Lyr Req: Walking Blues (Robert Johnson)

Subject: Lyr Add: WALKING BLUES
From: Peter Timmerman
Date: 29 Apr 97 - 05:55 PM

There are odd things happening to the threads. Anyway:

More of the WALKING BLUES.

I don't vouch for all the accuracy of the transcriptions. The Robert Johnson version is available in guitar transcription in print, but I don't have it handy. There is an early version of WB by Son House called "My Black Mama" (sometimes labelled as "Walking Blues") from 1930. There are all kinds of additional verses to the basic matrix in versions both by him and others, including Johnson's classic. In the 1930 House version, there is an opening verse:

"I've got the blues so bad till it hurts my tongue to talk (x repeat)
If I had the walking blues, swear it'd hurt my feet to walk"

Extra verses in the Robert Johnson version (slight variations in the repeats):

"Lord I feel like blowing my lonesome horn
Well, I got up this morning, all I had was gone. (x repeat)

Well, leaving this morning if I have to ride the blinds
I've been mistreated and I don't mind dying. (x)

She got Elgin movements from her head down to her toes
Breaking on a dollar most anywhere she goes (x)."

I don't know what "breaking on a dollar" means (if that is right); but I am told that Elgin refers to Elgin watches. In the Clack's store session in 1941, recorded by Lomax, House has a lot of other verses -- one of which is appropriately punctuated by the nearby passing of a railroad train. Again, each verse has slight changes in the repeats:

I got up this morning, feeling round for my shoes
Know by that, I got the walking blues (x repeat verse)

The blues ain't nothing but a low down shaking chill
If you ain't had 'em, I hope you never will (x)

When you get worried, sit down and drop me a line
If I don't go crazy honey, I'm going to lose my mind (x)

Your hair ain't curly, and your doggone eyes ain't blue
If you don't want me, what would I want with you (x)

Don't a man feel bad, when the good lord sun go down
When he don't have nobody to throw his arms around (x)

Look here baby, what do you want me to do?
I've done all I can just to get along with you (x)

I love you honey, like a cow loves her cud
I'm laying around here, ain't doing no good (x)

The minutes seem like hours, the hours seem like days
It seems like my baby don't stop her low down ways (x)

I'm going to the gypsy now and believe I'll have my fortune told
I believe somebody is trying to steal my jelly roll (x)

I got up this morning feeling sick and bad,
I was thinking about the good times that once I had (x)

Sun going down behind that old western hill (x this line only)
I wouldn't do nothing, not against my woman's will.

You know I'm going away, I believe I'll stay away a good long time
I ain't coming back until you change your mind.(x)

HTML line breaks added. --JoeClone, 17-May-02.

Subject: RE: ashokan farewell sheet music for hammered dul
From: gary duggan
Date: 15 Apr 97 - 08:49 PM

thanks dale, you were a real help. i guess you can't get any better than the composer.....gary

Subject: RE: ashokan farewell sheet music for hammered dul
From: Dale Rose
Date: 13 Apr 97 - 03:16 PM

Here is the URL for Jay Ungar's website, turned to the appropiate page. If what he has listed there does not work for you, perhaps the Email address given for Jay and Molly will produce the results you wish.

http://members.aol.com/ungarmason/prodmus.html

Subject: ashokan farewell sheet music for hammered dul
From:
Date: 13 Apr 97 - 01:21 PM

i am looking for somewhere to get a copy of the sheet music for the song ashokan farewell from ken burns civil war recording. i need this for the hammered dulcimer. thanks

Subject: RE: Lyr request: Walking Blues
From:
Date: 23 Apr 97 - 03:51 PM

A great slide tune; steady two-beat rapping on guitar body or foot-tapping on the floor should provide sufficient accompanyment, give it that beating sound that drives the piece straight at you rather than distancing itself like so many slower tunes. Although I don't have any documentation for it, I can give ya a little from memory (perhaps less than you know already). Anyway, be sure to ad-lib as many asides and jives as your tongue can propel - lots of repitition.

"Walking Blues" -R.Johnson

Woke up this morning, felt aroung for my shoes, That's when I knew I had those mean old walking blues (Repeat couplet) Walking blues. Walking blues

Most people tell ya, blues ain't bad - Worst ol' feeling I most ever had. (Most people say, walking blues ain't so bad) Ya know it's the worst feeling I EVER had (ever had) Walking blues. Walking blues.

Walking blues. Walking blues.

Well, Terry, there's probably another verse. I hope that helps. Good luck anyway.

Subject: Lyr request: Walking Blues
From:
Date: 23 Apr 97 - 12:56 AM

Anyone have the lyrics to the old Robert Johnson tune, "Walking Blues"? Thanks!