I ain't gonna tell nobody, '34 have done for me I ain't gonna tell nobody what, '34 have done for me Took my roller, I was broke as I could be
They run me from Will Dockery's, Willie Brown, I want your job They run me from Will Dockery's, Willie Brown, I want your job (spoken: Buddy, what's the matter?) I went out and told papa Charley, "I don't want you hangin' round on my job no more"
Fella, down in the country, it almost make you cry Fella, down in the country, it almost make you cry (spoken: My God, children!) Women and children flaggin' freight trains for rides
Carmen got a little six Buick, big six Chevrolet car Carmen got a little six Buick, little six Chevrolet car (spoken: My God, what solid power!) And it don't do nothin' but, follow behind Holloway's farmer's plow
And it may bring sorrow, Lord, it may bring tears It may bring sorrow, Lord, and it may bring tears Oh, Lord, oh, Lord, let me see your brand new year
I'm gonna buy me a banty, put him at my backdoor I'm gonna buy me a banty, put him at my backdoor So when he see a stranger a-comin', he'll flap his wings and crow
What you want with a rooster, he won't crow 'fore day? What you want with a rooster, he won't crow 'fore day? What you want with a man, when he won't do nothin' he say?
What you want with a hen won't, cackle when she lays? What you want with a hen won't, cackle when she lays? What you want with a woman, when she won't do nothin' I say?
Ah, take my picture, hang it up in Jackson wall Ah, take my picture, hang it up in Jackson wall Anybody asks you "What about it", tell 'em "That's all I saw"
My hook's in the water, and my cork's on top My hook's in the water, and my cork's on top How can I lose, Lord, with the help I got
I know my dog anywhere I hear him bark I know my dog anywhere I hear him bark I can tell my rider, if I feel her in the dark
Come on, mama, go to the edge of town Come on, mama, go to the edge of town I know where there's a bird nest, built down on the ground
If I was a bird, mama, if I was a bird, mama, I would find a nest in the heart of town (spoken: Lord, you know I'd build it in the heart of town) So when the town get lonesome, I'd be bird nest bound
Hard luck is at your front door, blues are in your room Hard luck is at your front door, blues are in your room Callin' at your back door, "What's gonna become of you?"
Sometimes I say I need you, then again I don't Sometimes I say I need you, then again I don't (spoken: You know it's the truth, baby) Sometime I think I'll quit you, then again I won't
Oh, I remember one mornin' stand in my baby's door, (spoken: Sure, boy, I was standin' there) Oh, I remember one mornin' stand in my baby's door, (spoken: Boy, you know what she told me?) "Look-a here papa Charley, I don't want you no more"
Take me home sweet home, baby, to that shiny star Take me home now to, that shiny star (spoken: Lord, you know I'm just stayin' there) You don't need no tellin', mama, take you in my car
I'm goin' away, to a world unknown I'm goin' away, to a world unknown I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long
My rider got somethin', she's tryin'a keep it hid My rider got somethin', she's tryin'a keep it hid Lord, I got somethin' to find that somethin' with
I feel like choppin', chips flyin' everywhere I feel like choppin', chips flyin' everywhere I been to the Nation, oh Lord, but I couldn't stay there
Some people say them oversea blues ain't bad (spoken: Why, of course they are) Some people say them oversea blues ain't bad (spoken: What was a-matter with 'em?!) It must not a-been them oversea blues I had
Every day seem like murder here (spoken: My God, I'm no sheriff) Every day seem like murder here I'm gonna leave tomorrow, I know you don't bid my care
Can't go down any dirt road by myself Can't go down any dirt road by myself (spoken: My Lord, who ya gonna carry?) I don't carry my, gonna carry me someone else
Way down in Lula, hard livin' has done hit Way down in Lula, hard livin' has done hit Lord, your drought come an' caught us, an' parched up all the tree
Aw, she stays over in Lula, bid that ol' town goodbye Stays in Lula, bidding you the town goodbye 'Fore I would come to know the day, oh, the Lula well was gone dry
Lord, there're citizens around Lula, aw, was doin' very well Citizens around Lula, aw, was doin' very well Now they're in hard luck together, 'cause rain don't pour nowhere
I ain't got no money and I sure ain't got no hope I ain't got no money and I sure ain't got no hope ...come in, furnished all the cotton and crops
Boy, they tell me the country, Lord, it'll make you cry Lord, country, Lord, it'll make you cry Most anybody, Lord, hasn't any water in the bayou
Lord, the Lula womens, Lord, puttin' Lula young mens down Lula men, oh, puttin' Lula men down Lord, you outta been there, Lord, the womens all leavin' town
Gonna buy me a hammock, carry it underneath through the tree Gonna buy myself a hammock, carry it underneath through the tree So when the wind blow, the leaves may fall on me
Go on, baby, you can have your way Ball on, baby, you can have your way Sister, every dog sure must have his day
Got me shackled, I'm wearin' a ball and... They've got me shackled, I'm wearin' my ball and chain An' they got me ready for that Parchman train
I went to the depot, I looked up at the board I went to the depot, I looked up at the board If this train has left, well, it's tearin' off up the road
Clothes I buy, baby, honey you gonna 'pre, ... You're gonna appreciate, honey, all clothes I'll buy I will give you all my lovin', baby, till the day I die
I went way up Red River, crawlin' on the... I went up Red River, crawlin', on a log I think I heard the Bob Lee boat when she moaned
As the first verse indicates, this song was mis-titled when it was issued by Paramount Records, it should have been titled "Hammock Blues"
Get in trouble at Belzoni, there ain't no use a-screamin' and cryin' Get in trouble in Belzoni, there ain't no use a-screamin' and cryin' Mr. Will will take you, back to Belzoni jailhouse flyin'
Le' me tell you folksies, how he treated me Le' me tell you folksies, how he treated me An' he put me in a cellar, just as dark as it could be
There I laid one evenin', Mr. Purvis was standin' 'round There I laid one evenin', Mr. Purvis was standin' 'round Mr. Purvis told Mr. Will to, let poor Charley down
It takes booze and blues, Lord, to carry me through Takes booze and blues, Lord, to carry me through But it did seem like years, in a jailhouse where there is no boo'
I got up one mornin', feelin' awe, hmm I got up one mornin', feelin' mighty bad, hmm An' it might not a-been them Belzoni jail I had (spoken: Blues I had, boys)
Well, backwater done rose all around Sumner now, drove me down the line Backwater done rose at Sumner, drove poor Charley down the line Lord, I'll tell the world the water, done crept through this town
Lord, the whole round country, Lord, river has overflowed Lord, the whole round country, man, is overflowed You know I can't stay here, I'll go where it's high, boy I would goto the hilly country, but, they got me barred
Now, look-a here now at Leland, river was risin' high Look-a here boys around Leland tell me, river was raisin' high Boy, it's risin' over there, yeah I'm gonna move to Greenville, fore I leave, goodbye
Look-a here the water now, Lordy, Levee broke, rose most everywhere The water at Greenville and Leland, Lord, it done rose everywhere Boy, you can't never stay here I would go down to Rosedale, but, they tell me there's water there
Now, the water now, mama, done took Charley's town Well, they tell me the water, done took Charley's town Boy, I'm goin' to Vicksburg Well, I'm goin' to Vicksburg, for that high of mine
I am goin' up that water, where lands don't never flow Well, I'm goin' over the hill where, water, oh don't ever flow Boy, hit Sharkey County and everything was down in Stovall But, that whole county was leavin', over that Tallahatchie shore Boy, went to Tallahatchie and got it over there
Lord, the water done rushed all over, down old Jackson road Lord, the water done raised, over the Jackson road Boy, it starched my clothes I'm goin' back to the hilly country, won't be worried no more
Backwater at Blytheville, backed up all around Backwater at Blytheville, done took Joiner town It was fifty families and children come to sink and drown
The water was risin' up at my friend's door The water was risin' up at my friend's door The man said to his women folk, "Lord, we'd better go"
The water was risin', got up in my bed Lord, the water was rollin', got up to my bed I thought I would take a trip, Lord, out on the big ice sled
Oh, I can hear, Lord, Lord, water upon my door, you know what I mean, look-a here I hear the ice, Lord, Lord, was sinkin' down, I couldn't get no boats there, Marion City gone down
So high the water was risin' our men sinkin' down Man, the water was risin' at places all around, boy, they's all around It was fifty men and children come to sink and drown
Oh, Lordy, women and grown men drown Oh, women and children sinkin' down Lord, have mercy I couldn't see nobody's home and wasn't no one to be found
I shall not be moved, I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
I'm on my why to glory I shall not be moved On my way to glory I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
Oh, I shall not be moved I shall not I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
I came back I shall not be moved I came back I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
Oh, brother I shall not be moved Oh, brother I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
On my way to Heaven I shall not be moved I'm on my way to Heaven I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
I'm a Christian I shall not be moved I'm a Christian I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
I shall not I shall not be moved I shall not I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
I came back I shall not be moved I came back I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
I shall not I shall not be moved I shall not I shall not be moved Just like a tree that's planted by the water I shall not be moved
Sees a little boll weevil keeps movin' in the, Lordie! You can plant your cotton and you won't get a half a cent, Lordie Bo weevil, bo weevil, where's your native home? Lordie "A-Louisiana raised in Texas, least is where I was bred and born", Lordie Well, I saw the bo weevil, Lord, a-circle, Lord, in the air, Lordie The next time I seed him, Lord, he had his family there, Lordie Bo weevil left Texas, Lord, he bid me "fare ye well", Lordie (spoken: Where you goin' now?) I'm goin' down the Mississippi, gonna give Louisiana hell, Lordie (spoken: How is that, boy?) Suck all the blossoms and he leave your hedges square, Lordie The next time I seed you, you know you had your family there, Lordie Bo weevil meet his wife, "We can sit down on the hill", Lordie Bo weevil told his wife, "Let's trade this forty in", Lordie Bo weevil told his wife, says, "I believe I may go North", Lordie (spoken: Hold on, I'm gonna tell all about that) "Let's leave Louisiana, we can go to Arkansas", Lordie Well, I saw the bo weevil, Lord a-circle, Lord, in the air, Lordie Next time I seed him, Lord, he had his family there, Lordie Bo weevil told the farmer that "I 'tain't got ticket fare", Lordie Sucks all the blossom and leave your hedges square, Lordie Bo weevil, bo weevil, where your native home? Lordie "Most anywhere they raise cotton and corn", Lordie Bo weevil, bo weevil, "Outta treat me fair", Lordie The next time I did you had your family there, Lordie
Weevil was wrongly spelled "weavil" on the original issue of this song by Paramount Records
Aw, that moon has gone down, baby, North Star 'bout to shine Aw, the moon goin' down, baby, North Star 'bout to shine Rosetta Henry told me, "Lord, I don't want you hangin' 'round"
Oh well, where were you now, baby, Clarksdale mill burned down? Oh well, where were you now, babe, Clarksdale mill burned down? (spoken: Boy, you know where I were) "I were way down Sunflower with my face all full-a frowns"
They's a house over yonder, painted all over green They's a house over yonder, painted all over green (spoken: Boy, you know I know it's over there!) Some of the finest young women, Lord, a man most ever seen
Lord, I think I heard the Helena whistle, Helena whistle, Helena whistle blow Lord, I think I heard the Helena whistle blow (spoken: Well, I hear it blowin' now) Lord, I ain't gonna stop walkin' till I get in my rider's door
Lord the smokestack is black and the bell it shine like, bell it shine like, bell it shines like gold. Oh the smokestack is black and the bell it shine like gold. (Cover me boy, you know it looks good to me) Lord I ain't gonna walk there, ah, babe ain't 'round no more.
Ah I evil was at midnight, 'til I heard the local blow. I was evil out at night, when I heard the local blow. (Boy it give me the blues...) I got to see my rider, 'fraid she's gettin' on board
Ah, the moon is going down baby, sun's about to shine. Ah, the moon is going down baby, sun's about to shine. Rosetta Henry told me, "Lord, I don't want you hangin' round."
Oh well where were you now baby, Clarkdale mill burned down? Oh well where were you now babe, Clarkdale mill burned down? (Boy you know where I was) I was way down'n Sunflower with my face all full of frown.
There's a house over yonder, painted all over green. There's a house over yonder, painted all over green. (Boy you know I know it's over there) Lord the finest young women Lord, a man most ever seen.
Lord I think I heard that Taylor whistle, Taylor whistle, Taylor whistle blow Lord I think I heard that Taylor whistle (Well now I hear it blowin') Lord I ain't gonna stop walkin' 'til I get in my rider's door.
Lord the smokestack is black and the bell it shine like, bell it shine like, bell it shines like gold. Oh the smokestack is black and the bell it shine like gold. (Cover me boy, you know it looks good to me) Lord I ain't gonna walk there, ah, babe ain't 'round no more.
Ah I evil was at midnight, 'til I heard the local blow. I was evil out at night, when I heard the local blow. (Boy it give me the blues...) I got to see my rider, 'fraid she's gettin' on board
Just look, just look, just look, see what the Lord done, done Just look, just look, just look, what the Lord done, done Just look, well, Lordy, just look, just look what the Lord done done Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long
It was soon one morning, oh, Lordy, when death come in the room (x3) Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long
Oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, somebody's calling me (x3) Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long
It was soon one morning, oh, Lordy, when death come in the room (x3) Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long
Oh, death, oh, death, oh, death, oh, death done stole my mother and gone (x3) Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long
Oh, move my pillow, then turn my bed around (x3) Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long
Oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush, oh, hush somebody is calling me (x3) Lord, I know, Lord, I know my time ain't long
Think I heard the Pea Vine when it blowed I think I heard the Pea Vine when it blowed It blow just like my rider gettin' on board
Well, the levee sinkin', you know I, baby... (spoken: Baby, you know I can't stay!) The levee is sinkin', Lord, you know I cannot... I'm goin' up the country, mama, in a few more days
Yes, you know it, she know it, she know you done done me wrong Yes, you know it, you know it, you know you done done me wrong Yes, you know it, you know it, you know you done done me wrong
Yes, I cried last night and I ain't gonna cry anymore I cried last night an' I, I ain't gonna cry anymore 'Cause the good book tells us you've got to reap just what you sow
Stop your way o' livin' an' you won't... (spoken: You won't have to cry no more, baby!) Stop your way o' livin' an' you won't have to cry anymore Stop your way o' livin' an' you won't have to cry anymore
I think I heard the Pea Vine when it blowed I think I heard Pea Vine when it blowed She blowed just like she wasn't gonna blow no more
Yes on me, it's poor me, you must take pity on poor me I ain't got nobody, take pity on poor me You may go, you may stay, but she'll come back some sweet day By and by, sweet mama, by and by
Don't the moon look pretty shinin' down through the tree? Oh, I can see Bertha Lee, Lord, but she can't see me You may go, you may stay, but she'll come back some sweet day By and by, sweet mama, baby won't you, by and by
You may go, you may stay, but she'll come back some sweet day By and by, sweet mama, by and by Yes on me, it's poor me, you must have pity on poor me I ain't got nobody, take pity on poor me
Don't the moon look pretty shinin' down through the tree? Oh, I can see Bertha Lee, but she can't see me You may go, you may stay, but she'll come back some sweet day By and by, sweet mama, oh baby, won't you, by and by
Aw, the revenue man is ridin', boy, you'd better look out (spoken: High sheriff ain't purrty) Aw, the revenue man is ridin', boy, you'd better look out (spoken: Boy, if he hollers you, you don't stop, boy) If he hollers you, don't stop, you will likely be knocked out
Oh, a doney loves her saltwater, well, she always wants a drink (spoken: Got to have a drink!) My doney loves saltwater, she always wants a drink (spoken: Boy, if they see you with a bottle, though) If they see you with a bottle, they will almost break your neck
Oh, take me home to, Lord, that shiny star (spoken: Aw sho'!) I say take me home to that shiny star (spoken: She don't need no tellin's, daddy, aw sho') She don't need no tellin', daddy will take you in his car
Oh, come on, mama, let us, go to the edge of town (spoken: Aw sho'!) Come on, mama, let us, go to the edge of town (spoken: Baby, I know where there's a bird's nest built at) I know where there's a bird's nest, built down on the ground
Oh, I wake up every mornin', now, with a jinx all around my bed (spoken: Aw sho!) I wakes up every mornin', with a jinx all around my bed (spoken: You know I'll have them jinx forever) I have been a good provider, but I believe I have been misled
Ah, the revenue man is runnin', boy, you'd better look out Ah, the revenue man is runnin', boy, you'd better look out (spoken: Boy, if he calls you, you don't stop, boy) If he hollers, you don't stop, you will likely be knocked out
Oh, my doe loves her water, well, she always wants a drink (spoken: Got to have a drink) My doe loves her water, she always wants a drink (spoken: Boy, if they see you with a bottle though) If they see you with a bottle, they will almost break the neck
Oh, take me home to, Lord, that shiny star I said take me home to that shiny star (spoken: She don't need no tellin', daddy) She don't need no tellin', dad will take you in his car
Oh, come on mama, let us, go to the edge of town Come on mama, let us, go to the edge of town (spoken: Baby, I know where there's a bird's nest built at) I know where there's a bird's nest, built out on the ground
Oh, I wake up every mornin', now, with a jinx all around my bed I wakes up every mornin', with a jinx all around my bed (spoken: You know I had a jinx here) I been a good book abider, but, I believe I've been misled
Jackson on a high hill, mama, Natchez just below Jackson on a high hill, mama, Natchez just below (spoken ...) I ever get back home, I won't be back no more
Oh, my mama's gettin' old, her head is turnin' gray My mama's getting old, her head is turnin' gray Don't you know it'll break her heart, know, my livin' this-a way?
Ever woke up in the mornin', jinx all around your bed? Ever woke up in the mornin', jinx all around your bed? (spoken: Children, I know how it is, baby) Turned my face to the wall and I didn't have a word to say
No use a-hollerin', no use a-screamin' and cryin' No use a-hollerin', no use a-screamin' and cryin' For you know you got a home, mama, long as I got mine
Hey, Lord have mercy on my wicked soul Oh, Lord have mercy on my wicked soul (spoken: You know I wouldn't mistreat you!) I wouldn't mistreat you, baby, for my weight in gold
Oh, goin' away, baby, don't you wanna go? I'm goin' away, mama, don't you wanna go? (spoken: I know you wanna go, baby!) Take God to tell when I'll be back here anymore
You can shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall Throw it out the window, catch it 'fore it roll You can shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall ...it out the window, catch it 'fore it falls My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Everybody have a jelly roll like mine, I lives in town I, ain't got no brown, I, an' I want it now My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
You can snatch it, you can grab it, you can break it, you can twist it, any way that I love to get it I, had my right mind since I, I blowed this town My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Jus' shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall .. it out the window, catch it 'fore it falls You can break it, you can hang it on the wall ...it out the window, catch it 'fore it... My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
I ain't got nobody here but me and myself I, stay blue all the time, aw, when the sun goes down My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
You can shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall ... it out the window, catch it 'fore it fall You can break it, you can hang it on the wall ...it out the window, catch... My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
You can snatch it, you can grab it, you can break it, you can twist it, any way that I love to get it I, had my right mind, I, be worried sometime 'Bout a jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Just shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall ... it out the window, catch it 'fore it falls You can break it, you can hang it on the wall ...it out the window, catch it 'fore it falls My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
I know I been to town, I, I walked around I, start leavin' town, I, I fool around My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Just shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall ... it out the window, catch it 'fore it falls You can break it, you can hang it on the wall ...it out the window, catch it 'fore it... My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Jus' shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall ... it out the window, catch it 'fore it... My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it...
It was late last spring, one summer day. Oh when he left here, he's gone to stay. But now Harvey's gone, darlin' don't you worry. Because he'd kill again another day.
I'm worried and sinlin', out in the yard. Catch me a freight train, good times got hard. But now he's gone, darlin', don't you worry. Because he'd kill again another day.
Some got a month, some got a year. Purvis Harvey got lifetime here. But now he's gone, don't you worry. Because he'd kill again another day.
I have seen days, I didn't know your name. Why should I worry and cry in vain? But now he's gone, I don't worry. Because he'd kill again another day.
I'm worried and sinkin' Dry bread and water, won't have to starve. But now he's gone, I don't worry. Because he'd kill again another day.
Those happy days, they have gone by. Why should I worry? Harvey killed poor Shine. But now he's gone, I don't worry. Because he'd kill again another
Some got a month, some got a year. Purvis Harvey who has got a lifetime here. But now he's gone, I don't worry. Because he'd kill again another
(spoken: I'm about to go to jail about this spoonful)
In all a spoon', 'bout that spoon' The women goin' crazy, every day in their life 'bout a...
It's all I want, in this creation is a... I go home (spoken: wanna fight!) 'bout a...
Doctor's dyin' (way in Hot Springs!) just 'bout a... These women goin' crazy every day in their life 'bout a...
Would you kill a man dead? (spoken: yes, I will!) just 'bout a... Oh babe, I'm a fool about my...
(spoken: Don't take me long!) to get my... Hey baby, you know I need my...
It's mens on Parchman (done lifetime) just 'bout a... Hey baby, (spoken: you know I ain't long) 'bout my...
It's all I want (spoken: honey, in this creation) is a... I go to bed, get up and wanna fight 'bout a...
(spoken: Look-y here, baby, would you slap me? Yes I will!) just 'bout a... Hey baby, (spoken: you know I'm a fool a-) 'bout my...
Would you kill a man? (spoken: Yes I would, you know I'd kill him) just 'bout a... Most every man (spoken: that you see is) fool 'bout his...
(spoken: You know baby, I need) that ol'... Hey baby, (spoken: I wanna hit the judge 'bout a) 'bout a...
(spoken: Baby, you gonna quit me? Yeah honey!) just 'bout a... It's all I want, baby, this creation is a...
(spoken: look-y here, baby, I'm leavin' town!) just 'bout a... Hey baby, (spoken: you know I need) that ol'...
(spoken: Don't make me mad, baby!) 'cause I want my... Hey baby, I'm a fool 'bout that...
(spoken: Look-y here, honey!) I need that... Most every man leaves without a...
Sundays' mean (spoken: I know they are) 'bout a... Hey baby, (spoken: I'm sneakin' around here) and ain't got me no... Oh, that spoon', hey baby, you know I need my...
Laid down last night, hopin' I would have my peace, eee I laid down last night, hopin' I would have my peace, eee But when I woke up, Tom Rushen was shakin' me
When you get in trouble, it's no use to screamin' and cryin', hmm When you get in trouble, it's no use to screamin' and cryin', hmm Tom Rushen will take you, back to the prison house flyin'
It were late one night, Halloway was gone to bed, hmm It were late one night, Halloway was gone to bed, hmm Mister Day brought whiskey taken from under Halloway's head
An' it's boozy booze, now, Lord, to cure these blues It takes boozy boo', Lord, to cure these blues But each day seems like years in the jailhouse where there is no boo'
I got up this mornin', Tom Day was standin' around I got up this mornin', Tom Day was standin' around If he lose his office now, he's runnin' from town to town
Let me tell you folksies just how he treated me Let me tell you folksies just how he treated me Aw, he caught me yellin', I was drunk as I could be