Origins: In the Jailhouse Now

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Fortunato
Date: 28 May 02 - 11:56 AM

Rick I don't know anymore than you do, but I've emailed Dick Spotswood who does know this stuff. I'll let you know if he comes up with anything. regards, Chance

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 28 May 02 - 12:19 PM

Thanks Chance.

Rick

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 03:16 PM

The first recording? BVE41740-2, I'm In the Jailhouse Now, Jimmie Rodgers, April 26, 1928. Doesn't help with the copyright date, however. Rodgers discography

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 03:41 PM

Rodgers Songs all copyright Peer International Corporation 1928-1948. This was Ralph Peer of Victor. Now PeerMusic Limited. Now part of BMI? You should be able to get the data from them.

They are involved in a number of infringement lawsuits that they have brought against unlicensed users of material copyrighted by them.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 May 02 - 05:35 PM

Here's the entry on "IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW NO. 2" from Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy. I'm confused. It seems to indicate that Jimmie Rodgers may have performed an earlier version which might have been traditional?

"Regarding Jimmie's revival of those old songs of American ballad fame, such as 'Frankie And Johnny,' 'He's In The Jailhouse Now' and others, reviewers the country over marveled because of his ability to take those old standbys and make engaging novelties out of them. He made them 'come into their own' . . . 'Jailhouse' was for Jimmie such a surprise hit everywhere—even though it had been done for years—that Mr. Ralph Peer urged him to work out an original song along the same lines for a 'Jailhouse Blues Number 2.' Jimmie did—in about twenty minutes; in fact, while we were waiting for breakfast to be sent up in a hotel in Hollywood. He had it ready for recording the next morning, using the portable equipment Mr. Peer had brought to California for him." —Mrs. Carrie Rodgers

So, what's the song that "had been done for years"?
By the way, Stewie posted most of this same quote on the previous thread - but he apprently got it from a biography of Rodgers.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Jeri
Date: 28 May 02 - 06:36 PM

There's a copyright on Jailhouse Blues (is this the same song?), writers listed are Bessie Smith and Clarence Williams. There's no date on the page.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Jeri
Date: 28 May 02 - 06:55 PM

From The Folk Music Index:
(The index is by no means all-inclusive. If Jailhouse Blues is where the Rodgers song came from, there's GOT to be an earlier recording.)

Jailhouse Blues

Hopkins, Lightning (Sam). Blues in my Bottle, Prestige Bluesville OBC-506, LP (196?), cut# 7

Watson, Doc and Merle. Pickin' the Blues, Flying Fish FF-352, LP (1985), cut# 6 (Jail House Blues)

Wilkins, Robert. Original Rolling Stone, Herwin 215, LP (1980), cut#B.02

In the Jailhouse Now - Rodgers, Jimmie

Bookbinder, Roy; and Fats Kaplan. Git-Fiddle Shuffle, Blue Goose 2018, LP (1975), cut#B.02 (He's in the Jailhouse Now)

Cooney, Michael. Singer of Old Songs, Front Hall FHR-007C, Cas (1976), cut# 10 (I'm in the Jailhouse Now)

English, Logan. American Folk Ballads, Monitor MF 388, LP (196?), cut#B.03 (He's in the Jailhouse Now)

Jackson, John. Deep in the Bottom, Rounder 2032, LP (1983), cut# 9 (He's in the Jailhouse Now)

Reed, Bud. Way Out On The Mountain, Folkways FTS 31092, LP (1982), cut# 2

Rodgers, Jimmie. First Sessions, 1927-28, Rounder 1056, LP (1990), cut# 11

Rodgers, Jimmie. Short But Brilliant Life of Jimmie Rodgers, RCA (Victor) LPM-2634, LP (1963), cut# 4

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 07:43 PM

"Jailhouse Blues" copyrighted 1931 by Bessie Smith, renewed 1974 by Frank Music Corporation. Not the same as "(He's) In the Jailhouse Now." See Jailhouse Blues for lyrics.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Mark Ross
Date: 28 May 02 - 07:52 PM

The Roy Bookbinder IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW is the Pink Anderson version. Rogers version of the song isn't as complex musically or lyrically.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 07:53 PM

As noted in the other thread, "Jailhouse Blues" is a completely different song.

Trying to find data on Blind Blake recording on Paramount Records (old defunct label, not the ABC-Paramount label), contained on Document Records Blind Blake, vol. 2, "He's In The JailHouse Now." Nothing beyond the date 1927-1928 on the album. Nothing in the Mills collection on this recording (but Paramounts records were destroyed in part in a fire).

As a result, so far can't find date or copyright on Blind Blake's recording- could be taken from Jimmie Rodgers (1928), or- was Blind Blake first by a year or less??? It is also possible that there is an error in Document's attribution, but the clip sounds all right.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Stewie
Date: 28 May 02 - 07:54 PM

Paul Oliver's discussion still remains the most comprehensive re earlier recordings. References to recordings by Jim Jackson, Blind Blake, Whistler etc are in the Campbell thread.

Click Here

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 07:58 PM

My error- Jailhouse Blues, Bessie Smith, first copyrighted in 1923, not 1931.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 08:11 PM

Memphis Jug Band recorded "In the Jailhouse Now" in 1930, according to Yazoo Records.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Stewie
Date: 28 May 02 - 09:47 PM

Dicho, that reference is given in the Campbell thread - 21 November 1930. However, Oliver notes that the name on the record was the Memphis Sheiks who were essentially the Memphis Jug Band with Charlie Nicholson taking vocals. It was the only recording done under that name.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 11:45 PM

Yes, Stewie, a lot of information but no answers for Rick Fielding's friend as to "EARLIEST" copyright. Were either of the unissued Jackson takes copyrighted? Or the Whistler version? And were either of these "Jailhouse Blues" and not "He's In the Jailhouse Now."? Whistler's seems to be of that song if I read the posts a-right.
If you have the books, perhaps you can check them for possible data on copyright.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Stewie
Date: 29 May 02 - 01:17 AM

Dicho, sorry but can't help with copyright. Jim Jackson's 'He's in the jailhouse now' of 10 October 1927 was unissued, but his recording under the same title on 22 January 1928 was issued as Vocalion Vo 1146. The 25 September 1924 recording by Whistler was under the title 'Jail House Blues' and issued as Gennett 5614.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 29 May 02 - 09:42 AM

Thanks a ton folks. I'll pass this on to Mose today. Didn't know about Whistler's version. That might be the first recording.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Fortunato
Date: 29 May 02 - 11:12 AM

Rick,

Dick Spotswood feels that Rodgers is probably the first copyright 1928, but recordings include (as mentioned above) Blind Blake (Yazoo 2058) and Memphis Jug Band (Yazoo 2059).

Nothing new here, but I think that's all there is to be had. Chance

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Fortunato
Date: 29 May 02 - 11:28 AM

Dick Spottswood is a music scholar here in DC with a wonderful radio show that focuses on just this kind of music. Dick, through his show, has contributed much to what I know about ethnic music between the wars, where I am primarily focused as well.(Though I mostly leave the blues of that period to blues musicians and focus on the Old Time Country)Here's a description of him and his show. Catch it if you can! The Dick Spottswood Show

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Fortunato
Date: 29 May 02 - 11:32 AM

Dick's Program description and time

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 May 02 - 03:57 PM

I doubt that Whistler's was the first. It looks like he used Jailhouse Blues, not the same song at all. Has anyone access to the Gennett recording?

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 29 May 02 - 04:27 PM

Thanks again folks.

I've never seen the "Whistler" one on any compilation, but did see a two minute newsreel clip of he and his band made in 1930.

Rick

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Stewie
Date: 29 May 02 - 08:18 PM

Dicho, I don't have the Gennett recording, but it is a related song. Oliver quotes the following from Whistler's - Buford Threlkeld's - 'Jail House Blues' [p91 'Songsters and Saints']. It may be the complete text:

I went out last Friday
I met a big brown girl named Idie,
I told her I was the swellest coon layin' around in town
She started to call me honey
You know I got [hip?] and started to spend my money
We took in every cabaret and buffet in town
We were striking every minute
I made sure I was in it
I was buying Jamaica gin just by the gallon
But when I went to pay that man
I found that poor gal's hand
In my pocket where my money was
She's in the graveyard now
She's in the graveyard now
I told the judge right to his face
That woman's hand was out of place
She's in the graveyard now

He noted also that the version by Earl McDonald's Original Louisville Jug Band 3 years later had only slight changes in words.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 May 02 - 09:56 PM

"In the graveyard now" and the meter definitely relate Whistler's "Jail House Blues" to "In the Jailhouse Now" and not to the Bessie Smith "Jail House Blues."

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Stewie
Date: 29 May 02 - 10:23 PM

Dicho, my apologies, I misinterpreted your earlier post. I thought you were suggesting that the Whistler version was related to the Bessie Smith song. It seems clear that Whistler's was the first recording of a song that has strong similarities with what Rodgers later recorded.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,Moleskin Joe
Date: 30 May 02 - 11:10 AM

When Hamish Imlach used to sing Campbell he always sang the last verse "She's in the graveyard now!" which always caught out chorus singers who hadn't heard it before.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,Phil aka Delta Dan
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 05:13 PM

Anyone got tab for Blind Blake's version. I thought his was the original

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 07:45 PM

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,Richie
Date: 31 Oct 06 - 07:49 PM

There's a version here: http://www.guitaretab.com/c/cooney-michael/3945.html

Not Blind Blake's tho.

His version is the earliest recorded version I believe although several jug bands played it before he recorded it.

Not sure if anyone has found the author, altho the song is identified with Jimmy Rodgers.

Richie

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,Barry M
Date: 11 Nov 06 - 11:46 AM

Theres no mystery about finding different versions of this one. The best understanding among blues historians is that the song goes back to about he 1860s and was a vaudeville standard. The whole POINT was to come u with new stories and verses, so many float around. And there are varations, as in Clifford Hayes' "Shes in the Graveyard Now", recorded with Earl McDonald's Original Louisville Jug Band in 1927--doubly interesting since Hayes later recorded with jimmie Rodgers, though not on the "Jailhouse: song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Mr Happy
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 09:03 AM

Now I know where the yodelling in 'O Brother is from:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=O5TmxohM0gU

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Mr Happy
Date: 17 Jul 07 - 09:06 AM

Also Jimmy Rogers:http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iuveSpFCOg0

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 03:47 AM

"Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW (Guy Clark)^^
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 01 - 12:08 PM

Guy Clark has some different lyrics in a version he recorded circa 1980:
------------------

This is pretty much the version that Johnny Cash did in 1974 (as to be found on the "Ring of Fire" album).

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW (Soggy Bottom Boys)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 12:18 PM

Here's the Soggy Bottom Boys version from YT here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=f2dqgUkJOvs

He's in the jailhouse now. Jimmie Rodgers.

I had a friend named Ramblin Bob
He used to steal gamble and rob
He thought he was the smartest guy around
Well I found out last Monday that Bob got locked up Sunday
They've got him in the jailhouse way downtown

He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
Well, I told him once or twice to stop playin cards and a-shootin dice
He's in the jailhouse now

[Yodelling]

Bob liked to play his poker
Pinochle, whist and euchre [yoker]
But shootin' dice it was his favourite game
But he got throwed in jail, with nobody to go his bail
The judge done said that he refused the fine

He's in the jailhouse now
He's in the jailhouse now
Well, I told him once or twice, to stop playing cards and shootin dice
He's in the jailhouse now

[Yodelling]

Well I went out last Tuesday
I met a girl named Suzie
I said I was the swellest guy around
Well we got to spendin' my money, and she started to callin' me honey
We took in every cabaret in town

We're in the jailhouse now
We're in the jailhouse now
Well I told that judge right to his face, I don't like to see this place
We're in the jailhouse now

[Yodelling]

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Amos
Date: 08 Mar 08 - 03:30 PM

And here's a parody I wrote for the Alternative Health industry, from The Mudcat Songbook

A

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Mr Happy
Date: 09 Mar 08 - 06:41 AM

Amos,

Nice one!!

Subject: RE: i concur -- the song probably goes way back
From: GUEST,just another mutterer
Date: 19 May 08 - 05:49 PM

Jim Jackson does seem to have the oldest recording of In The Jailhouse Now -- his variant has Campbell and Lotte (J.R. Cash has Campbell also) -- if i recall correctly -- all Rodgers did was to change the names and the games (from pinocle and euchre to dice and poker) a bit -- the other variant is the political version (She's In The Graveyard Now) performed by Clifford Hayes, Earl McDonald et al. -- and the location is New York City and the dodge is paying for votes and voting twice, etc. -- that's the version the Memphis Jug Band performed as In The Jailhouse Now (but never seems to have been covered since) -- my childhood memories of the song (circa 1950) is the Webb Pierce "Ramblin' Bob" version, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XILPUjF232M -- i also like the version Leon Russell did on his salute to his roots album "Hank Wilson's Back"

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,boisesmith
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 06:32 PM

I own an original copy of the songbook "Jimmie Rodgers (America's Blue Yodeler) Album of Songs No. 2". The songbook contains music and lyrics for 20 of his songs. It has a 1931 copyright by Southern Music Pub. Co..

The first song listed on the contents page is "Jailhouse No. 2 (In the Jailhouse Now)". The listing also shows this as Victor Record - 22523.

The sheet music, on pages 4 and 5, shows the title as "In the Jailhouse Now - No. 2", "Words and Music by JIMMIE RODGERS".

On the bottom of the page 4 is "Copyright 1930 by Southern Music Pub. Co., Inc."

The lyrics are the 3 chorus "Campbell" version.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,bob jennings
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 12:02 PM

I've heard a brilliant set of words + guitar picking by a long-ago singer called Pinky Anderson. I'd like to know more about him.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 12:48 PM

That's Pink Anderson from South Carolina who was one of the last of the medicine show players. He made two or three albums the label escapes my mind at present I'm not in front of my shelves, plus
half an album on Riverside which he shared with Gary Davis.
I particularly like the verse that includes the bit "instead of voting once he voted twice" etc.
Nice version.

His pre-WW2 recordings were even better I think.
Hoot

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,Moss Bliss
Date: 19 May 09 - 06:04 AM

R. Crumb and his Cheap Suit Serenaders have a decent version that seems to be a compilation of these, or from different sources... they start with Campbell, and the voting bit goes, "I told Billy on the phone, to leave them white people's business alone"... and then goes to Idy, with the singer killing her for being in his pants "where my money was"... then goes into "She's in the graveyard now," and the last line is "and I'm in the jailhouse now". Don't know if I have this recording, but R. Crumb got pretty pseudopopular in the 70s (also a good underground comics artist).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: NCHillbillyFan
Date: 29 Jun 09 - 11:48 AM

There have been a couple of interesting threads about the song "In the Jailhouse Now" and its various early recorded versions/lyrics and earliest copyright dates over the past few years.

I just read a new book that I though Mudcat folks might find really interesting with regard to that song -- the book has a 1915 copyrighted version of the song (with lyrics) and traces the song through a whole bunch of earlier versions -- provides lots more information and lyrics than even Paul Oliver's _Songwters and Saints_ book.

Check out _The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers_ (by Neal -- Indiana University Press, 2009). It's only about $15 on Amazon.com or BN.com.

Lyrics from the 1915 version include:

"I got a brother he is a voter
Also a great promoter
And always looking for some good advice
Bill told him at the polls
To vote with all his heart and soul
But instead of voting once he voted twice"

Subject: Lyr Add: HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 07:58 PM

Here's a version performed by Earl McDonald's Original Louisville Jug Band, 1927. This is my transcription from the sound file at The Internet Archive:

HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
(version by Earl McDonald's Original Louisville Jug Band, 1927)

1. Now 'member last election
When our folks was in action
They tried to get a good man for president.
I had a big brother named Otis(?),
Very swell promoter.
He was always lookin' for swell advice,
So I told him to go right down to the polls,
Vote for him with heart and soul.
Place of voting once, he voted twice.
And now he's down in jail,
No one to go his bail.
The judge said he should have give him life. (Where's that boy?)
He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
We told that boy 'fore he left home
To let them politics alone.
He's in the jailhouse now.

2. Now up in New York City,
Folks thought it was a pity
That the landlords had to raise that rent so high.
We hustled round that town.
In all our hustlin' round,
We could not raise that rent no way we tried.
My mother took in washin'.
My sister done the ironing.
I helped around the town by shining shoes.
But my daddy walked around
Like he owned New York town,
Spending all mama's money buyin' moonshine booze.
He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
As fast as Ma could get that rent,
Pa was stealing ev'ry cent.
He's in the jailhouse now.

3. Now I went out last Friday.
I met a big fat girl named Ida.
She thought I was the swellest coon in town.
She commenced to call me honey.
Naturally, I begin to spend my money.
We took in ever' cabaret that could be found.
We were drinkin ev'ry minute.
I thought I was in it.
I was buyin' Jamaica ginger by the pound.
But when I went to pay that man,
I found little Ida's hand
Right in my pocket where my money was. (Where's Idy?)
She's in the graveyard now.
She's in the graveyard now.
I told that judge right to his face
Ida's hand was out of place.
She's in the graveyard now.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 08:04 PM

The Online 78rpm Discography Project lists these recordings (in approximate order by date):

HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Blind George Martin (a.k.a. Blind Blake), 11/??/27
HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Jim Jackson, 01/22/28
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Jimmie Rodgers, 02/15/28
I'M IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Frankie Wallace, 06/18/28
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Frankie Wallace & His Guitar, 06/18/28
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Frankie Marvin, 06/??/28
I'M IN JAILHOUSE NOW, Boyd Senter's Senterpedes, 02/06/29
I'M IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Arkansas Woodchopper, 10/17/29
I'M IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, West Virginia Rail-splitters, 10/17/29
HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Bill Bruner, 03/19/30
HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW NO.2, Jimmie Rodgers, 7/12/30
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW #2, Gene Autry, 11/06/30.
HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW #2, Gene Autry, 11/19/30
HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW NO.2, Gene Autry, 11/20/30
HE'S IN JAILHOUSE NOW, Memphis Jug Band, 11/21/30
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Billy Mitchell, 04/04/36
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Tommy Duncan, no date (circa 1949-50?)
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, Webb Pierce, 12/??/54.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: In the Jailhouse Now
From: NCHillbillyFan
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 02:46 PM

That's what makes this new book so interesting -- it goes back more than a full decade earlier than any of those other versions, and has the printed lyrics in it.

It traces the lyrics not only from 1915 up to the Earl McDonald 1927 version but also through a bunch of other variants as well. Definitely worth checking out. The book's appendix has a bunch of other covers not on the Online 78 RPM Discography project, as well.

Subject: Lyr Add: HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW (Blind Blake)
From: GUEST,Alanon
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 04:37 AM

Sorry to cut in, but Blake's rendition of the song is totally different, and given that he recorded it prior to most artists, gains in credibility:

HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
As recorded by Blind Blake, 1927. (Paramount 12565)

Remember last election,
Ev'rybody was in action,
Tryin' to find themselves a president.
There was a man named Lawson,
From New York down to Boston,
Representin' the colored people we have sent.

My brother was a voter,
Also a great promoter,
Goin' 'round givin' advice.
He'd go round to the poll and vote,
'Stead of voting once he voted twice.

He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
We got him downtown in jail,
No one to go his bail.
He's in the jailhouse now.

I went downtown last Friday,
I met a gal named Lidy,
I thought she was the swellest gal in town.
She start to call me honey.
I thought to spendin' money.
We went into a café and set down.

I thought that I was in it,
Buyin' a drink a minute,
Buyin' wine, champeen by the doz. [=dozen?]
When I went to pay that man,
I found that lady's hand
In my pocket where my money was. (They got 'er.)

She's in the graveyard now.
She's in the graveyard now.
When I went to pay that man,
I found that old gal hand.
She's in the jailhouse now.

She's in the jailhouse now.
She's in the jailhouse now.
When I went to pay that man,
I found that lady's hand.
She's in the jailhouse now.


This is from his 1927 Paramounts Records take, with Gus Cannon on banjo...

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: In the Jailhouse Now (P Anderson)
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 09:51 AM

A couple of months ago I made copies of the original sheet music that is archived at the Sam DeVincent Sheet Music Collection at the Smithsonians American History Museum. Words by W.m. j. McKenna. arranged by Merle T. Hendrick. fron 1930.

They are posted in my www.box.net account here:

http://www.box.net/shared/fo4yhh89n1

Subject: Lyr Add: HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 11:53 PM

Thanks to GutBucketeer for making the sheet music available. Here's my transcription. Now we need someone to make an ABC file.

Also, the sheet music has chords for ukulele, but I didn't bother inserting them here, because I doubt anyone would want to play them as written. You'd probably want to weed out the excessive chord changes, and maybe transpose to a different key. I'll leave that task to someone more musically literate than I.


HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
Words by Wm. J. McKenna. Arranged by Merle T. Kendrick.
New York: Denton & Haskins, 1930.

1. When six-foot Henry Wicker
Filled up on corn licker,
He was the toughest colored boy in town,
He said, "I'll clean the place up,
Smash ev'rybody's face up,"
And man, he did some colored folks up brown.
He lick'd 'em, brown and yellow,
Beat up all the fellows,
Had 'em running crazy, ev'ry man.
Yes, Henry went along all right
Until he tried to fight
Three hundred pounds of gal, big Betsy Ann.

CHORUS 1: He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
The moral: You can lick the men;
Fight women, it's "Bang-bang! Amen!"
He's in the jailhouse now.

2. A high brown gal, so fancy,
Said her name was Nancy.
She blew in town one Sunday afternoon,
And she was sure a daisy.
She set the boys all crazy.
Just look at her, you saw a honeymoon.
One night in my tin Lizzie,
Boy, she had me dizzy.
You should see the way she carried on.
She hugged and squeezed me like a bear.
I had to fight for air.
When I got home, I found my watch was gone.

CHORUS 2: She's in the jailhouse now.
She's in the jailhouse now.
The judge said, "Ten years, more or less,"
And now she's got a new address.
She's in the jailhouse now.   

3. Last year around election,
Down here in our section,
A friend of mine thought up a scheme so neat:
"I'll sell votes in dozens.
I'll be my own cousins,
Get myself a home on every street."
He voted through the city.
Scheme was working pretty.
Each vote brought a five-spot, new and nice.
A great idea came through his brain:
"Vote ev'ry ward a gain.
The opposition's paying double price."

CHORUS 3: He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
He tried to stuff the ballot box.
Now he makes sand out of rocks.
He's in the jailhouse now.

4. The gals liked Jimmy Ransom.
He was big and handsome.
He sure did give the women heart disease.
He'd marry one on Sunday,
And leave her flat on Monday,
Beat her out of all her coin with ease.
Jimmy married plenty.
Must have swindled twenty.
How those ladies fell for Jimmy's tricks!
A widow woman was his fate.
He found out when too late
That widow knew her stuff—she'd buried six.

CHORUS 4: He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
The widow got wise to his game.
Now he'll never look the same.
He's in the jailhouse now.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: In the Jailhouse Now (P Anderson)
From: Mr Happy
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 10:17 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5TmxohM0gU

Subject: Lyr Add: HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW (Blind Blake)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 01:43 PM

I have listened to Blind Blake's version on YouTube, and there are a few words I hear differently than in Alanon's version posted above.


HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
(As sung by Blind Blake)

Remember last election?
Ev'rybody was in action
Tryin' to find themselves a president.
There was a man named Lawson,
From New York down to Boston,
Representin' the colored people we have sent.
My brother was a voter,
Also a great promoter,
Goin' round givin' advice.
They* go down to the poll an' vote.
[He seems to skip a line here. It should rhyme with "vote."]
'Stead of voting once we* voted twice.

He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
We got him downtown in jail,
No one to go his bail.
He's in the jailhouse now.

I went downtown that Friday.
I met a gal named Lidy. [Diminutive of "Lida"]
I thought she was the swellest gal in town.
She start to call me honey.
I start to spendin' money.
We went into a café and set down.
I thought that I was in it,
Buyin' a drink a minute,
Buyin' wine, shampeen [=champagne] by the doz'. [Short for "dozen"]
When I went to pay that man,
I found that lady's hand
In my pocket where my money was. They got her!

She's in the graveyard now.
She's in the graveyard now.
When I went to pay that man,
I found that old gal' hand.
She's in the jailhouse now.

She's in the jailhouse now.
She's in the jailhouse now.
When I went to pay that man,
I found that lady's hand.
She's in the jailhouse now.


[* "He" would make more sense, but "they" and "we" are what I think I hear.

[It seems odd that he switches from "graveyard" to "jailhouse" in the second chorus, which makes no sense. (How could she be both in the graveyard and in the jailhouse?) My theory is that he was accustomed to singing an additional verse where someone ended in the graveyard, but he had to omit that verse to fit the song on a 78 rpm record, and got confused while trying to sing his shortened version. I wonder how many songs have been altered in this way, and how many verses have been lost?]