The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #36269   Message #895695
Posted By: Stewie
22-Feb-03 - 01:27 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Last Kind Words Blues
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Kind Words Blues
I decided to have a go at transcribing this. At least, it will be a start. The problematical bits that I am not sure of are in square brackets. With the help of a few more pairs of ears, we should be able to nail this. Rolfyboyo has it, and I believe I recall that Rick and Peter T. have it, as no doubt do a few others - how about giving it a listen and correcting my transcription? This is how I hear it:

LAST KIND WORDS BLUES

The last kind words I heard my daddy say
Lord, the last kind words I heard my daddy say
If I die, if I die, in the German war
I want you to send my body, send me to my mother [lord]

If I get killed, if I get killed, please don't bury my soul
Aaah, just leave me out, let the buzzards eat me whole
When you see me comin', look 'cross the rich man's field
And if I don't bring you flour, I'll bring you [ both a meal]    [could be ? and meal]

I went to the depot, I looked up at the sun
Cried, if some train don't come, there'll be some walkin' done
My mama told me just before she died
Lord, [she said], daughter don't you be so wild

The Mississippi River, you know it's deep and wide
I can stand right here, see my face from the other side
What you do to me baby, it never gets out of me
[I mean I'll] have to cross the deep blue sea

Source: transcription Geeshie Wiley 'Last Kind Words Blues' recorded in Grafton, Wis, circa March 1930 and issued as Paramount 12951. Reissued on Various Artists 'Before the Blues Vol 2' Yazoo CD 2016 and elsewhere [see above posting by Jim Dixon].

Note: according to Dixon & Godrich, this is Geeshie Wiley solo. There is a suggestion in a posting above that Elvie Thomas was also present. Thomas was with her only for 'Pick Poor Robin Clean' and 'Eagles On A Half' and, with Thomas as main artist, for 'Motherless Child Blues' and 'Over To My House'.

--Stewie.