Lyr Req: Kill it Kid

Subject: Kill it Kid
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 09:44 AM

I'm trying to find all the words to this Blind Willie Mctell tune. Not all the words on his recorded version are understandable. The only other version I've heard was done by Robin and Linda Williams and they sing just fast enough that again I just can't make certain words out.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kill it Kid
From: Lonesome Dave
Date: 28 Feb 00 - 06:45 PM

Paul Geremia does Kill It Kid on his CD Live From Uncle Sams Backyard(Red House 101). I don't type well enough to transcribe it but the lyrics come through loud and clear. He also does Dying Crapshooter Blues and Broke Down Engine on this CD. If you dig Blind Willie you should definitely check out Geremia.

Subject: Lyr Add: KILL IT KID (as sung by Paul Geremia)
From: GUEST,Elektra
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 03:20 PM

I just happened to have the CD _Live From Uncle Sam's Backyard_ handy and a few minutes to spare, so here is Paul Geremiah's version as best I can understand it:

Ya know
Down in Miami on Second Avenue
All the kids are trying to show what they can do
About that kill it kid

Well sister came, took brother Moe
Bounced the little sucker across the floor
Tryin' to do that doggone kill it kid

You ol' alligator babe
You ain't too old to shift them gears mama
Rock hard, spread your wings, fly a little

Talk about that kill it kid

(spoken)
Now don't worry 'bout what ya did -- what?

Dodge your ma?
Dodge your pa?
Get outta town and dodge the law

Yeah you can do the kill it kid
Uh-huh

(spoken)
Yeah? Is that right?
Aw, don't jump.

Yeah the reason grandma knows grandpa
He's always got the same old jive he had thirty years ago
when he used to do the kill it kid

(spoken)
[Yeeeaw -- what?
C'mon, you ain't to old to...]

Talk about that killer kid

I can kill it in a Cadillac
Kill it in a Ford
You can even jive it on a running board
But don't jump
Take your time
Kill it kid

I know a gal on ?? ?? ??
A little hot mama's got a leg of steel
And all kinds of stuff...
Aw, you old alligator babe
Ain't to old to shift them gears mama
Rock hard, spread your wings

Ow yeah
yeah

(spoken)
Talk about that kill it kid
Uh-huh
Don't worry 'bout what ya did

Yeah kill it in the country won't cost a dime
Kill it in town - FORTY dollar fine
Look out

Talk about that kill it kid

While I could hardly begin to transcribe Paul's finger-pickin' virtuousity, I could put a little audio snippet on my vestigial website just to give you an idea, if you're interested. I *HEARTILY* second the purchasing recommendation.

I have been fortunate enough to see him four times, three of which were in venues with less than 30 people. All I can say is, WOW!!!

*elektra*

HTML line breaks added. Better late than never, eh? --JoeClone, 7-Nov-01.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kill it Kid
From: GUEST,Elektra
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 03:32 PM

D'oh! It's been a while -- sorry I forgot about the formatting... =(

*elektra*

P.S. GUEST, Max?? And I've even *still* got my cookies. Just 'cause I don't visit as often anymore. Sheesh! ;-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kill it Kid
From: Stewie
Date: 29 Feb 00 - 09:03 PM

Geremia improvises quite freely on McTell's original - it is quite different. Here's a few suggested corrections to Elektra's transcription from Geremia:

L2 'Sister Kate took brother Moe ...

L9 'Yeah, the reason why grandma loves grandpa so ...

L12 'You can kill it in a Cadallic, kill it ...

L13 'I know a gal on Dago Hill (sounds like) Little hot mama's got a liquor still - all kinds of stuff ...

I have McTell's version only on a scratchy old Atlantic LP 'Atlanta Twelve String' and my cassette recorder (necessary tool for transcription) just died. I will have a bash at transcribing it for you in the near future if no one else can oblige.

What album have Robin and Linda recorded it on? I would be interested in hearing what they do with it. I'm just listening to their new album 'In the Company of Stangers' which came in the mail this morning - sounds nice.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kill it Kid
From: Elektra
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 09:50 AM

Your corrections are more accurate than my rough interpretation, I'm sure. =)

Not being familiar with other versions, I had no context to put it all in -- I was basically going from scratch in trying to hear what he was saying. Not knowing how true it was to Blind Willie, I just put in everything I (thought I) heard. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find Paul had taken a few liberties, at least in the scatty-spoken-y parts.

Jim being at least somewhat familiar with two versions himself (and Stewie and Dave at least one other) I defer to the judgement of my betters.

Grinnin' like a mule eatin' sawbriars,
*elektra*

P.S. I hope I remembered the line breaks right... otherwise this is going to look VERY silly -- sorry! *lol*

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kill it Kid
From: Stewie
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 11:03 AM

Elektra, you did all the hard work here. It's easy enough for someone else to come along afterwards and listen when a transcription is already set out for them. They only need attempt to decipher the problematic bits. When I first saw this thread, I listened to the 2 versions that I have - McTell and Geremia - and, in both instances, I thought transcription would take considerable effort and opted to pass. You got in there and made a transcription, thereby making it easy for others to listen again and make suggestions which you may or may not accept. You have inspired me to have a go at McTell's version and, hopefully, with careful listening by a few 'catters we may be able to arrive at a reasonable transcription for Jim's purposes. Alternatively, a better approach may be for Jim to post what he can understand and we can make suggestions and try to fill any gaps.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kill it Kid
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 01 Mar 00 - 12:48 PM

The version by Robin and Linda Williams is on their Shenandoah Moon album

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kill it Kid
From: Stewie
Date: 03 Mar 00 - 04:39 AM

Jim, that's one of their long gone June Appal LPs, isn't it? I only managed to get 'Harmony', a fine album - it was difficult to get that stuff in Oz back then.

As far as 'Kill It Kid' goes, if you can't be bothered posting what you can understand, and what you have difficulties with, I can't be bothered trying to assist you. There are not that many blues lyrics available - transcriptions are often difficult and the more people are willing to have a go at them, the better. I have checked: the lyrics to this song are not available at the main blues lyrics sites.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Req: Leather Britches
From: GUEST,Homeless
Date: 04 Mar 00 - 12:02 AM

I saw the lyrics to this tune once in a book in a library. When I went back for the book later to copy down the words, it was nowhere to be found... And the librarian claims that they never had the book. I've got a friend who plays the tune on hammered dulcimer, but wasn't aware that there were lyrics. Can anyone help me out? Oh yeah, the title might also be spelled "Leather Breeches"