Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Center Blues

Subject: Lyr Add: WASHINGTON D.C. HOSPITAL CENTER BLUES
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Jan 13 - 08:28 AM

I can't help with the chords, but this is a remarkable blues song, and deserves to have its lyrics posted here.


WASHINGTON D.C. HOSPITAL CENTER BLUES
As sung by Skip James on "Vanguard Visionaries" (2007)

Yes, I was a good man, but I was a poor man, you understand.

In a hospital, in Washington D.C. ,
Ain't got nobody, to see about me,
But I was a good man, but I was a poor man; you can understand.

All the doctors, and nurses too
They came and asked me, "Who in the world are you?"
I says, "I's a good man, but I's a poor man; you can understand."

The doctors and nurses, they shaken my hand,
Said, "Take this poor man, and put him to bed,
Because he's a good man; we know he's a poor man; we can understand."

I didn't go hungry; I had a-plenty to eat.
I had good treatment, and a place to sleep,
Because I was a good man; they knew I was a poor man; they could understand.

I met a little dancer; she promised me
That she would love me, and always be sweet.
She find out I was a poor man, yeah, but I was a good man; she couldn't understand.

Now when she left me, she got in the door,
She waved me goodbye; I haven't seen her no more.
She found out I was a good man; she knew I was a poor man; she couldn't understand.

The doctors and nurses, they shaken my hand,
Say, "You can go home now, Skip; you's a sound well man,
Because you's a good man; you's a poor man; we can understand."

I taken my doctor, and I shaken his hand.
"I'm gon' play these Hospital Blues, till you's a wealthy man.
You took me; I's a good man; you knowed I was a poor man; you could understand.
You knowed I was a good man, but I's a poor man; you can understand."

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Blues chords
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Jan 13 - 11:30 AM

If anyone cares, the correct title of the song is WASHINGTON D.C. HOSPITAL CENTER BLUES. It is on several albums, and on Spotify.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Blues chords
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Jan 13 - 07:44 PM

I do a couple Skip James in double dropped D... Probably no help but, hey...

B~

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Blues chords
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 16 Jan 13 - 11:45 AM

If I were just learning guitar, I would avoid anything by Skip James. He played most things in Em open, and had carefully worked out arrangements, which he never varied, as far as I know, so knowing the chords isn't really going to be much help - you need to keep your left hand moving at least as much as your right hand. Good luck anyway if you're still trying.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Blues chords
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jan 13 - 10:28 AM

The tuning is Open dmin Which is DADFAD And i capo the first fret to get upto skips pitch as he did tune up in his later years. Thats all i can help with as im trying to work it out by ear myself good luck to anyone who finds this in the future hopefully there will be tabs for it or video lessons.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Blues chords
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 12:00 AM

dang. four years later and i find this thread. i feel like i'm late! ever find the chords?

if i can offer any help, it's that the words are true and unshakeable (or whatever i mean) but the chords could be anything... of course, four years after the fact, maybe you aren't asking this question anymore.

well anyway, do you have a version i could hear? just a curious person hoping to hear your take.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Blues chor
From: Robbie Goodfellow
Date: 21 Aug 08 - 08:49 AM

cheers for that....was wondering if anyone had come up with anything...ive worked out its in a dm tuning but as far as that i have no more info

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Blues chords
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 06:52 AM

All I can say is if you are just learning is that I don't believe Skip used regular tuning i.e; EADGBE. But you may already be aware of that. Give it a day or so and I'm sure you will get some more positive help. Most contributors on this site seem to be on line during the working week probably bored with what they are supposed to be doing while "at the office".

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Blues chor
From: Robbie Goodfellow
Date: 17 Aug 08 - 05:53 AM

Anyone give me a hand please?

Subject: Chord Req: Washington D.C. Hospital Blues chords
From: Robbie Goodfellow
Date: 16 Aug 08 - 07:05 PM

Hi
I absolutely love this song by Skip james...
Can anyone help me play it...I am learning the guitar and would love to know how to play it...

Cheers

Robbie