Lyr Add: Standing at My Window (Arthur Crudup)

Subject: Lyr Add: MAMIE'S BLUES / 2:19 BLUES
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Jan 14 - 09:37 PM

Van Ronk apparently drew on this song as well, in constructing his version of "Standing by My Window." Morton said he learned it from Desdoumes, and it was the first blues song he ever learned.


MAMIE'S BLUES (a.k.a. 2:19 BLUES)
Words & Music: Mamie Desdoumes* (c1900)
As recorded by Jelly Roll Morton (1939)

Two-nineteen done took my baby away.
Two-nineteen took my babe away.
Two-seventeen bring her back someday.

Stood on the corner with her feets just soakin' wet [Spoken:] Her feets was wet.
Stood on the corner with her feet soakin' wet,
Beggin' each and ev'ry man that she met:

"If you can't give a dollar, give me a lousy dime.
Can't give a dollar, give me a lousy dime.
I want to feed that hungry man of mine."

[* Some sources spell her name differently: Desdumes, or Desdunes.]

Subject: Lyr Add: STANDING BY MY WINDOW (Dave Van Ronk)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Jan 14 - 08:51 PM

STANDING BY MY WINDOW
As recorded by Dave Van Ronk on "Dave Van Ronk Sings" (1961)

Well, now, I'm standing by my window, tears rollin' down my cheek.
And I'm standing by my window, tears rollin' down my cheek.
There stands the woman I love stoppin' ev'ry man in the world she meet.

Well, she stood on the corner; feet got soakin' wet.
Stood on the corner; feet got soakin' wet.
She was beggin' each and ev'ry man in the world she met.

"Can't give a dollar, give me a lousy dime.
Well, if you can't give a dollar, give me a lousy dime.
You know, I'm tryin' to feed that hungry man o' mine."

Oh, well, it's hard when your woman's got another man.
I'll say, it's hard when your woman's got another man.
Well, you can't get her when you want her; gotta catch her when you can.

I was a blind fool, baby, but you opened up my eyes; now I see.
I was a blind fool, baby, but you opened up my eyes and I see.
Well, can a poor fool ask a question? Mama, who may your manager be?

You know, I'm standin' by my window, tears rollin' down my cheek.
Yes, I'm standin' by my window, tears rollin' down my cheek.
There stands the woman I love stoppin ev'ry man in the world she meets.

Subject: Lyr Add: STANDING AT MY WINDOW (Arthur Crudup)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Jan 14 - 07:55 PM

Another later recording:

STANDING AT MY WINDOW
As recorded by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, on "That's Alright Mama" (1961)

I was standing at my window, tears running all down my cheek.
Yes, I was standing at my window, tears running all down my cheek.
I could see the woman that I love stoppin' ev'ry man in the street she meet.

I cried: "Lord, have mercy; what wrong in this world have I done?" (2x)
You know look like ev'ry woman I get, she have to get some other one.

Yes, a blind man seen her and a dumb man called her name.
Yes, a blind man seen my baby and a dumb man called her name.
I know my baby was gon' say: "Lord, I ain't got no man."

Subject: Lyr Add: STANDING AT MY WINDOW (Arthur Crudup)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Jan 14 - 07:43 PM

STANDING AT MY WINDOW
As recorded by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, 1942, on "Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup, Vol. 1, 1941-1946" (Document DOCD-5201, 1993)

I was standin' at my window, tears runnin' all down my cheeks. (2x)
I could see the woman that I love stoppin' ev'ry man in the world she meets.

Then I started to screamin: "Lord, what wrong have I done?" (2x)
Ev'ry woman that I get, she wants some other one.

I was standin' on the corner 'tween Thirty-Fifth and Main. (2x)
That's where a blind man seen my woman and a dumb man called her name.

He said: "Hmm, Lord, I'm blind; you brought eyesight and made me see."
He said: "Oh, I'm blind; you brought eyesight, made me see."
Yes, and a dumb man asked a question: "Woman, who can your rider be?"

Poor me's standin there tremblin' with my head down in my hand. (2x)
I know my woman's gwine to say: "Lord, I ain't got no man."