Lyr Req: Too Long (from Mississippi Sheiks)

Subject: Lyr Req: Sam Chatman's 'Too Long'
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 06:23 PM

What I recall of the song is:

"Too long, you've waited too long to come home"
"Your Daddy doesn't need you anymore."
"Too long, you don't belong here anymore,"
So stop knock, knock, knocking on my front door."

"You left me sweet mama for no good reason at all."
"And now there's another mule kicking in that same old stall."

Any help would be appreciated. I never could understand everything Sam sang.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sam Chatman's 'Too Long'
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 04:33 AM

Roger,

I haven't found the lyrics yet, but Stefan Wirz's discography suggests that Too Long was recorded as part of the Mississippi Sheiks, rather than as a solo artist. This might help your search.

Sam Chatmon discography

all the best
Brian

Subject: Lyr Add: TOO LONG (from Mississippi Sheiks)
From: Stewie
Date: 08 Nov 03 - 09:05 PM

Hi Roger, I have the Sheiks recording. There's not much more to it than what you have given. I am unable to decipher the last line of the first stanza, but it is something like what I have in square brackets. Sam Chatmon was not on this recording.

TOO LONG

My baby she left me, she never said a word
It was on account of something that she heard
She thought when she left I'd run around and cry
But there's a crepe on my door [for you, baby, goodbye]

Too long, you waited too long to come home
Now your Daddy don't need you no more.
Too long, you don't belong here anymore
So stop your knock, knock, knocking on my door

Now you left me sweet mama for no good reason at all
And now there's another mule kicking in your same old stall
Too long, you waited too long to come home
Now your Daddy don't need you no more

Instrumental break

Too long, you waited too long to come home
Now your Daddy don't need you no more.
Too long, you don't belong here anymore
So stop your knock, knock, knocking on my door

Now you left me sweet mama for no good reason at all
And now there's another mule kicking in your same old stall
Too long, you waited too long to come home
Now your Daddy don't need you no more


Source: transcription of Mississippi Sheiks 'Too Long' recorded in Atlanta, Ga, on 24 October 1931 and issued as OK 8953 – Walter Vincson (vcl/gtr) and probably Lonnie Chatmon (vln). Reissued on Mississippi Sheiks 'Complete Recorded Works Vol II' Document DOCD-5084.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sam Chatman's 'Too Long'
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 09 Nov 03 - 12:14 PM

Stewie,

As usual, thank you.

Big RIB