catching a katy

Subject: catching a katy
From:
Date: 27 May 98 - 01:23 AM

Listening to Taj Mahal yesterday and just had to ask: What exactly is a "katy"? Sounds like a train. What's the historical significance? While I'm at it.... What's it mean to have someone "on your bond"? Someone to bail you out? Someone to purchase your freedom? What's the context? If anyone would be so kind as to indulge me. Thanks. Great site!!!

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 May 98 - 02:44 AM

Well, believe it or not, KATY is the common name for the M. K. T. Railroad (Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway. Click on Katy's name and you'll get the whole story.
Or, if you don't buy that, well, how about:

K-K-K-Katy
Words and music by Geoffrey O'Hara, 1918

K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy
You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore
And when the m-moon shines over the cow shed
I'll be waiting for you by the k-k-k-kitchen door

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: Barry Finn
Date: 27 May 98 - 02:52 AM

Can you give more out about Katy, could it be the Kate Adams, which would've been a steamboat (paddlewheeler), sung about in some blues & prison songs. "Well the Kate left Memphis with 100 men, in Arksanas City she did't have but 10", "THe big Kate Adams heading down the stream,with her side wheel knocking good God I been redeemed" or "Kate Adams & Jim Lee had a race, the Kate throwed water in Jim Lee's Face". Bond & bail I believe (unless used in terms for the release from jail) is to stand or speak up for someone, as in "Wonder if the Major will go my bail, or give me 12 hours standing on the rail", he's asking if the Major will speak up on his behalf.

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: Barry Finn
Date: 27 May 98 - 02:57 AM

Hi Joe, I posted at the same late hour as you, had I've read your bit about the Katy, I would've skipped my above piece on the Kate, your's sounds to be more likely than what I had been thinking. Barry

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 May 98 - 03:02 AM

You want the tune, too, Barry?
K-k-k-KATY.....

I believe I heard somebody explain that the KATY line has a special significance for hoboes - maybe because it's a southern route, where the weather is likely to be less hazardous.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: Barry Finn
Date: 27 May 98 - 03:23 AM

Thanks Joe but I couldn't figure out how to get the tune off my screen if you beat me into next year with the instructions. I also recall hearing that certain lines were prefered by hoboes, don't recall why though,could the Bulls have been kinder in a warmer clime, I think getting a tan on top of a boxcar could be a fair guess. It's time I turned in, let me bid you goodnight. Barry

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 27 May 98 - 11:14 AM

In his version of "Sliding Delta", Mississippi John Hurt mentions the paddlewheeler named Kate Allen:

"Big Kate Allen, got ways just like a man; Gonna steal your baby every time she land..."

Joe, I'd come across the same information you posted about the "Katy" mentioned in Taj's version.

One of the many things I like about folk, blues and the Mudcat (not to mention Mudcat folks): Pursue a song or story with enough patience and goodwill and you're bound to find a version that suits your fancy.

My on-going thanks to every one of you!

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: AndyG
Date: 28 May 98 - 05:42 AM

Just from the Lyric;

"She caught the KT,
left me the mule to ride..."

I'd assumed the KT was a train rather than an entire rail network, as a mule is one of those little "trains" that tracklayers and the like use to move themselves and their gear to and from depot to work-site. It still makes some sort of sense though.

Something new learned, thanks for the link,

AndyG

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: wolfz
Date: 29 May 98 - 05:56 AM

wacth the Blues Brother's first movie and i think the song will be more self explanatory in more modern context as well as being veryenjoyable way to spend some time.

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: wolfz
Date: 29 May 98 - 05:58 AM

p.s. the song is called 'she caught the katy'

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: Hesselink
Date: 29 May 98 - 12:14 PM

Thanks everybody. This generated a nice bit of discussion. Now I can get back to just enjoying the music. Next time I won't hesitate to take my query to the Mudcat Cafe. P.S. No particular significance to 'painting a mailbox blue' is there? Is that like switching from Sprint to AT&T? LINK

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: Allan C.
Date: 29 May 98 - 02:54 PM

Just a note about Barry Finn's romantic idea of catching some rays on the top of a train: Back in the 30's my uncle rode from Texas to California by strapping the belt of his pants (presumeably while he was wearing them,) around a shaft on the underside of a boxcar. - I like Barry's idea better but I would imagine that is where the "bulls" would look first.

Subject: RE: catching a katy
From: Barry Finn
Date: 29 May 98 - 04:04 PM

Allen, only dreaming, I tried riding the rail at 17 with 2 buddies going from Boston to San Francisco, after a few attemps & complete failures we stuck out our thumbs, it was the famous summer of Love the road was far easier than rail. Barry