Shorty George, version 22-D from Bruce Jackson's Wake Up Dead Man. Recorded from David Tippen & Ebbie Veassley & group, Wynne Prison, Texas Dept of Corrections, July 1965. Jackson also recorded 3 other versions at Ramsey Prison (Texas) 1 from Louis "Bacon & Porkchop" Houston August 1965, & 2 from Matt Williams, Jesse "GI Jazz" Hendricks & Louis Houston July 1964

Shorty George (cotton & cane song)

Well it's Shorty George,
Ch: He died on the road (repeat both lines)
And how
Refrain: He died, it don't nobody know


Well some give a nickle
Ch: Some give a lousy dime (repeat both lines)
I would
Refrain: Give a quater, he ain't no friend of mine

If you see Roberta
Ch: Please tell her for me(repeat both lines)
Refrain: I got life on the river, I never will go free.

Jackson also gives a conversation with Johnny Jackson (p.119) about Shorty George. JJ says that Shorty George was a train with 3 cars that passed every day at exactly 3:35, says that the 1st day he was digging trenches everybody hollered "Whup", scared me, I said what's happening Somebody told me Shorty George just passed. I said "who's Shorty George? Where is he at"? They said they was talking about this little train just passing. I said "why they keep up with Shorty George"? He said "they know when Shorty George pass it's 3:35" Same thing every day at the same time. We'd be digging ditches & suddenly everybody's hollering, "Whup!" I'd say "what's wrong with'em, man?" Hw say, "ohg, shorty George just passed. Bosslook at his watch & say "3:35. Shorty George".

Others colected versions of SG including A Lomax back in 36 & 39 at least 1 of those from Leadbelly, J Lomax from James "Iron Head" Baker at Central Prison (Texas) in 33, Ruby & J Lomax from Smith Carson at Clemens Prison (Texas) in 39

The other 3 Bruce Jackson versions all start with the same 2 stanzas

Oh, well it's Shorty George
He wasn't no friend of mine (2x)
Oh, well it's Shorty George, he wasn't no friend of mine
Well he's taken all the women
And left the men behind (2x)

Oh, some give a nickle
And some give a lousy dime (2x)
Oh, some give a nickle and some give a lousy dime
I would give a quater
But he wasn't no friend of mine.

Barry