The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #92940   Message #1783066
Posted By: Azizi
13-Jul-06 - 09:21 PM
Thread Name: Songs & Rhymes That Mention Snakes
Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK SNAKE MOAN (Blind Lemon Jefferson)
Speaking of black snakes, here's a classic song:


BLACK SNAKE MOAN
by
Blind Lemon Jefferson
recording of circa June 1926, Chicago, Illinois
from
Blind Lemon Jefferson (Milestone 47022)
I - I ain't got no mama now
I - I ain't got no mama now
She told me late last night, "You don't need no mama no how"
Mmm, mmm, black snake crawlin' in my room
Mmm, mmm, black snake crawlin' in my room
Some pretty mama better come and get this black snake soon
Ohh-oh, that must have been a bed bug, baby a chinch can't bite that hard
Ohh-oh, that must have been a bed bug, honey a chinch can't bite that hard
Ask my sugar for fifty cents, she said "Lemon, ain't a child in the yard"
Mama, that's all right, mama that's all right for you
Mama, that's all right, mama that's all right for you
Mama, that's all right, most seen all you do
Mmm, mmm, what's the matter now?
Mmm, mmm, honey what's the matter now?
Sugar, what's the matter, don't like no black snake no how
Mmm, mmm, wonder where my black snake gone?
Mmm, mmm, wonder where this black snake gone?
Black snake mama done run my darlin' home
__________
Note: Jefferson's first single for Paramount was also his most successful recording. An excellent example of how Blind Lemon used overtly suggestive sexual imagery without becoming salacious;
Note 1: Chinch bug, defined in different terms as a type of bed bug and as another insect which is destructive to types of lawn grass;
Note 2: lyric is garbled, "Most seen all you do" is a best guess.

Online source: http://www.harptab.com/lyrics/ly2719.shtml