The obscure blues singer of Natchez, Cat Iron, was recorded by Fredric Ramsey Jr. in 1958( Cat Iron - Sings Blues and Hymns (1958)Smithsonian Folkways F-2389 (cassette, $10.95; CD, $19.95) ). "Jimmy Bell" is his masterpiece. Also recorded in the 60s by Dave Ray. One of the best of the anti-clerical blues (see Son House's "Preachin' Blues #2).
Jimmy Bell
Jimmy Bell's in town
Walking all around
He got greenbacks enough, sweet babe,
Buy a man a suit
ref: Buy a man a suit
Buy a man a suit
He got greenbacks enough sweet babe
buy a man a suit
Jimmy Bell in the pulpit
Bible in his hand
All the sisters back in the corner crying
Jimmy Bell my man
ref: Jimmy Bell my man
Jimmy Bell my man,
All the sisters back in the corner crying
Jimmy Bell my man
Jimmy Bell called the sexton
Go and toll the bell
Cause some of these old members here
Sure is going to hell
ref: Sure is going to hell
Sure is going to hell
Cause some of these old members here
Sure is going to hell
Jimmy Bell called the children
Bring your sins to me
Five dollars save your soul
Just bring on to me
ref: Bring it on to me
Bring it on to me
Five dollars to save your soul
Bring it on to me
Jimmy Bell told his wife
told his wife that night
Times don't get no better here
Down the road I'm going
ref: Down the road I'm going
Down the road I'm going
Times don't get no better here
Down the road I'm going