Still having fun exploring diffeent versions of this song. Here's some additional notes. Ella Madison's version (above with the Charlston verses), according to my mother, may have been from her days singing with a minstral show. I ran into a John Clark at NEFFA who was kind enough to transcribe two other versions of this song:
Here's the Jack Sneed version (from John Clark):
West Indies Blues-III
Got my trunk and grip all packed
Steamboat I'm gonna take her
Goodbye good old New York town
I'm going to Jamaica
Refrain:
I'm gwine home (won't be long)
I'm gwine home (as sure as ye born)
I'm gwine home (won't be long)
'cause I got the West Indian Blues, mon,
I got the West Indian Blues
I done left my bestest job
Running elevator [he pronounces this "hello-waiter"]
I tell de boss I'll be back
Sometime sooner or later.
R
When I get on the other side
Hang around the water
Make my living as sure as ye born
Diving after quarters.
R
When I get on the other side
Get myself a carriage
Get myself a monkey gal
And have a monkey marriage.
R
Now, mon, you eatin peas and rice
You think you eatin' somethin
But mon you ain't eatin' a blasted thing
But monkey hips and dumplins.
R
Now I don't like this New York town
It's getting too outrageous
Every time I go to the zoo
I see my folks in cages.
R
Here's the Clara Smith version (from John Clark):
West Indies Blues-IV
I got my grip and trunk all packed
Steamship I'm gonna take her
So goodbye good old New York town
I'm gwine to Jamaica
(no R)
When I get to the other side
I'll hang around de water
I'll make my living sure as you born
Diving after quarters.
R
Gwine home (won't be long)
Gwine home (sure as you born)
Gwine home (won't be long)
'Cause I've got no time to lose.
Gwine home (I can't wait)
Gwine home (Lawd, I'm late)
Gwine home (I can't wait)
'Cause I've got the West Indies Blues
I've got the West Indies Blues
I've got the West Indies Blues.
[instrumental interlude]
Gotta give up the bestest job
A run an elevator
I told my boss that I'd be back
Sometime soon or later.
When I get back to this great land
You better watch me, Harvey,
Cause I'm gwine a be a great big mon
Like my mon Marcus Garvey.
[instrumental interlude]
Lord, I'm gwine home (I can't wait)
Gwine home (man, I'm late)
I'm gwine home (I can't wait)
Cause I got the West Indies Blues
I've got the West Indies Blues (Lord, Lord)
I've got the West Indies Blues.