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Lyr Req: Preachin' Blues (Son House)

23 Jul 97 - 06:04 AM (#9316)
Subject: Preachin' blues by Son House
From: Ruslan

I'm loookin' for lyrics of this song. I don't understand most of verses from 1931's recordings. From Russia with the blues. Ruslan.


23 Jul 97 - 01:50 PM (#9363)
Subject: Lyr Add: PREACHIN' BLUES (Son House)
From: Jon W.

Ruslan, this is a tough one all right. I listened to the version "masters of the Delta Blues", Yazoo 2002, and got these lyrics. I put in (?) where I didn't quite feel sure about the words. The liner notes state that only one copy has ever been located (of the original 78)

Dick, if you're listening, this one isn't in DT yet I don't think.

Preachin' Blues
by Son House

Part 1

Yeah, I'm gonna fold my arms. I'm gonna kneel down in prayer. (2x)
When I get up I'm gonna leave my preacher shoes (?) laying there.

Now I met the blues this mornin', walkin' just like a man.
Oh-o-o, walkin' just like a man
I said "Good mornin' Blues, wanna give me your right hand?"

Now aint nothing now baby, Lord that's gon' worry my mind
Oh-o-o, that's gon' worry my mind
Oh I'm satisfied, I've got the longest line.

Oh I've got to stay on the job, I ain't got no time to lose
Hey hey-ay, I ain't got no time to lose
I swear to God, I got to preach these desperate blues.

(Great God A'mighty)

Oh--I preach these blues, and choose my seat, and sit down
oh--I'm a preach these blues now, and choose my seat and sit down
When the Spirit comes, I want you to jump (say) up and down.

Part 2

Oh, I'm gonna get me religion, I'm gonna join the Baptist Church (2x)
I'm gonna be a Baptist preacher, and I sure won't have to work.

Oh, I'm gonna preach this blues now, and I want everybody to shout
Mmm-mmm-mm I want everybody to shout
I'm gonna do like the prisoner, I'm gonna roll my time all out.

Oh, I went in my room, I bowed down to pray (2x)
Say the blues good mornin, and I blowed my buried (?) way

Oh I (could'a) had religion, 'til this very day (2x)
But the womens and whiskey well they, would not let me pray.

Oh, I wish I had me a heaven of my own (great God A'mighty)
Hey---, heaven of my own
Tell (?), I'd give all my womens, a long long happy home

Hey, love my baby just like I love myself
Oh-o-o, just like I love myself
Well if she don't have me, she won't have nobody else.