The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #32508   Message #3873372
Posted By: Jim Dixon
23-Aug-17 - 06:57 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Richland Woman Blues (John Hurt)
Subject: Lyr Add: RICHLAND WOMAN BLUES (John Hurt)
There are at least 2 extant recordings of Mississippi John Hurt singing this song.

I. A studio recording of length 2:03 ± :01. This can be heard on 6 albums: "Vanguard Visionaries," "The Most Essential Mellow Blues," "Complete Studio Recordings 3-CD Set," "Rediscovered," "A Beginners Guide to Acoustic Blues," and "The Immortal."

RICHLAND WOMAN BLUES
(John Hurt)

1. Give me red lipstick and a bright poppy rouge,
A shingle-bob haircut and a shot o' good booze.

CHORUS:
Hurry down, sweet daddy; come blowin' your horn.
If you come too late, your mama will be gone.

2. Come along, young man; ever'thing's settin' right.
My husband's goin' away to next Saturday night.

3. Now I'm rarin' to go; got red shoes on my feet.
My mind's settin' right for Tin Lizzie's seat.

4. The red rooster says: "Cock-a-doodle-do-doo."
The Richland women says: "Any dude will do."

5. With a rosy red garter, pink hose on my feet,
Turkey-red bloomer with a rumble seat.

6. Ev'ry Sunday mornin', church watchin' me go.
My wings sprouted out; the preacher told me so.

7. Dress skirt cut high, then they cut low.
Don't you think I'm a sport? Keep watchin' me go.

8. Give me red lipstick and a bright poppy rouge,
A shingle-bob haircut and a shot o' good booze.


II. A live-audience recording of length 4:37. This appears on 2 albums: "The Best of," and "Live."

In the following transcription, an ellipsis represents a point where Hurt's voice goes silent for a few beats. This usually brings some laughter from the audience.


RICHLAND WOMAN BLUES
(John Hurt)

1. Give me red lipstick and a bright poppy rouge,
A shingle-bob haircut and a shot o' good booze.

CHORUS:
Hurry down, sweet daddy; come blowin' your horn.
If you come too late, your mama will be gone.

2. Now I'm rarin' to go; got red shoes on my feet.
My mind's settin' right for Tin Lizzie's seat.

3. Stop at the fashion shop; get the one looks best.
Your own sweet mama wants a brand-new dress.

4. Red rooster says: "Cock-a-doodle-do-doo."
The Richland women says: "Any dude will do."

5. Come along, young man; ever'thing's settin' right.
My husband's gone to ….

6. Ev'ry Sunday mornin', church watch me go.
My wings's sprouted out; the preacher told me so.

7. With a rosy red garter, pink hose on my feet,
Turkey-red ... with a rumble ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxnqPPPgN_E