The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #65948 Message #1092405
Posted By: Jim Dixon
13-Jan-04 - 11:40 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Jim Crow Blues
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jim Crow Blues
Here's my attempt at transcribing from the sound file at the Red Hot Jazz site. (See link above.) There are several gaps and conjectural words. I welcome corrections or suggestions.
JIM CROW BLUES
(As sung by Charles "Cow Cow" Davenport, 1927.)
I'm tired of being Jim Crowed. Gon' leave this Jim Crow town.
Doggone my black soul, I'm sweet Chicago bound.
Yes, I'm leavin' here, from this ol' Jim Crow town.
I'm going up north where they say money grows on trees.
I don't give a doggone if my black soul [freeze?].
I'm going where I won't need no BVDs.
I got a hat, got a old [wash?] coat. Don't need nothin' but you.
These old easy-walkers gon' give my ...
But when my girlie hear 'bout this, Lord, that'll be sad news.
I'm going up north. Baby, I can't carry you.
Ain't nothing in that cold country a green girl can do.
I'm gon' get me a northern girl. Baby, I am through with you.
Lord, but I might get up there where the ... I don't find no ...
Go and tell that boss-man I'm [back?].
Lord, I'm ready to come back to my Jim Crow town.
[Leadbelly recorded a different song called Jim Crow Blues.]