Hi, I came across this thread while trying to find out more about Deacon Jones and Elder Brown who turned up in the following two songs:


WHO THREW THE WHISKEY IN THE WELL
As recorded by Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra, Decca 18674A, 1945.

It was an early Sunday mornin' and the church was crowded full.
Old Elder Brown was ravin'; he was angry as a bull.
The congregation sensed it and they knew just what he meant
When he said: "my text today is: You sinners must repent."

Who threw the whiskey in the well? (in the well)
Who threw the whiskey in the well? (in the well)
'Cause Deacon Jones knelt down to pray.
All he said was: "Hey Hey."
So who threw the whiskey in the well? (in the well)

(Now who threw the whisky in the well) In the well
(Who threw the whisky in the well) In the well
I'm feelin' mighty fine.
I'm high as Georgia pine.
So who threw the whiskey in the well, in the well?

Who threw the whiskey in the well? (in the well)
Who threw the whiskey in the well? (in the well)
Keep your dippers out of that well,
Or we all wind up in (WELL)
Who threw the whiskey in the well? That's what I'd like to know!

Well sisters and brothers, I'm taking my leave thee
Every time I show you the light, and you all live outside of me
Since brother Jones brought his bones, and Sister Ash has all the cash
Let's get together, drink water, get tall.
Come on, children; let's have a ball.

********* answer song ***************

I KNOW WHO THREW THE WHISKEY (IN THE WELL)
(Jackson)

Bull Moose Jackson - 1946
The Four Bluejackets - 1946

It was a lovely Sunday mornin' and everyone was gay.
Everyone but Deacon Jones, who did not feel that way.
He was loaded down with pills.
He was plastered to the gills.
You could tell it, you could smell it
Every time you heard him yell.

I found out who threw the whiskey in the well. (In the well)
Yes, I know who threw the whiskey in the well. (In the well)
Yes, I'm squealin' on my friend
'Cause he went south with my end (sic).
Yes, I know who threw the whiskey in the well.

(Deacon Jones, who threw the whiskey in the well?) Just wait and see
(Deacon Jones, who threw the whiskey in the well?) It wasn't me
I will tell you in a minute,
Soon as I find out what's in it
Yes, I know who threw the whiskey in the well

(Instrumental Break)

I'm gonna tell who threw the whiskey in the well (In the well)
I'm gonna tell who threw the whiskey in the well (In the well)
When you kneel down on your knees
I will set your mind at ease
'Cause I know who threw the whiskey in the well

Through the window came a Bible and it landed on my head
The folks knelt down to pray; they thought Deacon Jones was dead
Elder Brown went way down, then he raised the Deacon's head
The Deacon's eyes flew open and this is what he said:

It wasn't Sister Ash. (No!) It wasn't Elder Brown. (No!)
It wasn't Sister Kitty, 'cause that gal was in the city.
It wasn't Brother Smith. (No!) It wasn't cousin Sammy.
(Who was it, Deacon Jones?) It was Caldonia's mammy.
(It was Caldonia's mammy; it was Caldonia's mammy)
She threw the whiskey in the well!


Interesting to note that Bull Moose Jackson picked it up again in 1948 (see posts above):

It was a stormy Monday morning and the church was very bare...