Lyr Req: Mississippi Delta (Bobbie Gentry)

Subject: Lyrics of Bobby Gentrys
From:
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 10:34 AM

Hi, I am desperately searching for the lyrics of a song performed in the late sixties by Bobby Gentry named: "Mississippi delts". Its difficult to identify the lyrics off of the record Thank you Stag

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentrys
From: chet w
Date: 06 Feb 98 - 10:26 PM

Do you mean "Ode to Billie Joe"? "...Billie Joe McAllister jumped off the Tallahachee Bridge" at the end of each verse. If so, I have it and will send it by this thread.

Chet W.

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentrys
From: GUEST,karen hoover
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 11:18 AM

Yes, thank you - I'm trying to get the lyrics and music to teach to my grade nine class. Not sure how to do this, first time.

Subject: Ode To Billy Joe? / ...Billie Joe
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 11:24 AM

* * * PREVIOUS MUDCAT FORUM POST * * *

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentrys
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 04:24 PM

Perhaps some background on the song would be helpful to you as well.

The story of Billie Joe is based in truth but stylized to some degree. It is an old story, dating back to the the late 40's when the only daughter of John Hatch, a Mississippi Klansman of some note, was in love with the first black attorney in the state, one Jubilee Simmons. He was the grandson of slaves and had gone to school at the University of Chicago and returned to his family's home state, taking up residence in Carroll county in 1948. John Hatch's daughter was known to be a bit wild and young Kelli had already incurred her father's wrath on numerous occasions. Kelli was living with two other 22 year old women in the small town of Campton, Mississippi when she met and began dating Simmons. Her father learned of it a few weeks later and came into town drunk with some Klan buddies to hunt down and kill Simmons. Simmons law offices were across from the county courthouse and from an open window he could hear the drunken invectives hurled his way from across the square. He slipped out a back door and went to Kelli's house to take her away and save them both from the murderous rancor of her father and his Klavern "brethren."

Not finding Jubilee in his office the Klansmen split up to search for him and John Hatch went to his daughter's, presumably to beat her or possibly worse. He arrived before the pair had left and headed in through the back porch door adjoining the kitchen. Seeing him coming, Simmons grabbed a kitchen knife and jumped atop the counter and then onto the top of the refrigerator that stood by the door. As John Hatch passed, he didn't notice Simmons who then jumped him safely from behind and in the ensuing struggle, Hatch was stabbed with the knife. The lovers bagged his body and threw it off a bridge on their way out of town. They were on their way to Chicago when they were arrested in Clarksville, Tennessee and returned for trial in Mississippi. Jubilee Simmons himself represented both, and thanks to the testimony of one of the roommates and Mrs. Hatch who had suffered abuse for years at the hands of her husband, both were acquitted and moved to Chicago where he established a moderately successful practice on the south side.

The original song told the story as it was, but owing to legal considerations, the Gentry version was done instead. The original was titled, "The Day that Jubilee the Barrister Jumped Off of Kelli Hatch's Fridge."

   





























Sorry....................

Spaw (I just can't resist retelling this one at every chance even when it's on a linked thread)

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentrys
From: Llanfair
Date: 13 Apr 02 - 05:05 PM

Fabulous, 'Spaw, thanks!!!!!!

Cheers, Bron.

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentry's MISSISSIPPI DELTA
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 12:44 PM

Lyrics of MISSISSIPPI DELTA (which is what Wolfgang Janz, who started this thread, was looking for) are posted in two threads: The Songs of Mississippi and Lyr Req: Mississippi Delta (Bobbie Gentry).

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentry's MISSISSIPPI DELTA
From: Ragman
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 01:12 PM

Catspaw! I wonder if you appreciate what you have done to me! I have loved the Bobbie Gentry version for so long... My interpretation was always that Billie Joe knew that the romance between himself and the young lady was doomed, and that after an argument, they had thrown the engagement ring off the bridge. In other, darker moments, I imagined that maybe it was the aborted phoetus that was thrown... Now I shall no longer think of the song as a sad romantic tale...

That is, unless you admit that "The Day that Jubilee the Barrister Jumped Off of Kelli Hatch's Fridge." is just a wind up. It sounds too much to me like a spoof of the Bobbie Gentry song. If you do not, I shall be heartbroken for ever!

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentry's MISSISSIPPI DELTA
From: number 6
Date: 02 Jan 06 - 10:37 PM

Thanks for posting that Spaw ..... interesting indeed.

sIx

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentry's MISSISSIPPI DELTA
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 12:48 AM

Pat's Spaw,

A deep bow from me to you. It is good seeing you feelin' your oats once again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Art

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentry's MISSISSIPPI DELTA
From: open mike
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 01:13 AM

SPAW--SO GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK AGAIN--YOU HAD ME GOIN' THERE!

Subject: RE: Lyrics of Bobby Gentry's MISSISSIPPI DELTA
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 03 Jan 06 - 02:10 PM

Did anybody notice the DATE of Spaw's message?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Mississippi Delta (Bobbie Gentry)
From: Ragman
Date: 06 Jan 06 - 08:37 PM

Didn't notice the date until you pointed it out. I wonder if there is still a Catspaw out there?