Papa Charlie Jackson is one of the earliest performers to record blues and rags, and many of his songs are the earliest known versions of songs we know today, like Salty Dog, Shake That Thing, Spoonful, Mama Don't Allow and so on.

As time allows I want to add his lyrics to this thread, and I appeal to others to do the same. I know a few of his lyrics are already on DT, but not many. My taped copies of his 78s are from rough originals, and the words are hard to understand. Please correct my versions and let's work on getting them right. First up:

SHAVE 'EM DRY
Paramount 12264, recorded Chicago c. February 1925.

Just one thing I can't understand.
Why a bowlegged woman likes a knock-kneed man,

CHO: Mama, can I holler?
          Daddy won't you shave 'em dry?

Now I'm goin' down town, spread the news,
State Street women wearin' brogan shoes,

Now I'm goin' away to wear you off my mind,
You keep me broke and hungry, mama, all the time,

Now just one thing I can't understand
How a good lookin' woman likes a workin' man,

Now I don't see how yo' [you?] woman can keep
Shimmy'n all day without a bite to eat,

Now, if it wasn't for the powder, sto' bought hair,
State Street women couldn't go nowhere,

Now I went down town the other night,
People on State Street tryin' to fight,

I ain't crazy 'bout the yeller, fool about the brown,
You can't tell the difference when the sun goes down,

When you see two women runnin' hand by hand,
You bet your bottom dollar she got the other one's man,

Now run here, mama, get back in my arms,
If your man catch you, I don't mean no harm.