Lyr Req: for 2 different songs

Subject: for 2 different songs
From: Kim Hughes
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 07:25 PM

Hi --

I've been looking for ages for the rest of the lyrics to two songs that I only know a snatch of, as follows:

My mother told me of the first, which she said had a chorus that ended, "It takes a tall, dark, long legged gal to make a preacher lay the bible down."

The second I heard once in Ireland, and the only part I can remember is, "Remember when you were young yourself, come in and pull down the blind."

I know it's not much to go on, but any help would be appreciated --

tx, Kim

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for 2 different songs
From: Burke
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 07:41 PM

Looks like your 2nd is in the Database: COME IN AND PULL DOWN THE BLINDS

Subject: Lyr Add: KNOCKIN' DOWN WINDOWS^^
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 08:06 PM

Found at Harry's Blues Lyrics Online:

KNOCKIN' DOWN WINDOWS
(Mance Lipscomb)

Goin' uptown, what do you want me to bring you back?
Yes, I'm goin' uptown, what do you want me to bring you back?
I was knockin' down windows, tearin' down doors,
Tryin' to get even with a girl I love.

A brownskin woman make a preacher lay his bible down.
Tell me, a brownskin woman'll make a preacher lay his bible down.
I'm both knockin' down windows, was tearin' around doors,
Tryin' to get even with a girl I love.
Brownskin woman'll make a preacher lay his bible down.

An' a jet-black woman'll make a rabbit hug a hound.
An' a jet-black woman'll make a rabbit hug a hound.
Knockin' down windows, was tearin' around doors,
Was tryin' to get even with a girl I love.
Make a rabbit hug a hound.

[Recorded on "Texas Songster, Vol. 3: Texas Songster In A Live Performance," Arhoolie 1026, 1956.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for 2 different songs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 08:16 PM

Apparently there are several blues songs - maybe all variants of the same song - that contain the phrase, "make a preacher lay his bible down." To find the others, go to a search engine like Google and use "make a preacher lay his bible down" (in quotes) as your search argument.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for 2 different songs
From: GUEST,celticblues5
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 11:34 PM

This has probably been discussed before, but
"[type of woman] would make a [type of man/object][do something unusual/unnatural]" is a frequent blues construction - interesting folklorics

as in -
"a red-headed woman will make a man slap his daddy down" or "a long, tall woman will make a train jump the track" sorts of things - lots of clever combinations.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for 2 different songs
From: NightWing
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 12:05 AM

In Porgy and Bess, Crown sings ...

A red-headed woman make a choo-choo jump its track
A red-headed woman make that choo-choo jump right back
She's just nature's chile
She got somethin' that drives men wild
A red-headed woman gonna take ya whether you're white, yella, or black

... speaking of Bess.

BB,
NightWing

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for 2 different songs
From: Kim Hughes
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 06:31 PM

Wow, thanks everyone for all the help, and so fast!

regards, Kim

Subject: Lyr Add: DEACON JOHNSON^^
From: raredance
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 11:55 PM

This up tempo version was recorded by the Travellers 3 on their early 60's Elektra album "New Sounds"

DEACON JOHNSON

Oh well Deacon Johnson was a preachin' man
Came from a college down in Dixie land
He never missed a Sunday, rain or shine
He was always in the pulpit right on time
One day a dark eyed damsel blowed in town
Somebody started ---??--- 'round
Next Sunday morning found the church door locked
Was the only day that deacon left his lonely flock

It takes a long, tall dare eyed gal to make a deacon lay his bible down
For twenty years, joy passed me by
Now I'm gonna love her til I die
I always thought that preachin' was my line
Until I met that gal, she changed my mind
It takes a long, tall dare eyed gal to make a deacon lay his bible down

Oh well the deacon studied and he said at last
It ain't no use, my preachin' days are past
I'll never realize where heaven lies
'Til the day I gazed into my baby's eyes

It takes a long, tall dare eyed gal to make a deacon lay his bible down
For twenty years, joy passed me by
Now I'm gonna love her til I die
I always thought that preachin' was my line
Until I met that gal, she changed my mind
It takes a long, tall dare eyed gal to make a deacon lay his bible down

rich r

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for 2 different songs
From: mkebenn
Date: 09 Feb 01 - 06:48 AM

Yea, and me an' the Mrs are watchin' "The Thornbirds" tonight. Mike

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: for 2 different songs
From: raredance
Date: 09 Feb 01 - 07:01 PM

The should be "dark" eyed gal. I need a new keyboard, this one makes too many mistakes.

rich r