Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs (Mobile Strugglers)

Subject: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs by Mobile Strugglers
From: GUEST,Howlvis
Date: 07 Dec 17 - 06:24 PM

Hello Everyone, I am looking for lyrics to the song "Fattening Frogs" by the Mobile Strugglers. I know that Sonny Boy Williamson has a song by this name, but this is a different song. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs by Mobile Strugglers
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 07 Dec 17 - 08:58 PM

Welcome to Mudcat.

Please....give even a few words from any part of the lyrics you can recall.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Post a simple phrase...and the blood hounds of mudcat heaven and hell...may be unleashed...even if it takes two decades

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs by Mobile Strugglers
From: GUEST,Howlvis
Date: 07 Dec 17 - 09:27 PM

Took me so long to learn my mistakes,
So much time fattening frogs for snakes.

Or something like that.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs by Mobile Strugglers
From: meself
Date: 07 Dec 17 - 10:48 PM

Sounds a lot like the Sonny Boy song ... !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs by Mobile Strugglers
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 04:55 PM

Sorry for not answering your question promptly, but I found a bunch of songs that use the same metaphor, either in the title or the lyrics, and not knowing how they were related, I decided to investigate all of them. Having done that, I plan to post them in chronological order:

1. Virginia Liston, "I'm Sick of Fattening Frogs for Snakes" (3 Jun 1925)
2. Carrie Edwards, "Fattening Frogs for Snakes" (10 Feb 1932)
3. Clara Smith, "(I'm Tired of) Fattenin' Frogs for Snakes" (25 Mar 1932)
4. Bumble Bee Slim, "Fattenin' Frogs for Snakes" (11 Jul 1935)
5. Rosetta Crawford and Hepcats, "I'm Tired of Fattenin' Frogs for Snakes" (1 Feb 1939)
6. Memphis Slim, "I See My Great Mistake" (30 Oct 1940)
7. The Mobile Strugglers, "Fattenin' Frogs" (July 1949)
8. Sonny Boy Williamson, "Fattening Frogs for Snakes" (8 Feb 1957)
9. The Larks, "I Ain't Fattenin' Frogs for Snakes" (27 Mar 1951)

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M SICK OF FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 04:57 PM

From YouTube:

[1] I'M SICK OF FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES
As recorded by Virginia Liston, 1925.

When the sun was in eclipse, I hid one in the dark,
And he was gobbled up by a daddy-grabbin' shark.
I dressed him all up so he would look good.
He played with all the gals in the neighborhood,
So now I'm tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes.

The gals around here are just like leeches
That dally in your orchard and steal your peaches.
I worked free woman but let my man leave.
Ev'ryone I guess would take him 'way from me,
So now I'm tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes.

Now only Sarah James she only gain in bowls(?).
She'd laugh in your face and steal your jelly roll,
And follow your man wherever he goes,
And take him right away from underneath your nose.
So now [I'm] tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes.

I stood in the rain; I got wringin' wet.
[This] is what I said to ev'ryone I met:
I don't want no nickels; don't give me a dime
So I can feed that hungry man of mine,
'Cause I'm tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes.

I bathed ditches(?) when the weather was cold,
But baby with no more to save his soul,
'Cause when summer comes, he left me alone
For another Jane called Molly Malone,
So I quit fattenin' a frog for a snake.

Subject: Lyr Add: FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES (C Edwards)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 04:59 PM

From YouTube:

[2] FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES
As recorded by Carrie Edwards, 1932

Gee, but it's hard to be in love
When you don't get an even break.
Prayers are sent to heavens above,
Tryin' so hard to meet my fate.
I was as good as good could be,
But no one ever played fair with me.
I wasted my time, made up my mind.
Nothin' now appeals to me.
All you sweet mens run an' jump in a lake,
Because I've done got tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes.

I done got tired, I mean real tired, of fattenin' frogs for snakes.
I say: I've done got tired, I mean real tired, fattenin' frogs for snakes.
Now to get in love, troubles just begin.
You get a no-good man and lose a darn good friend.
That's why I've done got tired, I mean real tired, of fattenin' frogs for snakes.
I don't mean maybe! fattenin' frogs for snakes.

Mmm, done got tired, I mean real tired, of fattenin' these no-good frogs for snakes.
I say: I've done got tired, I mean real tired, fattenin' frogs for snakes.
Now if you give your man your money, I'll tell you what he'll do:
Stay out with your girlfriends and they'll cheat on you,
'Cause I've done got tired, I mean real tired, fattenin' frogs for snakes.
Yeah man; fattenin' frogs for snakes.

I say I've done got tired, ..., fattenin' frogs for snakes.
Tell me who wouldn't be tired, I mean real tired, of fattenin' no-good frogs for snakes?
I don't need no daddy but a certain length of time,
Then I'm goin' farther; I mean to get all of mine,
'Cause I've done got tired, I mean real tired, of fattenin' frogs for snakes.
Don't mean maybe! fattenin' frogs for snakes.

Oh, hear me talkin' to ya!
If you catch me stealin', I don't mean no harm,
Forced to do my snakin' till the cows come home.
That's why I've done got tired, I mean real tired, of fattenin' frogs for snakes.
Mm-hmm, fattenin' these frogs for snakes.

Subject: Lyr Add: (I'M TIRED OF) FATTENIN' FROGS FOR SNAKES
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 05:01 PM

From YouTube:

[3] (I'M TIRED OF) FATTENIN' FROGS FOR SNAKES
As recorded by Clara Smith,

[Lyrics are very similar to Carrie Edwards' version above.]

Subject: Lyr Add: FATTENIN' FROGS FOR SNAKES
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 05:04 PM

From YouTube:

[4] FATTENIN' FROGS FOR SNAKES
As recorded by Bumble Bee Slim, 1935

You get your breakfast in the morning, your dinner on time.
I let you spend my dollar just like you spent my dime.

CHORUS: Now I'm gettin' tired, baby, fattenin' frogs for snakes.
All these many years, baby, I'm just now seein' my mistakes.

When I first met you, mama, you didn't have no clothes.
You was broke an' hongry, an' out of dough.

Men didn't want you when you's down and out.
I got you up on your feet; now they got you steppin' out.

All these many years, baby, you've been bringin' me that jive,
Goin' to the store at noon, comin' back at five.

I work hard all the time, and bring you my pay.
You get behind my back and give it all away.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M TIRED OF FATTENIN' FROGS FOR SNAKES
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 05:06 PM

From YouTube:

[5] I'M TIRED OF FATTENIN' FROGS FOR SNAKES
Written by Perry Bradford
As recorded by Rosetta Crawford with James P. Johnson's Hep Cats, 1939.

Gals around here are just like leeches,
Play in your orchard and steal your peaches.
I wish all these kids would let my man be,
'Cause all his love belongs to me,
So now I'm tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes.

When the moon was in eclipse, I hid one in the dark,
But he was gobbled up by some daddy-grabbin' shark.
I dressed him all up so he would look good.
He cheated(?) with all the chicks in my neighborhood.
So now I'm tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes.

Now old Lucy James, so brazen and bold,
Laughed in my face and stole my jelly roll,
Followed my man wherever he goes,
Jived until she took him right from under my nose,
So now I'm tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes.

Subject: Lyr Add: I SEE MY GREAT MISTAKE (Memphis Slim)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 05:07 PM

From YouTube:

[6] I SEE MY GREAT MISTAKE
As recorded by Memphis Slim, 1940

I've got somethin' to tell you baby; don't let it break your heart.
So long together, now we've got to part,
Because I'm tired of fattenin' frogs for snakes.
After these long many years, I just see my great mistake.

Now you told me that you would love me; said you would love me all your life.
Babe, I caught you round the corner, tellin' that same lie twice.
You know I'm tired....

Now once I used to love you, I just couldn't help myself.
Found out you was givin' my love, baby, to somebody else.
You know I'm tired....

Now listen, little girl, you don't worry my mind no mo'.
I found out you actin' funny; I'm sure gonna let you go.
Because I'm tired....

Subject: Lyr Add: FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 05:09 PM

From YouTube:

[7] FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES
As recorded by The Mobile Strugglers, 1949

Cooked my breakfast this mornin', pretty mama; had my dinner on time.
Spent my last dollar like you spent my last dime,
But I'm getting tired, fattenin' frogs for snakes.
Take me so many years to learn my mistakes.

When I had plenty money, you pulled me in your do'.
Soon as I got ...(?), woman, you're doggone low.
That made me tired....

When I first knowed you, pretty mama, [you] didn't have so many fine clo'es,[clothes]
Owed house rent, almost sleepin' outdoo's.[outdoors; rhymes with clothes]
That made me tired....

Subject: Lyr Add: FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES (Williamson)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 05:11 PM

From YouTube:

[8] FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES
As recorded by Sonny Boy Williamson [II], 1957.

It took me a long time to find out my mistake, (2x)
But I betcha my bottom dollar, I'm not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes.

I found out my downfall back in nineteen and thirty-eight. (2x)
I'm tellin' all o' my friends, I'm not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes.

In nineteen and fifty-seven I got to correct all o' my mistakes. (2x)
I'm tellin' my friends, my wife and everybody else, I'm not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes.

Subject: Lyr Add: I AIN'T FATTENIN' FROGS FOR SNAKES (Larks
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 05:13 PM

From YouTube:

[9] I AIN'T FATTENIN' FROGS FOR SNAKES
As recorded by The Larks, 1951.

CHORUS: I ain't fattenin' frogs for snakes.
I ain't fattenin' frogs for snakes.
If I ain't got just what it takes,
I just won't fatten frogs for snakes. REPEAT

Now you say that you [are] the ruler of the joint.
That may be so but I don't get your point.
Fifty-fifty basis is the golden rule,
So close the blind and lock the doors; it won't be in school. CHORUS

I may look like a fool till I been to school.
Bet your life that I'm real cool.
I been around and I dug your sound.
Listen to me, baby: I know what you puttin' down. CHORUS

Now I think I'll fatten me one or two frogs for a few snakes.
Yes, I might 's well fatten four or five frogs for some snakes.
Since I got just a little bit more than what it would actually take,
I done changed my mind again: I'm not gonna fatten a frog for a snake. CHORUS

Fattenin' frogs for snakes, (4x)
If I ain't got just what it takes,
I just won't fatten frogs for snakes.
Fattenin' frogs for snakes, (4x)
If I ain't got just what it takes,
I just won't fatten frogs for snakes.
You snake!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs by Mobile Strugglers
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 09 Dec 17 - 09:51 PM

Mr.Dixon,

You are an amazing wonder.
    Less than 48 hours and within less than 20 minutes you have posted the inner guts of a master's thesis.

Thank You for your skills and passion.


Sincerely,
Gargoyle

You truly are a Mudcat Hound of Heaven and Hell.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs by Mobile Strugglers
From: GUEST,Howlvis
Date: 10 Dec 17 - 02:55 AM

That's the one, in the middle there. Lots of other good stuff, someone could do a whole Fattenin' Frogs themed set if so inclined.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs (Mobile Strugglers)
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 10 Dec 17 - 09:06 PM

Mr. Howlvis,

For the future motivation, of future Mudcat hounds.

When and where did you first hear this song?
Live, recording, bootleg?
Why/What has kept your interest to seek it out?I

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

You have what it takes...I heartily encourage you to become a "member.- The price is right, it's FREE.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs (Mobile Strugglers)
From: GUEST,Howlvis
Date: 12 Dec 17 - 01:12 AM

Gargoyle, I have a calendar of blues artists, this song by Mobile Strugglers is the song for December. I am considering putting together my own arrangement.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs (Mobile Strugglers)
From: keberoxu
Date: 26 Apr 21 - 10:32 PM

Joe Offer put this lyric on another thread,
actually,
the one about Before They Close the Minstrel Show.

Refreshing this thread
in honor of
Joe Offer being driven distracted
by the frogs around his home.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs (Mobile Strugglers)
From: Jos
Date: 29 Apr 21 - 06:11 AM

Every time I run my eye down the list of threads, I see this as "Flattening Frogs".
Not at all the same, but equally bad news for the frogs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs (Mobile Strugglers)
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 29 Apr 21 - 10:26 AM

Road-kill frogs !

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fattenin' Frogs (Mobile Strugglers)
From: keberoxu
Date: 29 Apr 21 - 12:50 PM

Of course,
Joe Offer probably feels
a lot like flattening a few frogs.

But then,
the occasional rattlesnake
does turn up in his front yard.

Wonder if rattlesnakes fancy frogs,
I always thought that
they went for rabbits and rodents and such.