The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #115222   Message #2466267
Posted By: Stewie
15-Oct-08 - 10:20 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Fiddlin John Carson's Midnight Special
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fiddlin John Carson's Midnight Special
Hi Roberto, this song was not part of Fiddlin' John's repertoire. Apart from the opening verbal exchange with Marion 'Peanut' Brown, he had no part in the recording. It is a duet between Brown and Rosa Lee Carson [Moonshine Kate].

Below is my transcription.

STOCKADE BLUES

Spoken:
Fiddlin' John: This is Fiddlin' John himself with Moonshine Kate and old Peanut Brown - that old Peanut drunk again as usual.

Peanut Brown: I ain't drunk, I'm sleepy.

Fiddlin' John: You ain't drunk, you just tired of totin' whisky. The city got me out to keep these streets clean. If they don't, I will: I'll stick you in the garbage can.

Peanut Brown: Don't stick me in that garbage can.

Fiddlin' John: Well, I'll let you go if you sing this song.

Peanut Brown: Okay.

When you go to Atlanta, you'd better walk right
Don't drink no liquor, nor have no fight
For the police will get you, he'll carry you down
You'll meet Mister Calloway, then you're Stockade bound

Wake up in the morning, hear the bell go ding
You can look on the table and see the same old thing
Well a cold, cold coffee as bitter as gall
If you don't like that, boy, you don't get none at all

You're not at home now, boy, you are down in the sticks
Little men get shovels, big men get picks
Little men get shovels and do your (sic) best
If you don't, when night comes, you'll get no rest

For the man he will know you, he's as sly as a fox
And when you get to the building, he'll throw you in a box
Wake up in the morning, feel dizzy as a ?? [sounds like 'hare' or 'hen']
Say anything about it, you get a rap on the head
   
Yonder come my woman - oh, how do you know?
By the great big Cadillac and the lonesome whistle she blow
With a package on her shoulder and her papers in her hand
Oh mister warden, won't you release my man?

When you go to Atlanta, you'd better not ball
Polices in Atlanta got eyes like a hawk
They'll throw you in the jailhouse and the boys will shout
They'll send you to the chain gang and forget to turn you out


--Stewie.