I have listened to "You Got to Have That Thing," by the Piccaninny Jug Band, and it definitely is hard to understand. I think the key to understanding it, will be to find other recordings of similar songs. Here's a start:


MOVE THAT THING
As recorded by Hattie Bolten, 1938.

I went down to the pond 'bout half past four,
Saw two little frogs doin' the todalo.
They was a-movin' that thing.
They was movin' that thing.
Well, I mean it, baby, when I say they was movin' that thing.

Then I looked to the right, looked to the left,
Turned around, baby, now, I shook it myself.
I moved that thing.
I moved that thing.
Well, I mean it, baby, when I say I moved that thing.

Now old Uncle Bill told old Aunt Rose:
"That thing I been gettin', I don't need it no more.
You got to move that thing.
You got to move that thing.
Well, I mean it, baby, when I say move that thing."

I called you this mornin' 'bout half past six.
You wouldn't get ready to get at sticks(?).
You got to move that thing.
You got to move that thing.
Well, I mean it, baby, when I say you got to move that thing.

Now I knows an old man; he's stone blind,
Gets low in front and high behind
When he moves that thing,
When he moves that thing.
Well, I mean it, baby, when I say he moves that--moves, moves, moves that thing.