Origins: Memphis Minnie 'Can I Do It For You

Subject: RE: Origins: Memphis Minnie 'Can I Do It For You
From: KarenH
Date: 08 Jul 18 - 01:13 PM

Sorry,

Appear to have found some possibilities, including 'Paper of Pins' and

'The Keys of Canterbury'.


And several Mudcat threads with lots of information on various possibilities.

And folk versions were found in the US of A.

So plenty to investigate there.

Still, I think it's an interesting 'link', even though I answered my own question.

Subject: Origins: Memphis Minnie 'Can I Do It For You
From: KarenH
Date: 08 Jul 18 - 06:14 AM

Memphis Minnie sang a duet called 'Can I Do It For You'; two versions I think. Recently I came across an old folk song (English I think) with a similar theme and approach, but not the same ending. There may have been several similar old songs. Not necessarily saying there is a real historical link, though there might be. Now I cannot find the reference for the folk song. I seem to recall Donovan singing a similar tune sometime.

Here are some words to the Minnie song.

KJ:
I'll buy your wood and coal, buy your wood and coal
Buy your wood and coal, if I can do something to you
Hear me saying, I want to do something to you
MM:
I don't want no wood and coal, I don't want no wood and coal
I don't want nothing in the world you got and you can't do nothing for me
Hear me saying, you can't do nothing for me
KJ:
Buy your shoes and clothes, buy your shoes and clothes
Buy your shoes and clothes, if I can do something to you
Hear me saying, I want to do something to you
MM:
I don't want no shoes and clothes, I don't want no shoes and clothes
I don't want nothing in the world you got, and can't do nothing for me
Hear me saying, you can't do nothing for me
KJ:
I'll buy you a Chevrolet, I'll buy you a Chevrolet
Buy you a Chevrolet, if I can do something to you
Hear me saying, I want to do something to you
MM:
I don't want no Chevrolet, I don't want no Chevrolet
I don't want nothing in the world you got, and you can't do nothing for me
Hear me saying, you can't do nothing for me
KJ:
Buy you a baby calf, buy you a baby calf
Buy you a baby calf if I can do something to you
Hear me saying, if I can do something to you
MM:
I don't want no baby calf, I don't want no baby calf
I don't want nothing in the world you got, and you can't do nothing for me
Hear me saying, you can't do nothing for me
KJ:
Can I do something to you, can I do something to you?
Do anything in this world I can, if I can do something to you
Hear me saying, if! can do something to you
MM:
Naw, you can't do nothing to me, naw, you can't do nothing to me
I don't care what in the world you do, you can't do nothing to me
Hear me saying, you can't do something to me
KJ:
Buy you a sedan Ford, buy you a sedan Ford
Buy you a sedan Ford, if I can do something to you
Hear me saying, if I can do something to you
MM:
I will take a sedan Ford, yes, I will take a sedan Ford
I don't want nothing in the world you got but I will take a sedan Ford
Hear me saying, I'll take a sedan Ford