Lyr Req: Orphan's Blues

Subject: Orphan's Blues
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 03:36 PM

Looking for a full set of lyrics to the song: "Orphan's Blues"

First verse is something like:

I don't know my real name, I don't know where I was born I got hard luck and trouble Since I was raised in an orphan's home.

I found an MP3, but it was apparent that the singer rewrote some of the verses and left out others. Any help would be aprreciated.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Orphan's Blues
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 07:53 PM

This is a song By Washboard Sam from the forties. It's title on the original recording was "I Been Treated Wrong." It's usually known as "Orphan's Blues." It's on Document Records "Washboard Sam, Vol. 6, 1941-42". It became pretty well known in the folk Blues revival from being included on Sam Charters 1959 compilation "The Country Blues." Tom Rush in his blues phase did it as well as others. Good song by a prolific songwriter of the "Bluebird" era 1935-1950. I haven't found the lyrics on-line.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'VE BEEN TREATED WRONG
From: masato sakurai
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 08:10 PM

I'VE BEEN TREATED WRONG
(Washboard Sam, 1941)

1 I don't know my real name : I don't know when I was born
2 The trouble I been having : seem like I was raised in a orphan's home
3 My mother died and left me : when I was only two years old
4 And the trouble I been having : the good Lord only knows
5 I been treated like an orphan : and been worked like a slave
6 And if I ever get my revenge : evilness will carry me to my grave
7 Now I been having trouble : ever since I been grown
8 I'm too old for the orphan : and too young for the old folks' home

(From: Michael Taft, Blues Lyric Poetry: An Anthology, Garland, 1983, p. 286)

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Orphan's Blues
From: masato sakurai
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 10:17 PM

Washboard Sam's sound clip is HERE.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Orphan's Blues
From: GUEST,Tony Castell
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 09:34 PM

On Tom Rush's version (At The Unicorn album) he sings:

I don't know my right name, I don't know where I was born (x2)
And I been having trouble, seem I was raised in an awful storm.
My mama didn't want me when I was only two days old (x2)
And the trouble I been having well the good Lord only knows
I been treated like an orphan I been worked like a slave (x2)
And I never will get my revenge til the Lord take me to the grave
Yeah and I been having trouble well ever since I been grown (x2)
I'm too old for the orphanage I'm too young for the old folks' home

In the reprise of the first two lines he clearly reverts to the words from the Taft.