Lyr Req: Down in Black Bottom

Subject: down in black bottom
From:
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 02:16 PM

Need lyrics or help in buying the CD to the song I heard a few years ago while in Florida, never heard it again, can't find the lyrics, only think I found the artist.

Song...DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM
Artist? SCRAPPER BLACKWELL .. maybe...

The song goes....

Down in Black Bottom it's such an evil place
Where a man can disappear without a single trace,
Ya talk about them blues; people down there got 'em.
'Cause you ain't got a thing when you're down in Black Bottom.

Then there's a guitar solo... a very good blues song that has haunted me for years...
Thanks...frank

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 5-Jul-02.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: down in black bottom
From: Allan C.
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 04:12 PM

Two suggestions:

First, take a look at that blue box at the top of the page. It contains an alphabetical/searchable listing of thousands of songs. If you were to simply click on the "B", you would find a list which would include the location of the lyrics to this song.

Second, open the search engine of your choice and enter, "DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM" - including the quotation marks, and a variety of recorded sources will be listed.

Glad you stopped in, FMASTON!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: down in black bottom
From: Stewie
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 06:28 PM

As I indicated in another thread, I have a 'Down in Black Bottom' performed by Joe Evans (of the Two Poor Boys), but it is not what you want - not nearly as sinister as the lines you quote, but rather more like 'Deep Ellum' and women taking money from shoes.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: down in black bottom
From: Stewie
Date: 03 Mar 01 - 06:56 PM

The DT has a version by Black Bottom McPhail with Scrapper Blackwell on guitar, but that too is related to 'Deep Ellum' or 'Deep Elem' or howsoever it may be spelt. It also has 'Deep Elem' - scroll down to the fascinating and informative notes:

Click Here

BTW most of the search engine links for 'Down In Black Bottom' are to the Yazoo CD with the Joe Evans recording. There is one with a reference to Ma Rainey's 'Black Bottom', but I have not heard that. Good luck with your search.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: down in black bottom
From:
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 02:23 PM

Thanks allen c and stewie....

I think i have narrowed it down to one of two groups, but can not get them to come up on real radio on the library computers...even a librarian tried and it won't come up

the groups name is OMAR AND THE HOWLERS album would be MUDDY SPRINGS ROAD.there is a cut of black bottom.

also ROBERT WARD don't know what album as computer wouldn't let me back in, but it has a cut of BLACK BOTTOM

AGAIN THANKS....FRANK

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: down in black bottom
From: Stewie
Date: 04 Mar 01 - 05:02 PM

Hi Frank, sorry can't help you there. I have 2 Robert Ward albums - 'Fear No Evil' and 'Rhythm of the People' - and it's not on either. It is also not on his 'New Role Soul' which I do not have. I don't know what else he has recorded. This may help you narrow it down a little further in so far as Ward is concerned. Anyhow it will bring your request back to the top.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: down in black bottom
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Jul 02 - 12:02 AM

CDNOW has sound samples of 3 different recordings of "Down in Black Bottom." Here's what I could transcribe from them:

(1) From Scrapper Blackwell, on "Virtuoso Guitar 1925-1934," Yazoo CD #1019.

...down in Black Bottom. I didn't go to lay down the law.
Police brought me out by my right arm.
I'm going back down in Black Bottom, mm, so they say
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Let's go down in Black Bottom...

(2) From Bert 'Snake Root' Hatton, on " St. Louis 1927-1933," Document CD #5181, 1994.

...ah, down in Black Bottom, ah, Black Bottom.

There's a place called Black Bottom where the chilly winds don't blow,
Where the men hustle women with plenty of dough.
It's down in Black Bottom where they eat fried food.
I'm going back to Black Bottom where the fakin' (?) times is good.

You get your ice from a pump (?), get your milk from...

(3) From Joe Evans, on Various Artists, "Down in Black Bottom: Lowdown Barrelhouse Piano," Yazoo CD #2043, 1999.

...the bottom of your shoes.
And now you stay out of Black Bottom. They ain't got your...(?)

They'll take your money and they'll take your clothes
They'll take your money, partner, and they'll take your clothes.
They'll take your money, partner, and they'll take your clothes.
And whatever you tell the police takes money as far as (?) that goes.

Subject: Lyr Add: DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM (Scrapper Blackwell)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 06:21 PM

DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM
As sung by Scrapper Blackwell with Black Bottom McPhail
From the album "Scrapper Blackwell, Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, Volume 1" (Document)

Now down in Black Bottom, that is, so they say,
They drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.
I'm crazy 'bout Black Bottom, mm, so they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Yes, I went down in Black Bottom. I didn't go to stay down there long.
Police brought me out by my right arm.
I'm going back down in Black Bottom, mm, so they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Now [if you] go down in Black Bottom and you don't know the rule,
Black Bottom women will try to make a fool of you.
I'm crazy 'bout Black Bottom, mm, so they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

If you go down in Black Bottom, put your money in your shoes.
[If you] don't, them Black Bottom women will give you ...(?) blues.
I'm crazy 'bout Black Bottom, mm, so they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Now [if you] go down in Black Bottom, put your money down in your britches,
'Cause them women goin' to rob you, now, you dirty mm-mm.
Crazy 'bout Black Bottom, mm, so they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Now if anybody ax you who composed this song,
Tell 'em Black(?) Bottom Buddy been here and gone.
I'm going back down in Black Bottom, mm, so they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Down in Black Bottom
From: GUEST,999
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 06:30 PM

Omar and the Howlers doing Black Bottom on Youtube.

Subject: Lyr Add: DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM (Bert Hatton)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 06:55 PM

DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM
As sung by Bert "Snake Root" Hatton
From the album "St. Louis 1927-1933" (Document DOCD-5181)

Ah, down in Black Bottom! Ah, Black Bottom!

There's a place called Black Bottom where the chilly winds don't blow,
Where the men hustle women with plenty of dough.
It's down in Black Bottom where they eat fried food.
I'm goin' back to Black Bottom where the pickin'(?) times is good.

You get your rides from the pony, get your milk from the cow,
Your pig meat from the piggie, your pork from the sow,
But down in Black Bottom, that stony lonesome town,
They drink their Michigan water and ...(?) brown.

I claim half o' you women round here ought to be dead.
You run around in town with your old stale bread,
But down in Black Bottom they rock you in a big brass bed.
They rock the chilly(?) papa till he turns cherry red.

I'm goin' back to Black Bottom on a cannonball,
Back down in Black Bottom, and that ain't no stall.
Ah, down in Black Bottom, easy riders don't have to work.
They got a reputation on the tail of their shirt.

Ah, that Black Bottom! Ah, Black Bottom!

Subject: Lyr Add: DON'T GO DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM (McPhail)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 07:16 PM

DON'T GO DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM
As sung by Black Bottom McPhail
From the album "Jack Newman, James Hall, Frankie Jones, Black Bottom McPhail, 1938" (Document DOCD-5351)

Don't you go down in Black Bottom; do you hear what I say?
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.
Now, down in Black Bottom, that is all they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Now, if you go down in Black Bottom and you don't know the rule,
The Black Bottom women will ride you like you was a Georgia mule.
Down in Black Bottom, that is all they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Now, I went down in Black Bottom; I wasn't doin' no harm.
Police brought me out by my right arm,
But I'm goin down in Black Bottom; that is all they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Now, if anybody asks you who composed this song,
Tell 'em Black Bottom Buddy's done been here an' gone.
Buddy, down in Black Bottom, that is all they say.
That's where they drink good moonshine and stay drunk all day.

Subject: Lyr Add: DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM (from Joe Evans)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Jul 15 - 01:49 PM

DOWN IN BLACK BOTTOM
As sung by Joe Evans, 1931.

You go down in Black Bottom, put your money down 'n your shoes.
All the Black Bottom women there ain't gonna do nothin' but take it away from you.
They don't care nothin' 'bout what 'n the world to do.
They'll start(?) to take that money out the bottom o' your shoes.
And now you stay out o' Black Bottom; they got your bath water on.

They'll take your money and they'll take your clothes.
They'll take your money, partner, 'n' they'll take your clothes.
They'll take your money, partner, 'n' they'll take your clothes.
And whatever you tell the police, make's 'em want to … that goes.
And now you stay out o' Black Bottom; they've got your bath water on.

Now run here, Mama, an' run here quick.
Just look out here 'n the back yard; just look at Sis.
Come in here, Sis, you dirty little thing.
How's that tryin' to be somethin' an' you don't know how?
Well now, you stay out o' Black Bottom; they've got your bath water on.

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm-hmm.
Now you stay out o' Black Bottom; they got your bath water on.

I got me a woman; she lives right out in Tennessee,
Just as big an' black an' greasy, great God, as greasy can be.
Her head is nappy and her feet done got thongs.
Ain't gonna tell what she's waitin' on.
Then I used to stay out o' Black Bottom; they've got your bath water on.


[I assume "they've got your bath water on" means "they're ready for you; they know what to do with you," i.e. they'll cheat you.

[BTW, the Memphis Jug Band recorded a song called PAPA'S GOT YOUR WATER ON in 1930.]

Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK BOTTOM BLUES (from Gene Autry)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 06:31 PM

BLACK BOTTOM BLUES
As recorded by Gene Autry, 1932.

When you go down in Black Bottom, this is what you will see:
A red-headed mama with her dress to her knee.
Oh, listen, red-headed mama: your daddy's got the Black Bottom blues.
[yodel]

The women down in Black Bottom all wear their high-heel shoes.
They smoke cigarettes and they drink home brew.
Oh, listen, red-headed mama: your daddy's got the Black Bottom blues.
[yodel]

They wear their paint and powder; their cheeks are like a rose.
They park their money way down in their hose.
Oh, listen, red-headed mama: your daddy's got the Black Bottom blues.
[yodel]

When you're caught in Black Bottom, the police will let you know
You have to have eighteen-fifty before that you can go.
Oh, listen, big policeman: your daddy's got the Black Bottom blues.
[yodel]

There's a cabin in Black Bottom all covered with a vine
Where the men all go and they have a good time.
Oh, listen, red-headed mama: your daddy's got the Black Bottom blues.
[yodel]

Ladies, walk to the corner while you're down in town.
You'll catch your man in Black Bottom; he's just hangin' 'round.
Oh, listen, red-headed mama: your daddy's got the Black Bottom blues.
[yodel]

Ladies, all take a warnin' to this crazy little song,
Or you'll wake up some mornin' and find your daddy gone,
And then, red-headed mama, you'll have the Black Bottom blues.
[yodel]

Subject: Lyr Add: DON'T TAKE THAT BLACK BOTTOM AWAY
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 07:55 PM

This refers, of course, to the Black Bottom dance step that became popular in the 1920's.


DON'T TAKE THAT BLACK BOTTOM AWAY
by Sam Coslow, Addy Britt and Harry Link. ©1926.
As recorded by Annette Hanshaw, 1926.

No one ever gave me a tumble at a party or ball
Still I learned a certain step
That gave me quite a rep.
I became the life of the party, one who goes ev'ry day.
That hot rhythm
Kept me with 'em.
Now they want to take it away.
I'm cryin'—

You can take my coat and hat.
Take away my dog and my cat,
But don't take away that black bottom, black bottom.
You can take the sun away.
Leave me with those clouds of gray,
But don't take that black bottom away, hey-hey!
Ev'ry time I do that dance, I lose my self-control.
It has taken full possession of my very soul.
So just take ev'rything you can.
You can even take my man,
But don't take that black bottom away.

Take our poison alcohol.
I won't miss that stuff at all,
But don't take away that black bottom, black bottom.
Take away those sexy plays
Where they scream the woman pays,
But don't take that black bottom away, hey-hey!
When they took that shimmy dance. I really didn't mind.
When the Charleston got passé, I never wept or pined,
But at the close of ev'ry day,
On my knees you'll hear me prayin':
Don't take that black bottom away.

Just take ev'rything you can.
You can even take my man,
But don't take that black bottom.
Don't take the sunshine out of my life.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Down in Black Bottom
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 05 Aug 20 - 10:03 PM

If you go down in Black Bottom put your money in your shoe: "Black Bottom Blues," Baby Bonnie, 1924.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cufFcl49nMY