Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 01 Feb 18 - 12:38 PM

A couple of different songs may be, what's the word, "conflated" here.

What sprang to my mind is a song
which I think is yet another different one,
and I can see the video yet:
Bette Midler live and in concert,
years and years ago when she was still young,
working that stage as though she were Tina Turner.
She and her backup singers were belting out a tune
with a chorus:

Come on a my house, ho - ney,
Nobody home but me.
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

You can tell it left an impression . . .

Subject: Lyr Add: COME ON AROUND TO MY HOUSE MAMA (McTell)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 Jan 18 - 01:48 PM

COME ON AROUND TO MY HOUSE, MAMA
As recorded by Blind Willie McTell (as "Blind Sammie") 1929.

Come on around to my house, mama.
Ain't nobody home but me.
Call me a hotshot rider and a cheater;
They called it from Tennessee.
Take it easy; don't get rough.
Just want to tell you that I know my stuff.
Come on around to my house, mama.
Ain't nobody home but me.
In the evenin',
Ain't nobody home but me.
In the mornin',
Ain't nobody there but me.

Come on around to my house, mama.
Ain't nobody there but me.
That's why you hear me screamin' an' cryin'.
I'm goin' back to Tennessee.
Can't read and write; can't spell my name.
I can really drive your man's heart insane.
Come on around to my house, mama.
Ain't nobody home but me.
I mean,
Ain't nobody there but me.

(All right, Two-Biz; get it fixed over there. Ain't nobody there but her. You know you want to get there.)

I love my corn an' I love my booze.
I'll really give your man the blues.
Come on around to my house, mama.
Ain't nobody home but me.
I mean,
Ain't nobody there but me.

(Play that thing for me, boy. That's the way I like it, Two-Biz. Don't you like it that way? I know you do. Play that thing, boy.)

Pull down your windows; lock up your blinds (sic).
I'll tell you somethin' that'll change your mind.
Come on around to my house, mama.
Ain't nobody home but me.
Late at night,
Ain't nobody there but me.

(Play it now a little bit, not much.)

Went to the sto'; the sto' was locked.
Think my baby's done changed her locks.
Come on around to my house, baby.
Ain't nobody there but me.
That's why you hear me moanin'.
Goin' back to Tennessee.
Wake up in the mornin' 'bout half-past three.
Think my baby done quit poor me.
Come on around to my house, mama.
Ain't nobody there but me.
In the evenin',
Ain't nobody there but me.
In the mornin',
Ain't nobody there but me.
I'm by myself.
Ain't nobody home but me.

(Play it for the last time, boy.)

Ain't nobody home but me.
You hear me talkin'.
Ain't nobody there but me.
I'm 'bout wild.
Ain't nobody there but me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: GUEST,Barry Mazor
Date: 26 Jan 18 - 03:10 PM

See Blind Willie McTell, as "Blind Sammie)-"Come On Around to My House Mama" from 1929 for an earlier take. The tune is pretty much the same one sued in the Fletcher Henderson/Bessie Smith "Send Me to the Lectric Chair" of 1927--and, really, it's about the same tune as "Ja-Da" by James Reese Europe, recorded by 1919. (And Al Hurt a whole lot later.) Europe may have written it, but it may go well back into ragtime vaudeville.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: GUEST,Don Leighty
Date: 03 May 13 - 01:24 PM

Nuts...I was afraid of that, Janie. It has been a while!

And I'm afraid I can't help by offering any suggestions. Other than posting some "roots" articles related to Emmylou Harris and Ry Cooder in the early 2000s, my 'musical profile' on the Internet probably wasn't very extensive. I hadn't had any contact with Maria Muldaur or any of the other EDJB members at that point... although, oddly enough, I did begin working with Geoff Muldaur on several projects just a couple of months after your original post.

Ah well... the Internet continues to be a great source of surprises!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: Janie
Date: 03 May 13 - 07:19 AM

Hi Don, I'm afraid that after 9 years I have no idea where I picked up that little tidbit of misinformation other than I must have misunderstood something I saw on-line when I was researching to try to find the lyrics before asking on Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: GUEST,Don Leighty
Date: 02 May 13 - 12:18 PM

I was really hoping there was a story behind this attribution. Janie? Anybody?

As an admittedly awful songwriter, I couldn't help but be curious...

Subject: Lyr Add: COME ON IN (THERE AIN'T NOBODY HERE BUT..
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 29 Apr 13 - 01:50 AM

COME ON IN (THERE AIN'T NOBODY HERE BUT ME)
As sung by Barbara Dane on "Barbara Dane Sings the Blues," Smithsonian Folkways, 1964.

1. Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.
Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.
Set right down; let's have some fun.
Man's goin' out on his all-night run.
Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.

2. Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.
Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.
Take some o' this; take some o' that.
Take anything in the doggone flat
Now, come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.

3. Come on in; there ain't nobody here but—
Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.
Fry some meat; cook some bread.
You get sleepy, there's a great big bed.
Now, come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.

4. Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.
Come on in now; there ain't nobody here but me.
Take this liquor; drink this wine.
Let's get drunk and have one good time.
Now come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.

5. Come on in, now; ain't nobody here but—
Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.
Take off your shirt; hang it on the chair.
Take off your socks and give your feet some air.
Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.

6. Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.
Come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.
I'm drunk and disorderly; I don't care.
If you want to, you can pull off your underwear.
Well, now come on in; there ain't nobody here but me.

Come on in now. What you standin' out there for, fool? Come on in.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: GUEST,Don Leighty
Date: 28 Apr 13 - 12:47 PM

Whew! I know this is an old thread, but I gotta ask... how did I happen to write "Come On In"? And have I written any other good songs?

Other posters seem to have cleared up all of the major issues, and Janie seems to have found a copy of the Even Dozen Jug Band album, so all's well. Yes, the version of "Come On In" she asked about was probably written by "Georgia Tom" Dorsey (later the author of so many hymns). Dorsey and Big Bill Broonzy recorded the song as both the Famous Hokum Boys (1930) and the Harum Scarums (1931), the main difference being the female singer accompanying them (Hannah May and Jane Lucas, respectively). Fun stuff, for sure.

Incidentally, I asked Geoff Muldaur about this and he replied that he thought Cole Porter wrote "Come On In". Another version for ya!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 06:48 PM

The Hokum Boys were Tampa Red (born Hudson Woodbridge but known from childhood as Hudson Whittaker) and Georgia Tom (Thomas A. Dorsey). They played together from 1928 to 1932.

That should help clarify which was the original and which the cover.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 07:45 AM

> COME ON IN (AIN'T NOBODY HERE BUT ME) sung by The Hokum Boys is on
> their "Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2," Document CD #5237, 1995.
> Sample:
>
> Well, come on in. There ain't nobody here but me. (2x)
> I'll buy some meat, cook some bread.
> You get sleepy, there's a great big bed.
> Come on in. Ain't nobody here but me.

This is probably a cover version? Kaleidoscope - Come On In on Side Trips, 1967:

Come on in, there ain't nobody home but me. (2x)
I'll give you some meat, no, give you some bread.
Or'd like you rather that great big bed.
Come on in, there ain't nobody home but me.

Know thread's old, were just wondering as I thought I already had heard that Kaleidoscope version anywhere and asked myself whether this couldn't be a cover version itself.

By the way: Not that the thread author would still be interested, but this song has the mentioned "fun" tune. I hear no jug, though.

Subject: Lyr Add: AIN'T NOBODY HERE BUT US CHICKENS
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Sep 05 - 12:34 AM

Please note the following song does NOT contain the phrase "Come on in"—which makes it an interesting question how the catch phrase arose that Helen remembers. By merging two similar song titles?


AIN'T NOBODY HERE BUT US CHICKENS
Words and music by Joan Whitney and Alex Kramer, ©1947.
As recorded by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five, Decca 23741 B

One night farmer Brown was takin' the air,
Locked up the barnyard with the greatest of care.
Down in the hen house, somethin' stirred.
When he shouted, "Who's there?" this is what he heard:

There ain't nobody here but us chickens.
There ain't nobody here at all.
So calm yourself, and stop that fuss.
There ain't nobody here but us.
We chickens tryin' to sleep, and you butt in,
And hobble, hobble, hobble, hobble with your chin.

There ain't nobody here but us chickens.
There ain't nobody here at all.
You're stompin' around and shakin' the ground,
You're kickin' up an awful dust.
We chickens tryin' to sleep and you butt in
And hobble, hobble, hobble, hobble. It's a sin.

Tomorrow is a busy day.
We got things to do. We got eggs to lay.
We got ground to dig, and worms to scratch.
It takes a lot o' settin', gettin' chicks to hatch.

There ain't nobody here but us chickens.
There ain't nobody here at all.
So quiet yourself, and stop that fuss.
There ain't nobody here but us.
Kindly point that gun the other way,
And hobble, hobble, hobble off and hit the hay.

Tomorrow is a busy day.
We got things to do. We got eggs to lay.
We got ground to dig, and worms to scratch.
It takes a lot o' settin', gettin' chicks to hatch.

There ain't nobody here but us chickens.
There ain't nobody here at all.
So quiet yourself, and stop that fuss.
There ain't nobody here but us.
And kindly point that gun the other way,
And hobble, hobble, hobble, off and hit the hay.

Hey, boss man, what do ya say?
It's easy pickin's.
Ain't nobody here but us chickens.

[allmusic lists recordings by Asleep at the Wheel, B.B. King, Beth Fitchet Wood, Chris Daniels, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Eric Nagler, James Brown, Kevin Ramsey, Lamont Cranston Band, Lascelles Perkins, Lisa Stansfield, Louis Jordan & His Tympany 5, Mark Murphy, New York Voices, Pat Boone, Patti Lu Pone, Phil Harris, Sandy Sasso, Stargazers, and The Cunninghams.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here B
From: Helen
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 06:48 PM

Thanks for the link to the Us Chickens song.

I never knew it was a song. My Mum used to say "Come On In. There Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" sometimes and we always thought it was funny because she grew up on a chook farm. Reading the song lyrics I see it is even more specific to chook farming.

I lent her a copy of the movie Chicken Run, and her adamant response was "why would I want to watch a movie about chickens?" but she eventually watched it and thought it was funny.

Helen

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 05:34 PM

Louis Jordan in 1947. Leon McAuliffe in 1961.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 05:15 PM

Easy. Louis Jordan's version here:
Us Chickens

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: Little Robyn
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 04:26 PM

So where can I find 'us chickens' then?
Robyn

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: Chris in Wheaton
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 03:32 PM

Maria D'Amato Muldaut will be at Fitzgerald's in September, with the great Del Rey.
Be there - or wherever else they are performing.
Chris

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: Janie
Date: 26 Aug 05 - 02:48 PM

Don't mind me. Just refreshing this so I can add it to trace to print out lyrics later.

J

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: Janie
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 12:46 PM

Thanks Jim. I think you have come through on more than one of my more obscure requests. I also have just ordered the reissue CD of the Even Dozen Jug Band.

I'm hoping there will be a jug band workshop/singaround at this year's Getaway, and that I can get it down well enough to share there.

Thanks everybody who posted.

Janie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come On In (There Ain't Nobody Here But..
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 02:11 AM

COME ON IN (THERE AIN'T NOBODY HERE BUT ME) is sung by Barbara Dane on "Sings the Blues" Smithsonian Folkways LP 2471, 1964.

COME ON IN (AIN'T NOBODY HERE BUT ME) sung by The Hokum Boys is on their "Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2," Document CD #5237, 1995. Sample:

Well, come on in. There ain't nobody here but me. (2x)
I'll buy some meat, cook some bread.
You get sleepy, there's a great big bed.
Come on in. Ain't nobody here but me.

It is also sung by Andy Polon on "New York On 6 Strings A Day," 1997. There it is credited to Georgia Tom [Thomas A. Dorsey]. Sample:

Well, come on in. Ain't nobody here but me. (2x)
Step right in. Let me have some fun.
My wife just left on an all-night run.
Come on in. Ain't nobody here but me.

It is also sung by The Harum Scarums on "Paramount Masters," 2004 JSP 4-CD set #7723, 2004. Sample:

Come on in. Ain't nobody here but me. (2x)
Take this. Take some o' that.
Take anything in the doggone flat.
Come on in. Ain't nobody here but me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 11:42 PM

Creepy. I have just tried to order a reissue CD of this album from 3 separate sites. When I go check out at all three sites I get web page not available. Is it my machine?

Janie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 11:21 PM

Even Dozen Jug Band is the group and "Jug Band Music & Rags of the South" was the album. It was such a fun and interesting album that I think I'll go see if I can find it somewhere and order it!

Janie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 11:12 PM

Q,

I don't think the Geechie Wiley "Over to My House" is the same song as the one I am seeking. If it is, the lyrics and message are radically different from the version I'm looking for, which is about feeling GOOD and relaxed and at home. I won't be where I can listen to the Harum Scarum tune until tomorrow morning. Once I do, I can probably tell if these are versions of the song I'm seeking.

Interesting lyrics and discussions of songs at the Geechie Wiley link. Thanks for passing it on.

Janie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: David Ingerson
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 04:51 PM

It is on one of the albums we used to play when our kids were little, but I'm at work and don't even remember the performer's name. If no one else comes up with it, I might be able to dig it up this weekend.

It's a fun song!

David

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 03:03 PM

The Harum Scarums in real audio on WFMU: Come on in
This one from 1931.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 02:57 PM

"Ain't Nobody Here But Me" is on the cd "Rare Chicago Blues" (now out of print?), sung by Little Brother Montgomery. From the 1960s. See shoppingyahoo.com and search for "Rare Chicago Blues."

The Geechie Wiley lyrics at Over to My House
The first line is "Come 'round over to my house, cause there ain't nobody here but me."

There are several versions by different performers. The Barbara Dane version is one I haven't heard.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Janie
Date: 27 Aug 04 - 01:33 PM

SOMEbody on Mudcat has got to know this song!

refresh;~)

J

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Janie
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 01:42 PM

Wiggy--I know the song you are talking about, but it is not the same one.

Sorcha, it goes something like the following:

Come on in, there ain't nobody here but me.
I said come on in, there ain't nobody here but me.
Slip off your shoes
pull up a chair
If you want you can take off your underwear
Come on in, there ain't nobody here but me.

It is a definitely a fun, jug-type tune.

I am betting that some one on Mudcat knows it already and will be able to either post the lyrics (and chords if they have 'em, pretty please?) or are more competent at searching the web than am I and can direct me to a site with the lyrics.

But if not.....

Janie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 01:16 PM

I haven't listened to the tape, but might it be the same one Lightning Hopkins did? What is the rest of the line? 'but me' or 'with me Lord'? I found 'with me Lord'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 01:13 PM

Wonder of wonders....I have one Barbara Dane tape and it's on it. I'll give this a day or two and if all else fails, I'll try to transcribe it but that is not one of my Strengths.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: wiggy
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 12:28 PM

Hi
I am also known as wiggy.
I know that the Poms from Oz sing a song there aint no body here but us Chickens is that the one?
They sang it on the radio last week.

Subject: Lyr Req: Come on In, There Ain't Nobody Here But
From: Janie
Date: 26 Aug 04 - 11:46 AM

I can find the title on a discography website for Barbara Dane, but have not been able to find the lyrics. I think it was written by Don Leighty. I had it on a cassette a friend had made for me of "Jug Band Music of the South." The cassette and the friend are both long gone. Anybody have the lyrics?

Janie