Lyr/Chords Req: Penitentiary Blues (etc. Sam McGee

Subject: RE: Sam McGee Chords & Lyrics: Penitentiary Blues, etc
From: Suzy T.
Date: 01 Dec 11 - 12:07 AM

I just read a very interesting book: "Tom Ashley, Sam McGee, Bukka White: Tennessee Traditional Singers".   Got it from the library, had to order it though from another town. If you are interested in Sam McGee (or even if not!) you should check it out - there are some song transcriptions in there too. Author is Thomas G. Burton.

Subject: Lyr Add: LITTLE SADIE (from Doc Watson)
From: pdq
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 10:29 AM

Here is the Doc Watson version of the this song...

Little Sadie

~ Doc Watson

Went out last night to take a little round,
I met my Little Sadie and I blowed her down.
I run right home and I went to bed,
A forty-four smokeless under my head.

I begin to think what a deed I done,
I grabbed my hat and away'd I'd run.
I made a good run, just a little to slow,
They overtook me in Jericho.

Standing on the corner a-ringing a bell
And up stepped the sheriff from Thomasville,
Says, 'Young man, is your name Brown?
Remember the night you blowed Sadie down.'

'Oh, yes, Sir, my name is Lee,
I murdered little Sadie in the first degree,
First degree and second degree,
Got any papers, will you read 'em to me?'

Took me downtown and dressed me in black,
They put me on a train and they sent me back,
Had no one for to go my bail,
Crammed me back in the county jail.

Judge and the jury took their stand,
Judge had his papers in his right hand.
Forty-one days, forty-one nights,
Forty-one years to wear the ball and the stripes.

Subject: RE: Chord Req: Sam McGee Chords & Lyrics
From: GUEST,Jonas Eggeater
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 11:40 PM

Thanks for the chords and lyrics, 12-stringer. I just tried it out, and that sounds right to me.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: PENITENTIARY BLUES (Sam McGee)
From: 12-stringer
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 10:40 PM

A quick transcript of the lyrics with the chords as I hear them (don't have an instrument I can try this out on):

Penitentiary Blues (Sam McGee, Arhoolie 5012)

[I] Late one night, well, I made my run,
[IV] Met my woman and I blowed her [I] down
Went right on home and I went to [VI7] bed
[I] Stuck my pistol right [V7} under my head.

Very next morning, by the rising sun,
I grabbed my pistol and I started to run.
I made my run but I run too slow
A man overtook me down in Jericho.

Standin' on the corner, readin' my father's will
Along come a man, they called him Bad Texas Bill,
Now, look-a here, buddy, ain't your name Lee Brown?
I believe you're the rascal blowed your woman down.

Yes sir, Cap'n, my name is Lee,
If you got any blues, well, sing 'em to me.
Now, look-a here, buddy, I b'lieve you know what is best,
So you come go with me, the judge'll tell you the rest.

When I was arrested I was dressed in black
They put me on a train and they brought me back.
Wasn't a man in town for to go my bail,
So they locked me up in the old county jail.

Now, early one mornin', bout a half past nine,
I spied a chief of police comin' down the line.
Hear that old chief when he cleared up his throat,
Get ready, Lee Brown, for the circuit court.

That circuit court had been commenced,
Twelve big jurymen come steppin' in.
'Bout five minutes up stepped a man
Holding my verdict in his right hand.

That verdict read murder in the first degree
I said Lord in heaven have some mercy on me
See that old judge when he picked up his pen
Say I don't think you'll ever kill a woman again.

Killin' these women, my boy, has nach'lly got to stop
I don't know what to tell 'em 'fore they hang you or not.
I give you 99 years on the hard hard ground,
You'll remember the night you blowed your woman down.

Here I am bowed down in shame
Wearing a number instead of a name
I'll be here the rest of my life
All I done was kill one wife.
Lord help me!

Subject: Chord Req: Sam McGee Chords
From: GUEST,Jonas Eggeater
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 10:43 PM

I'm looking for any Sam McGee chords from the album "Grandad of the Country Guitar Pickers." Specifically, I'd love to have the chords to the song "Penitentiary Blues," but a lead on any of the songs would be great. I think I have the lyrics figured out, but if anyone has them, I wouldn't object, in case I missed something.

Thanks!