Whoa back Buck, and gee by the lamb! Whoa goddamn an' whoa goddamn, Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Me an' my gal come a-walkin' down the road, Wind from her feet knockin' sugar in the gourd. Get the sugar in the gourd an' the gourd on the ground, Wanna get the sugar, got to roll the gourd around. Whoa Buck, an' gee by the lamb, ("Ta-ya! Yeah, back up, gee whoa, back!") Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Who made the back-band? Cunningham! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa goddamn, an' whoa, goddamn, Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa Buck, an' gee by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 02 Feb 23 - 05:02 PM Fifth transcription. Whoa Back Buck - Lead Belly version #5 Whoa, back Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Cunningham! Whoa, back Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Chicken in the bread pan, a mighty good stuff, Mama cookin' chicken, yeah, you never get enough! Jawbone eat an' jawbone talk, Jawbone eat it with a knife and fork. Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! [??? Unintelligible line] Don' wanna meet 'er in a mile or more, You take Sal[?] and I'll take John, Took a look a-yonder what John done done. Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 02 Feb 23 - 05:09 PM Sixth transcription. According to my notes, this version/recording was also known as Ox Drivin' Blues. Whoa Back Buck (Ox Drivin’ Blues) - Lead Belly version #6 Whoa, back Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Cunningham! Whoa, back Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! [Spoken:] This man, he were drivin' twenty yoke of oxen… an' he was a long way from home. And he looked down the road, looked like he could see his wife. An' he get a holler at the ol' oxen, "Ta-ya, whoa, yeah Buck, back up!" [Sung:] Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Eighteen, nineteen, twenty years ago, I take Sal to the party-o, I take Sal to the party-o, All dressed up in her calico. Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Me an' my babe come a walkin' down the road, Wind from 'er feet knockin' sugar in the gourd, Sugar in the gourd an' the gourd on the ground, Wanna get the sugar, got to roll the gourd around. Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! ("Ta-ya, whoa! Yeah! Back up, whoa, Buck!") Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, back Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Man, I was skinnin' for Johnny Ryan Puttin' my initials on a mule's behind! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! ("Ta-ya, whoa! Yeah! Back up, whoa, Buck!") Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Eighteen, nineteen, twenty years ago, Sellin' old [???] down ol' cotton-eyed Joe, Cotton-eyed Joe, ran a cotton-eyed Joe's, Wouldn't let him dance but a set or so. Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 02 Feb 23 - 05:23 PM Seventh transcription. Maybe from a private recording? My notes don't specify exactly, and I haven't gone back to check these transcriptions against the original recordings. However, anyone out there is certainly welcome to and correct any errors I have probably made. Whoa Back Buck (Ox Driving Man/Moan) - Lead Belly version #7 [Unintelligible words at beginning, word “Cunningham” can be made out.] Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Goddamn! Whoa, goddamn and whoa goddamn, Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! [Spoken:] But it's… goddamn come in, that's because a Baptist preacher come along one Sunday… man drivin' twenty yokes of oxen… an' them oxen's all balled [?] down, they wouldn't pull… the preacher said, "Listen, brother, if you say a little cuss word an' that bull come on through!" So, the man commence a-poppin' his whup… "Ta-whoa, back up, gee! Git over there!" Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Goddamn, an’ whoa goddamn, Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! [Spoken:] The master went on home, an' he's been singin' this same song, ever so long. Eighteen, nineteen, twenty years ago, I taken my gal to a country store, I taken my gal to a country store, I bought my gal some calico. ("Ta-ya! Whoa! Back up, gee, git over there, Buck, yeah!") Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa goddamn, an' whoa goddamn, Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! I taken my gal to a country store, I bought my gal some calico, Taken my gal to a party-o, I wouldn't let her dance but a set or so. ("Ta-ya! Whoa! Back up, gee, git over there, Buck, yeah!") Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa goddamn, an' whoa goddamn, Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Me an' my gal come a-walkin' down the road, Wind from her feet knockin’ sugar in the gourd, Sugar in the gourd an' the gourd on the ground, Wanna get the sugar, got to roll the gourd around. ("Ta-ya! Whoa! Back up, gee, git over there!") Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa goddamn, an' whoa goddamn, Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! ("Ta-ya! Whoa! Back up, gee, yeah!") (A woman's voice can be heard briefly in the background after the song - laughing?) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 02 Feb 23 - 06:31 PM Found this one that I didn't realize I had: In Alan Lomax's book Folk songs of North America, he says: "This is Lead Belly's variant of a Negro ploughman's song, which occasionally satirizes the poor whites; known from Texas to Miss[issippi]." Lomax lists it as coming from the book Negro Folk Songs as Sung by Lead Belly, copyright 1936. I have slightly reformatted it, but the text is unchanged. ******************************* This man was drivin' twenty yokes of oxen. He was a long ways from home an' it was a slow, drizzlin' rain and the man was cold. He was tryin' to git his oxens to hurry up a little faster, so ev'y once in a while he'd cut down on um—TI-YOW! he'd pop that long blacksnake whip. But you know about how much speed oxen has got. 'Stead of them gettin' faster, they was speedin' up slower . . . Tom done buck and Bill won't pull, Papa gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back, Buck, an' gee, by the Lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam! CHORUS: Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the Lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam! (or) Whoa, goddamn, an'-a whoa, goddam! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddam! Eighteen, nineteen, twenty years ago, I taken Sal to the party-o, I taken Sal to the party-o, Wouldn' let her dance but a set or so. (CHO.) Me an' my gal come walkin' down the road, Wind from her feet knockin' Sugar in the Gourd. Sugar in the gourd and the gourd on the ground, Want to get the sugar gotta roll the gourd around. (CHO.) Chicken in the bread-tray, mighty good stuff, Mama cook him chicken an' he never get enough, Jawbone eat an'-a jawbone talk, Jawbone eat with a knife an' fawk. (CHO.) |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: cnd Date: 03 Feb 23 - 10:21 AM Thanks for all those, Jay. I'd love to go through and listen to each and double check you, but I imagine matching some of the transcriptions to the recordings will be a tall order. I may give it a try some time this weekend if you don't get around to it |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: Mrrzy Date: 03 Feb 23 - 10:35 AM Wow! What a trove! |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 04 Feb 23 - 12:29 AM I've been rooting around for links to the different versions, and I've come up with most (but not all) of them. I'll post them shortly. First, a correction: "I was gonna cut that other little bull" This should be: "Papa's gonna cut that other little bull" Now, a bigger correction: After listening to Version #3, I'm pretty sure the lyrics should be: Tom done buck and y'know Bill won't pull, Papa's gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") Chorus: Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Whoa goddamn and whoa, goddamn, Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! Tom done buck and y'know Bill won't pull, Papa's gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") (Chorus) I taken my gal to the country store, I bought my gal some calico. Bought my gal some calico, I taken my gal to the party-o. ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") (Chorus) Me and my gal come a-walkin' down the road, Wind from 'er feet's knockin' sugar in the gourd. Sugar in the gourd and the gourd on the ground, You wanna get the sugar got to roll the gourd around! ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") (Chorus) I taken my gal to a party-o, All dressed up in her calico. Taken my gal to a party-o, I wouldn't let her dance but a set or so. ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") (Chorus) Tom done buck and y'know Bill won't pull, Papa's gonna cut that other little bull. Whoa back, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! ("Ta-yah yeah, whoa, back up gee, Buck, yeah!") Whoa back, Buck, an' gee, by the lamb! Who made the back-band? Whoa, goddamn! ******************************* And here's the link: Version #3 - YouTube As always, if I've messed up anything, please feel free to correct. I also found another recording that I had previously overlooked. On June 15th 1949, just a few months before his death, Lead Belly performed the song in concert in Austin, Texas. Here is a link: Whoa Buck - Live - June 15, 1949 |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: BrooklynJay Date: 04 Feb 23 - 12:44 AM Here are the other links I found: Lead Belly - Whoa Back Buck - Version #1 Lead Belly - Whoa Back Buck - Version #2 Lead Belly - Whoa Back Buck - Version #4 Lead Belly - Whoa Back Buck (Ox Drivin' Blues) - Version #6 These were all that I could come up with. If anyone out there would like to try their hand at tracking down the others, be my guest. Jay |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Whoa Back Buck (Leadbelly) From: cnd Date: 05 Feb 23 - 08:39 AM One idea for the fourth one. Somewhat surprisingly, that is the Golden Gate Quartet backing him. [Spoken:] This man was a long way from home. And it was so driven rain… and he's tryin' to get home and you know that's about how much speedy ox in this country. He was drivin' twenty yokes of oxen. Instead of the oxen gettin' faster, they was speedin' up slower. Every once in a while he'd look out on the cut-out, "Ta-ya! Yeah, gee Buck, whoa!" And my impression of what he says in the sixth one: Shoutin' on down ol' cotton-eyed Joe, The seventh version seems to come from this recording. The origin of it is either (ultimately, probably) Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order: Volume 7, track 6 (which matches your title of Ox Driving Moan) or this release, by the Archive of Folk Music (FM 102), which seems to normally title the song Whoe Back Buck, except for the YouTube Music version of the German release (the recording I linked in the intro to this paragraphe), which also calls it Ox Driving Moan. The first spoken section of that version probably is "them oxen's all bogged down" (instead of balled) The Alan Lomax version you posted is the source of Fred Burns lyr add way down back in 2000 - link Otherwise, versions 1-4 and 6-7 sound right compared to your posted lyrics. Note that I've also not found the source for Version #5. |
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