Origins: Chevrolet (Jim Kweskin)

Subject: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: Mrrzy
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 12:40 PM

OK, my computer won't let me search the trad so these may already be there...

I really have 2 questions. One is a LyrReq and the other a What is Going On Here?

In the song that goes:
A rich gal rides in an automobile
A poor gal do quite the same
My gal she got an old haywagon
You know she's getting by just the same.
CHORUS: I'll be there in the morning if I live, I'll be there in the morning if I don't get killed
If I never more see you again, be sure to remember me.
A rich gal she'll fight you, she'll bop you with a stick
A poor gal do quite the same
My gal got a rusty razor and run you all over town
You know she's (WHAT???) just the same.
Chorus
A rich gal she drinks good old whiskey
A poor gal drinks quite the same
My gal she drinks shoe polish, you know she's getting drunk just the same.
Chorus
A rich gal she'll kiss you, she'll kiss you awful sweet
A poor gal kiss quite the same
My gal spit back at you, she'll (slobber???) on your lip
You know she's loving you just the same.

OK, that's one..

Then there is a song about a guy trying to buy a woman's favor, I think:

(Man starts) I'm gonna buy you a Chevrolet (x3) if you'll do something for me, uh hunh, if you'll do something for me
(Woman answers) I don't want your Chevrolet (x3) and you can't do nothing for me, nooo, you can't do nothing for me
...diamond ring...
...cutting board...
...paper boat...
...paper cigar...
...Superball...(Final answer) I'll accept your Superball (x3) and you can do something for me anytime, you can do something for me...

So my question is, WHAT IS THIS SONG ABOUT? Why would she accept a dimestore toy but not a diamond ring or a car? Why would he even think of getting her a paper cigar? I am hoping that I am missing something here!

Thanks, all!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: RWilhelm
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 03:09 PM

I always thought "superball" had at least one other entendre. In Donovan's version he succeeds by giving her a sugar cube but then he was was the sunshine superman.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: Stewie
Date: 30 Nov 00 - 09:30 PM

The first one sounds like 'she's raisin' hell just the same'. The second could be 'slop all on' or 'slobber' as you suggest.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: Mrrzy
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 09:14 AM

Yes, raising hell, thanks. But I am still wondering about that Chevy lady...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: RWilhelm
Date: 01 Dec 00 - 02:27 PM

I have been curious about "Chevrolet" too because it sounds so good but doesn't seem to say anything. I think Kweskin's version was just Geoff and Maria Muldaur fooling around.

Geoff Muldaur recorded it again on his CD "Secret Handshake" using it as the start and end of a funky 7 min. jam. In this version he offers her a Chevrolet, a house and home, a watch and chain, and another house and home. She accepts the second house and home.

The original recording (I think) was in 1959 by a Mississippi fife and drum duo, Ed and Lonnie Young. I have never heard it so I don't know if it answers any questions.

Subject: Lyr Add: CAN I DO IT FOR YOU (Memphis Minnie)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jul 02 - 07:08 PM

The song "Chevrolet" has an interesting history. It seems that everyone who records it can't resist tinkering with the words a little, or a lot.

"Chevrolet" is often attributed to Ed and Lonnie Young. They were recorded by Alan Lomax, and their version is included in the 4-CD compilation "Sounds of the South", Atlantic #82496, 1993. You can hear a sound sample at CDNOW. However, the words are so unintelligible that it's hard to believe anyone learned to sing it from that recording.

Under the title "Chevrolet" it has also been recorded by Geoff and Maria Muldaur, Taj Mahal, Jim Kweskin, Foghat, the Black Crowes, Robben Ford and others.

When Donovan recorded a version of it, he called it "Hey Gyp (Dig the Slowness)". Under the name "Hey Gyp" it was also recorded Eric Burdon and the Animals, and others.

But here's another interesting (and old) version:

Copied from Harry's Blues Lyrics Online
http://blueslyrics.tripod.com/artistswithsongs/memphis_minnie_1.htm

CAN I DO IT FOR YOU (PART 2)
(Memphis Minnie)
Performed as a duet by Memphis Minnie (MM) and Kansas Joe (KJ).

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

CAN I DO IT FOR YOU (PART 2)
By Memphis Minnie
From Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1929-1930) (Document 5028)
Performed as a duet by Memphis Minnie (MM) and Kansas Joe (KJ).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: Mrrzy
Date: 31 Jul 02 - 10:07 AM

Interesting!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: GUEST,Etan
Date: 15 Sep 12 - 11:57 PM

I'm pretty sure there's a trad English song that's the basis for both "Chevrolet" and the "Mama Can I Lay It On You?" / "Baby Can I Follow You Down" / "Let Your Linens Hang Low" group of songs. I just can't remember the name of the song or find a version of it. It come from some collection of songs for children.

It ran something like this:

I'll buy you a diamond ring, x 2
If you will marry me sweet (? name ?)
If you will marry me.

I don't want your diamond ring, x 2
And I will not marry you (? name ?)
I will not marry you.

It more or less parallels Chevrolet, but with less horsepower.

It would be interesting to track this song to its roots because of the number of variants. Unfortunately, the song I'm thinking of may have been an old sounding modern song. Does anyone know the name and source?

-- Etan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Sep 12 - 05:36 AM

Keys Of Canterbury is a Traditional English song that would seem to be an inspitation for the 'modern' songs like Chevrolet

Subject: Lyr Add: A PAPER OF PINS
From: maeve
Date: 16 Sep 12 - 07:49 PM

Yes, as Leadfingers posted.

"Paper of Pins" is another in this vein. Sarah Makem's is a favorite of mine. There are several versions in the DT, and others in far-flung places.

There's a good one from Newfoundland, here:
http://www.wtv-zone.com/phyrst/audio/nfld/12/paperpins.htm

#01179
A Paper Of Pins (Collected By Kenneth Peacock) with videos

I'll give to you a paper of pins,
It is the way that love begins,
If you might marry me, me, me,
If you might marry me.

I won't accept your paper of pins,
If that's the way your love begins,
Sure I won't marry you, you, you,
Sure I won't marry you.

I'll give to you a suit of red,
Stitched around with golden thread,
If you might marry me, me, me,
If you might marry me.

I won't accept your suit of red,
Stitched around with golden thread,
Sure I won't marry you, you, you,
Sure I won't marry you.

I'll give to you a cloak of green,
To make you look like a fairy queen,
If you might marry me, me, me,
If you might marry me.

I won't accept your cloak of green,
To make me look like a fairy queen,
Sure I won't marry you, you, you,
Sure I won't marry you.

I'll give to you the keys of my heart,
Locked in love and never to part,
If you might marry me, me, me,
If you might marry me.

I won't accept the keys of your heart,
Locked in love and never to part,
Sure I won't marry you, you, you,
Sure I won't marry you.

I'll give to you the keys of my chest,
Plenty of money at your request,
If you might marry me, me, me,
If you might marry me.

I will accept the keys of your chest,
And plenty of money at my request,
Sure I will marry you, you, you,
Sure I will marry you.

Poor foolish girl don't think it's so,
It's only a joke from me you know,
Sure I wouldn't marry you, you, you,
Sure I wouldn't marry you.

"...Author unknown. A variant of a 19th-century nursery rhyme, The Keys Of Canterbury, collected by James Orchard Halliwell and published in 1846 as #DXXXIV in The Nursery Rhymes Of England, pp.229-230 ....####
This variant was collected in 1960 from Joshua Osborne of Seal Cove, White Bay, NL, by Kenneth Peacock and published in Songs Of The Newfoundland Outports, Volume 1, pp.22-23, by the National Museum Of Canada (1965) Crown Copyrights Reserved."

Subject: ADD: Chevrolet (Jim Kweskin Band)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Jul 20 - 02:08 AM

Well, let me make a stab at transcribing "Chevrolet" by the Jim Kweskin Band:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88C4ifQRes8

Maria Muldaur is the voice on the "answer" part of the song - who's the male singer? The earliest version of this song I can find is the Memphis Minnie version that Jim posted above. Foghat did an interesting version, too - the one I like best is by Jim Kweskin

CHEVROLET
(version by Jim Kweskin Jug Band)

Well, I'll buy you a Chevrolet,
I'm gonna buy you a Chevrolet,
I'm gonna buy you a Chevrolet,
If you'll do somethin' for me.
If you'll do somethin' for me.

I don't want a Chevrolet,
I don't want a Chevrolet,
I don't want a yellow Chevrolet,
And you can't do nothin' for me.
Oh, no, you can't do nothin' for me.


Well, I'll buy you a diamond ring,
I'm gonna buy you a diamond ring,
I'm gonna buy you a diamond ring,
If you'll do somethin' for me.
If you'll do somethin' for me.

I don't want your diamond ring,
I don't want your diamond ring,
I don't want your diamond ring,
And you can't do nothin' for me.
Oh, no, you can't do nothin' for me.

Well, I'll buy you a cutting board(?),
I'm gonna buy you a cutting board,
I'm gonna buy you a cutting board,
If you'll do somethin' for me.
If you'll do somethin' for me.

I don't want your cutting board,
I don't want your cutting board,
I don't want nothin' in the world you got,
And you can't do nothin' for me.
Oh, no, you can't do nothin' for me.

Well, I'll buy you a paper boat,
I'm gonna buy you a paper boat,
I'm gonna buy you a paper boat,
If you'll do somethin' for me.
If you'll do somethin' for me.

I don't want your paper boat,
I don't want your paper boat,
I don't want nothin' in the world you got,
And you can't do nothin' for me.
Oh, no, you can't do nothin' for me.

Well, I'll buy you a big cigar,
I'm gonna buy you a big cigar,
I'm gonna buy you a big cigar,
If you'll do somethin' for me.
If you'll do somethin' for me.

I don't want your big cigar,
I don't want your big cigar,
You can take your big cigar,
And you can't do nothin' for me.
Oh, no, you can't do nothin' for me.

Well, then, I'll buy you a super ball (??),
I'm gonna buy you a super ball,
I'm gonna buy you a super ball,
If you'll do somethin' for me.
If you'll do somethin' for me.

I'll accept your super ball,
I'll accept your super ball,
I could use a super ball,
And you can do somethin' for me, anytime.
And you can do somethin' for me.


Can anybody check this and offer corrections?

-Joe-

---

Foghat recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80pSQzFcIXo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 03 Jul 20 - 05:46 AM

I don't hear "a yellow" in stanza two, just "I don't want your Chevrolet".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: gillymor
Date: 03 Jul 20 - 05:55 AM

The male singer in "Chevrolet" posted by Joe sounds like Geoff Muldaur.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kweskin's Rich/Poor and Chevrolet
From: cnd
Date: 06 Jul 20 - 03:40 PM

Gerry is right about stanza 2, and I think cutting board is the right word. Super ball I can't confirm or deny, but it sounds better than anything I can come up with.

Subject: Lyr Add: CHEVROLET (Ed and Lonnie Young)
From: cnd
Date: 06 Jul 20 - 04:06 PM

Sorry Joe, hit post early; if you could do me a favor and delete the above post of mine to minimize confusion that would be appreciated.

The Ed and Lonnie Young lyrics are (transcribed from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO7CmhZ4N3U)

Gonna buy a watch and chain
Buy a watch and chain
I'ma buy you a watch and chain
Just to get something for you

I don't want no watch and chain
Don't want your watch and chain
I don't want nothin' of what ya got
You can't get nothin' for me

I wore it home
God, don't you know
I'm gonna buy you a diamond ring
Just to get something for you

I'ma take your diamond ring
Take your diamond ring
Take your diamond ring
And get it for something for you

I'll buy a Chevrolet
Buy a Chevrolet
I'ma buy you a Chevrolet
Just to get something for you

I don't want your Chevrolet
I don't want your Chevrolet
I don't want nothin' in the world you got
You can't get nothin' for me

Buy a railroad track
Buy a railroad track
I'll buy you a railroad track
Just to get something for you

Gonna buy a house and home
Buy a house and home
Gonna buy you a house and home
Just to get something for you

I don't want your house and home
Don't want your house and home
I don't want nothin' in the world you got
You can't get nothin' for me

Buy a railroad track
Buy a railroad track
I'ma buy you a railroad track
Just to get something for you

I don't want a railroad track
Don't want a railroad track
Way-ay, ay
Just get somethin' for you

Gonna buy a house and and home
Buy a house and home
I'ma buy you a house and home
Just to get something for you

I don't want no house and home
Don't want your house and home
I don't want nothin' in the world you got
You can't get nothin' for me

Buy you a watch and chain
Buy a watch and chain
I'm gonna buy a watch and chain
Just to get something for you

I don't want your watch and chain
Don't want your watch and chain
I don't want nothin' in the world you got
You can't get nothin' for me

I'ma buy you a railroad track
Buy you a railroad track
I'ma buy you a railroad track
Just to get something for you

I don't want your railroad track
Don't want your railroad track
I don't want nothin' in the world you got
You can't get nothin' for me

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chevrolet (Jim Kweskin)
From: GUEST,Ken
Date: 01 Mar 24 - 07:58 PM

Joe: The phrase "I could use a super ball" from long ago has been floating around my head for couple of years now, thought it was from The Jim Kweskin Jug Band but could never find a link to the actual lyrics..until now. Thanks, Ken