Origins: In the Jailhouse Now

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 01:56 PM

Earl and all, thanks. I've been looking for those words for sometime now. You also raised an interesting question about the song's origin. I am sure you know that Rodgers wrote two versions of the song, In the Jailhouse Now numbers 1 & 2. I think the Campbell version was number two.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: mousethief
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 11:41 AM

I have the CD which is half Pink and half Gary Davis, and it definitely sounds like he's saying "choin gong" -- presumbably a weird pronunciation of "chain gang". The words are slightly different from what you show; but the CD is at home and I'm at work so I can't post 'em now.

Alex
O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: RWilhelm
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 11:29 AM

Hi Stewie,

I realized I have the Riverside version too so I listened to that. Still can't make out that line but it sounds like hes voting "for" something. I'm not sure about "apeyard" the Riverside recording does sound like "eight yard" Neither one makes sense to me.

Jimmie Rodgers is usually given credit for writting this song but it was also recorded in the 20's by Blind Blake, The Memphis Jug Band and Whistler's Jug Band. Was Rodgers' version so popular that it was picked up by black songsters or did JR just rework an older song?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: Stewie
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 01:16 AM

Hi Earl, thanks for the transcription. I couldn't make out that line you queried either - at first, it sounded to me a bit like 'old mayor so-and-so', but that's not it. The recording I have is from a 1956 Riverside recording and has some differences with the version you transcribed. For instance:

He's on the rock pile now
He's on the rock pile now
I told Bill to go head home
And leave those white folks business alone
Bill's on the chewing gum now

Definitely sounds like 'chewing gum' or else he's saying 'chain gang' in a very strange accent. Are you sure about 'apeyard' in the last line? If so, do you know its derivation? Sounded like 'eight yard' to me, but that makes no sense.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW (Pink Anderson)^^
From: RWilhelm
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 08:55 PM

OK, I guess it is different enough. Here's "In the Jailhouse Now" as sung by Pink Anderson from the CD Pink Anderson Vol 2. Medicine Show Man. I couldn't make out the line with the question marks, I think its somthing ending with "soul"

IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
(Pink Anderson version)

I had an old friend name Campbell.
Campbell used to steal and gamble.
He made his living cheating all the while. (Yes, sir.)
Had a little game he called euchre,
Blackjack, dice, and poker.
He thought he was the smartest dude in town.

But I just found out Monday
Campbell got locked up Sunday.
They got him in the jailhouse down in town.
They got Campbell in the jail,
No one to go his bail.
That judge he won't accept no fine. (They got 'im.)

He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
I told Campbell once or twice
Stop playing cards and shooting dice.
He's up on Broad Street now.
(He's hardheaded, pay nobody no mind but they got 'im.)

I remember last election
When the white folks was in action,
Trying to get theyself a president.
A colored man by the name of Bill Austin
Walked from New York to Boston
Just to find a colored sentiment.

Now my brother Bill's a voter.
Bill's a great promoter.
He's always looking for some good advice.
So they told Bill to go to the poll
And vote for both ???? and soul(?).
Instead of voting once, the fool voted twice. (That settled it.)

He's on the rock pile now.
He's on the rock pile now.
I told Bill to stay at home
And let other people's business alone.
He's down in Woodruff now.
(Hardheaded you know, wouldn't pay nobody no mind but they got to put him somewhere. He ain't like me.)

I walked to the town last Friday.
I met a girl they called Idy.
I thought she was the prettiest girl in town. (Mmmmm!)
She began to call me honey,
And I began to spend all my money.
We walked into a swell café and set down.

Folks, I made sure I were in it.
I was spending every minute
Buying white whiskey, homebrew, and wine, everything by the quart,
But when I went to pay that man,
I found that lady's hand
In my pocket where my money was. (That settled it.)

She's in the graveyard now.
She's in the graveyard now.
I told the judge to his face
That woman's hand was out of its place.
She's in the apeyard now.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 06:43 PM

Would like to find these words too. While it is based on the Jimmie Rodgers songs the lyrics are definitely not the same.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: RWilhelm
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 04:42 PM

If it is the song I think it is, it is virually the same as Jimmie Rodgers' "He's in the Jailhouse Now." That should be easier to find.

Subject: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From:
Date: 22 Oct 00 - 04:38 PM

Desperate to get hold of the words and chords for this song. Anybody out there got them written down

Bd