Lyr Add: songs by Uncle Dave Macon

Subject: Lyr Add: PEEK-A-BOO (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 10:10 PM

PEEK-A-BOO

On a cold winter's eve when business is done
And to your home you return,
What a pleasure it is to have a bright, bouncing boy,
One that you love to admire
You'll hug him, you'll kiss him, you'll press him to your heart,
what joy to the bosom it will bring,
Then you'll place him on the carpet and hide behind the chair,
And to please him you'll commence to sing.

Chorus:
Oh, peek-a-boo, coochee coochee coo
Come from behind the chair,
Oh, peek-a-boo, you rascal you,
I see you hiding there.

Repeat chorus

When I am away from my home and at work,
He's at home with his mama's care so dear,
All the whole day long, you can hear his little song,
Echoing so calm and so clear,
His playthings on the floor, he's happy evermore,
What joy to his mama's heart he brings,
Then you'll find him on the carpet and watching at the door,
For me when I come home to sing

Oh, peek-a-boo, you rascal you
Come from behind the chair,
Oh, peek-a-boo, I see you,
I see you hiding there

Chorus

Source: Uncle Dave Macon & Smoky Mountain Glen 'Peek-A-Boo' recorded on 24 January 1938 in Charlotte, NC, and issued as Bluebird B7779 in October 1938.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: WOULDN'T GIVE ME SUGAR IN MY COFFEE
From: Stewie
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 01:58 AM

Here is a transcription of 'Wouldn't Give Me Sugar In My Coffee'. Any corrections?

WOULDN'T GIVE ME SUGAR IN MY COFFEE

Instrumental [banjo] introduction.

[Spoken] Hot dog! People, you know, a gentleman asked me last night what I was doing. I said, 'Well, sir, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I don't do anything'. He says, 'Well, what do you do on Thursday, Friday and Saturday?' I says, 'Why, I rest'. He says, 'You do anything on Sunday?' 'Oh, yes sir, that's my busiest day'. He says, 'What are you doing on Sunday?' I says, 'Getting ready to do nothing on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday'. Ha! Ha!

I'll be dogged if I can see,
How my little honey got away from me,
Been there once, I'm going home,
Wouldn't give me sugar in my coffee-o

Just one thing that bothers my mind,
A world full of women and none of 'em mine
Been there once, I'm going home,
Wouldn't give me sugar in my coffee-o

Well try to look for a needle in the sand,
Try to find a woman that's got no man
Been there once, I'm going home,
Wouldn't give me sugar in my coffee-o

Jaybird sitting on a hickory limb,
Picked up brickbat took him on the chin - hi-ho mister don't you do that again,
Brother, you'll kick the bark off a seasoned hickory limb
Been there once, I'm going home,
Wouldn't give me sugar in my coffee-o

Preacher went to Florida, the truth to tell, he went to Miami at a big hotel,
He went to the beach and the bathing was fine,
Sued for divorce in an hour's time
Been there once, I'm going home,
Wouldn't give me sugar in my coffee-o

Never you mind what your mammy say,
Shake your little foot and sail away,
Been there once, I'm going home,
Wouldn't give me sugar in my coffee-o

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Wouldn't Give Me Sugar In My Coffee' recorded on 8 September 1926 and issued as Vocalion 15440 in December 1926 [also as Vocalion 5002 in February 1927]. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Wait 'Till The Clouds Roll By 1926-1939' Historical LP HLP-8006 [1975].

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: OLD DAN TUCKER (from Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 30 Dec 02 - 09:10 PM

Here is Uncle Dave's take on 'Old Dan Tucker'. Words I am not sure about are in square brackets. The word in square brackets in the second spoken passage is an Uncle Dave creation of some sort.

OLD DAN TUCKER

Spoken:
Hello folks, you know I been a-pickin' and tryin' to pick a banjer for forty years or more. I used to just play the imitations, but now I'm a-gonna give you a little of the variations of 'Casey Jones'.

Instrumental

Spoken:
Gentlemen – now folks, I'm a-gonna give you a little of 'Old Dan Tucker' containing more heterogeneous, [ 'constapolicies ?'], double flavour and unknown quality than usual.

Old Dan Tucker was a fine old man,
Washed his face in the frying pan
Combed his hair with a wagon wheel
Died with a toothache in his heel

Git out of the way, Old Dan Tucker
You come too late to get your supper

Tucker was a horrid sinner
Never said grace over his dinner
The old hog squealed, the pig did squall
[Held ?] the whole hog with the tail and all

Git out of the way, Old Dan Tucker
You come too late to get your supper

Old Tom Wilson got on a drunk
Fell in the fire and kicked up a chunk
Charcoal got inside the shoe
I'll bet you, honey, how the ashes flew

Git out of the way, Old Dan Tucker
You come too late to get your supper

Here's to booze and Choctaw batter
Lemon extract and old Budweiser
[Horse ?] tastes bitterer'n the doctor's tonic
The good book says a little good for the stomach

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Old Dan Tucker' recorded on 13 April 1925 in NYC and issued as Vocalion 15033 in August 1925. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Fun In Life' Bear Family LP 15519.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: WAY DOWN THE OLD PLANK ROAD
From: Stewie
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 09:14 PM

Richie posted his transcription for 'Way Down The Old Plank Road'. I believe it is more accurate than the transcription already in the DT and linked to earlier in this thread. See Richie's 'My Wife Died On A Sat. Night' thread for associated songs: CLICK HERE


WAY DOWN THE OLD PLANK ROAD

[Spoken] Hot dog, buddy let's go

Rather be in Richmond, midst all the hail and rain,
Than for to be in Georgia boys, wearing that ball and chain.

Chorus:
Won't get drunk no more, won't get drunk no more,
Won't get drunk no more, way down the old plank road.

I went down to Mobile for to get on the gravel train,
Very next thing heard of me, had on a ball and chain.

Chorus

Doney, oh dear Doney, what makes you treat me so?
Caused me to wear the bail and chain, now my ankle's sore.

Chorus

[spoken] Glory halelujah there!

Knoxville is a pretty place, Memphis is a beauty,
Want to see them pretty girls, hop to Chattanoogie.

Chorus

[Spoken] Glory halelujah there! Fare thee well I'm gone!

I'm gwine to build me a scaffold on some mountain high,
So I can see my Dora girl, she goes riding by.

Chorus

My wife died Friday night, Saturday she was buried,
Sunday was my courting day, Monday I got married.

Chorus

[Spoken] Gee horse there!

Eighteen pounds of meat a week, whiskey here to sell,
How can a young man stay at home, pretty girls look so well.

Chorus

[spoken] Fare thee well!

Source: Uncle Dave Macon (with Sam McGee) 'Way Down The Old Plank Road' recorded on 14 April 1926 in NYC and issued as Vocalion 15321 in June 1926 and as Vocalion 5097 in February 1927. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Go Long Mule' County CO-CD-3505.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: SOURWOOD MOUNTAIN MEDLEY
From: Stewie
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 08:26 PM

Richie posted the lyrics of 'Sourwood Mountain Medley' to 'Molly Put the Kettle On' thread: Click Here for 'Molly' thread


SOURWOOD MOUNTAIN MEDLEY

[Spoken] Hello folks, I was walking down the street with one of the ugliest men I ever saw in my life. We passed a really pretty girl, and the ugly fellow said, 'Did you see that girl smile at me?' ' Well', I said, 'Good Lord, man, that's nothing. First time I saw you, I laughed outright. Ha, ha, ha!'

Asked that girl to be my wife, what'd you reckon she said,
She would not have a poor boy, if everyone else was dead.

Chorus:
Ain't gwine get no supper here tonight,
Ain't gwine get no supper here tonight.
Oh, my don't tell, Oh my ring the bell,
Ain't gwine get no supper here tonight,
Ain't gwine get no supper here tonight.

On my way to Sourwood Mountain, fare you well I'm a-going away,
Fare you well I'm a-going away.

Had a big boom in Florida, boys, we know it, we know it.
Forty-nine banks in Georgia closed and that's the way they showed it.

Oh, Jenny put the kettle on, Sally blow the dinner horn,
Jenny put the kettle on, the banks have gone.

Ain't gonna get no supper here tonight,
Ain't gwine get no supper here tonight.
On my way to Sourwood Mountain,
Fare you well I'm a-going away,

[Panic/Tax men] come the bank went broke, we know it, we know it.
Twenty-eight thousand dollars lost, and just the figures to show it.

Oh, Jenny put the kettle on, Sally blow the dinner horn,
Jenny put the kettle on, the banks have gone.

[spoken] I never was as hungry in my life, you know I hadn't had
nothing to eat for three long days, hadn't had a thing but
water. And folks I had had to drink so much water my stomach
thought my throat was taking in washing, and then they come
giving me this:

Ain't gwine get no supper here tonight,
Ain't gwine get no supper here tonight.

On my way to Sourwood Mountain, fare you well I'm a-going away,
Girls all sweet on Sourwood Mountain, fare you well I'm a-going away.

Good pay isn't in one town, we know it, we know it,
Three banks in the town went broke and the people's look do show it.

Oh, Jenny put the kettle on, Sally blow the dinner horn,
Jenny put the kettle on, the banks have gone.

Ain't gwine get no supper here tonight,
Ain't gwine get no supper here tonight.

Source: Uncle Dave Macon "Sourwood Mountain Medley" Vo 5005, reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Country Music Hall of Fame Series' MCA MCAD-10546.

Note: What is being sung in the square brackets in the first line of stanza 5 is a puzzle. Sounds something like 'panam' or 'panum'. 'Panic' and 'Tax men' are suggestions. See Richie's 'Molly' thread, linked at the beginning of this posting, for more discussion of this mystery.

--Stewie.


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Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 08:07 PM

Hi Guest

Thanks. I listened again to 'Over the Road I'm Bound to Go', but I am sure Uncle Dave is singing 'can't you see' - whoever did the transcription for the NLCR songbook also hears this. Your 'came to see' would certainly make more sense though.

The last line of the chorus of 'I'm Goin' Away in the Morn' is also a complete mystery to me. I've seen it as 'with sorrow in her heart', but I can't hear that either. Sometimes I hear something like 'sounds of the dinner horn'. Whatever it is, it is probable that the final word would rhyme with 'morn'.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,Over the Road
Date: 15 Dec 02 - 01:41 AM

Stewie posted Over the Road I'm Bound to Go in September. I think the first two lines are:

Judge and Jury came to see
I had murdered in the first degree

rather than "J&J can't you see" etc.


The lyric which puzzles me the most is the last line of the chorus to "I'm goin' away in the morn"

With sorrow in our hearts?????

Has inspiration struck anyone else?

Great thread; only happened upon it yesterday

Subject: Lyr Add: LONG JOHN GREEN (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 14 Dec 02 - 09:11 PM

LONG JOHN GREEN

Here we have the story of Long John Green
An old bank robber from Bowling Green
Put him in jail just the other day
And late last night he made his getaway

Long gone!
Wasn't he lucky
Long gone!
From old Kentucky
Long gone!
That's what I mean
He's done gone from Bowling Green

Long John a-standing on a railroad tie
Waitin' for a freight train to come by
Here come the freight just a-puffin' and a-flyin'
You oughta for to seen John catch that blind

Long gone!
Wasn't he lucky
Long gone!
From old Kentucky
Long gone!
That's what I mean
He's done gone from Bowling Green

Caught him in Bristol at Steven's Place
Put him in jail one evening late
Out on the house tops gonna escape
The coppers forgot to lock the Golden Gate

Long gone!
Wasn't he lucky
Long gone!
From old Kentucky
Long gone!
That's what I mean
He's done gone from Bowling Green

Long John went to a burlesque show
Got him a seat right in the front row
The girl come out with a [high-flown?] dance
They had to put a hole in an am-bu-lance

Source: transcription from 'The Tennessee Folklore Society Presents Uncle Dave Macon At Home, His Last Recordings 1950' Davis Unlimited LP DU-TFS 101.

For background information on this song, see the 'Long John/Lost John thread:

Click Here

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: SAVE MY MOTHER'S PICTURE FROM THE SALE
From: Stewie
Date: 04 Dec 02 - 01:44 AM

SAVE MY MOTHER'S PICTURE FROM THE SALE

I've been thinking of the day which has long since passed away
When my mother through sickness drooped and died,
In the quiet and silent room when they laid her in the tomb
I remember then how bitterly I cried

I, but a boy then, my age was scarcely ten,
Through sorrow, I had grown thin and pale
When the home had to be sold, I cried with grief untold,
Oh, save my mother's picture from the sale

The table where I played, the cot on which I laid
All passed away like chaff before the gale
But when the end came near, I cried with piteous fear,
Oh, save my mother's picture from the sale

My mother's face, that dear old face,
Whose loss I ever shall bewail
Don't break an orphan's heart, with this don't make me part
Oh, save my mother's picture from the sale

The picture round was passed, and questions they were asked.
A price for it was bid just here and there.
The tears streamed down my face, I could scarcely keep my place
When I saw the picture pass without a care

But an angel of a girl with a mass of golden curls
Who was struck to see my face so sad and pale,
Outbid them all, you see, and presented it to me
And saved my mother's picture from the sale

My mother's face, that dear old face,
Whose loss I ever shall bewail
Don't break an orphan's heart, with this don't make me part
Oh, save my mother's picture from the sale

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Save My Mother's Picture From the Sale' recorded on 16 April 1925 in NYC and issued as Vo 15100. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Fun In Life' Bear Family LP BF 15519.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: JUST FROM TENNESSEE (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 21 Nov 02 - 01:54 AM

Here is how I hear Uncle Dave's 'Just From Tennessee' - subject, as usual, to confirmation by other ears. I'm not certain of the 'eats greens' stanza, but the remainder should be pretty accurate.


JUST FROM TENNESSEE

Spoken: Hello folks, just as soon as I get the epiglottis and diaphonics of my throat cleared up a little, I'm gonna sing you a song. Now I'm gonna give you (a little of) the variations of 'Cotton-eyed Joe'.

Instrumental

Spoken: Hot dog! Ready and rarin' to go!

Listen, good people, to what I say
Just from Tennessee in my weavin'(?) way
Born(ed) in Warren County, raised in Tennessee
If you don't like my looks, don't look at me
Shout Lula, shout I say
Shout Lula, I'm gwine away
Whooo!
Shout Lula, shout I say
Shout Lula, I'm gwine away

Been to Muscle Shoals and I been to Beaver Dam
I've seen no place like Alabam
Shout Lula, shout I say
Shout Lula, I'm gwine away

I got a girl, says she's so tall
She sits in the parlour with her feet in the hall
Shout Lula, shout I say
Shout Lula, I'm gwine away

I got a girl, says she eats some greens
She shakes her wicked foot and she shakes it mean
Shout Lula, shout I say
Shout Lula, I'm gwine away

Coffee in the pot, there's sugar in the bowl
Papa won't eat without jelly roll
Shout Lula, shout I say
Shout Lula, I'm gwine away

Just one thing, and I don't understand
Why a bow-legged woman likes a pigeon-toed man
Shout Lula, shout I say
Shout Lula, I'm gwine away

Just one thing that makes me unhappy
I haven't got a daughter for to call me pappy
Shout Lula, shout I say
Shout Lula, I'm gwine away
Whooo!
Shout Lula, shout I say
Shout Lula, I'm gwine away
Whooo!

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Just From Tennessee' recorded on 13 April 1925 in NYC and issued as Vo 5075 in February 1927. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Early Recordings 1924-1925' Old Homestead OHCD 4184.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 19 Nov 02 - 10:43 AM

I second the chicken connection,relative to 'domenicker' adjective. Refer to Minnie Pearl's spirited rendition of the Carter Family's "Jealous Hearted me:" "Take your domenicker rooster and your shanghai hen/ Get a fer piece away and don't you come again, I'm jealous..."

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 11:08 AM

I have just spotted this thread with another Uncle Dave lyric.
Lyr Add: I Don't Reckon It'll Happen Again
The lyrics are a composite of two sets transcribed from the Honking Duck. One by Dave Macon and the other version by Bill Chitwood.
Quack!
GtD

Subject: Lyr Add: WEEVILY WHEAT (from Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 29 Sep 02 - 04:26 AM

'Weevily Wheat' came up in a thread creep in the 'Ida Red' thread and I posted Kelly Harrell's version, titled 'Charley He's a Good Ol' Man' there. Uncle Dave's version of 'Weevily Wheat' was printed in his 1938 songbook, but I don't think he recorded it. I'm am indebted to sometime Mudcatter, Larry Parish, for kindly photocopying the Macon songbook for me. You can find the other thread HERE.

WEEVILY WHEAT

' Way down yonder in the maple swamp
The water's deep and muddy
There I spied my pretty little miss
Oh there I spied my honey

Chorus:
Weevily wheat ain't fit to eat
And neither is your barley
Have some flour in half an hour
To bake a cake for Charley

How old are you my pretty little miss?
How old are you, my honey?
She answered me with a 'Yes sir-ee
'I'll be sixteen next Sunday'

Marry me, my pretty little miss
Oh, marry me my honey
She answered me with a 'Yes, sir-ee
'Just go and see my Mammy'

'Way down yonder in Bangor town
Once there lived a Quaker
Every man had to own some land
If not but half an acre

Charley he's a handsome man
Oh, Charley he's a dandy
Charley he's the very man
That sold his hat for brandy

Source: 'Songs and Stories of Uncle Dave Macon' Uncle Dave Macon c/o of WSM, Nashville Tennessee 1938. Copyright Uncle Dave Macon 1938. Reprinted by the Tennessee Folklore Society.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 28 Sep 02 - 06:35 AM

Whoops - wrong clicky cut and pasted into the above posting. The clicky to Honking Duck should have been HONKING DUCK WEBSITE - OLDTIME MUSIC RECORDINGS ONLINE
If any joeclones could correct the link and remove this post I might keep some reputation........ probably not!
Quack!

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 28 Sep 02 - 06:27 AM

A couple of days back on Mudcat, there was a proposal that we use Mucat Resources to get together a file of lyrics to songs in the Honking Duck collection of recordings. It occurred to me that this thread probably contains a lot of the Dave Macon songs within that archive. I also suspect that someone will already have listed which of the lyrics posted in this thread belong to the songs on the Honking Duck website.
Here is a link to that thread, if anyone wants to get the ball rolling with data they already have available. Mudcat Honkingduck Oldtime Project Proposal . I am not sure how the project has been visualised, but it sounds like a good idea.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck!

Subject: Lyr Add: OVER THE ROAD I'M BOUND TO GO (D Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 27 Sep 02 - 05:02 AM

OVER THE ROAD I'M BOUND TO GO

Spoken: Let's go, over the road I'm bound

Judge and jurymen can't you see
I have murdered in the first degree

Bound to go, bound to go
Over the road I'm bound to go

Every station I pass by
I thought I heard little Ella cry

Weep not, my dear honey
I'm bound to go

It may rain, it may snow
But over the road I'm bound to go

Fare you well I'm bound to go

I rolled out to preach and call
They looked at me: it was the law

Bound to go, bound to go
Over the road I'm bound to go

Every station I pass by
I thought I heard little Ella cry

Bound to go, bound to go
Over the road I'm bound to go

It may rain, it may snow
But over the road I'm bound to go

I rolled out to preach and call
They looked at me: it was the law

Bound to go, bound to go
Over the road I'm bound to go

Every station I pass by
I thought I heard little Ella cry

Weep not, my dear honey
I'm bound to go

It may rain, it may snow
But over the road I'm bound to go

How them women, they did shout
They looked at me, it was all about

Bound to go, bound to go
Over the road I'm bound to go

It may rain, it may snow
But over the road I'm bound to go

Bound to go, bound to go
Over the road I'm bound to go

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon 'Over the Road I'm Bound to Go' recorded on 25 July 1928 in Chicago and issued as Brunswick 329 in August 1929. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Go Long Mule' County CO-CD-3505.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 06:55 PM

Hi Jim,

I think the missing bits are as follows:

Stanza 1, line 4: 'And you can bet I'm happy as a holy [or perhaps wholly] jolly lark'

Stanza 2, line 4: 'Round her waist she kep' it until I reached the farm'

Stanza 3, line 2: 'Come around, pick apples with us in the fall'

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: I TICKLED NANCY (from Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Sep 02 - 12:53 PM

I found this while searching for a different song about tickling. (See Lyr Req: Shotgun Tickle for the original request.)

Transcribed from a RealAudio file at the Honking Duck site:
http://www.honkingduck.com/BAZ/baz_side.php?meth=t&letter=i&title=I%2520Tickled%2520Nancy&cuid=20483A
Click to play. There are a few words or phrases I'm uncertain about; these are marked with (?).

I TICKLED NANCY
(Uncle Dave Macon & His Fruit Jar Drinkers, 1926)

Been living in the city, but I like the country life.
A dear little country girl I'm going to call my wife.
The first time that I met her, the night was very dark
And you can bet I'm happy with the whole big (?) jolly lark.

CHORUS: For I tickled Nancy and Nancy tickled me
For when we are married how happy we will be.
For we will sit together as happy as can be,
For I'll tickle Nancy, and Nancy'll tickle me.

Now Nancy is a lovely girl; to me she is a charm,
And I can trust her without any alarm.
As we were walking to the home, I placed my loving arm
Around her waist so carefully (?) until we reached the farm.

CHO: Then I'd tickle and Nancy'd tickle me...

And now we are married, we invite you all to call
To come around to ... (?) with us in the fall.
In the winter by the fire, set Nancy on my knee.
For I'll tickle Nancy and Nancy'll tickle me.

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ... (etc. for an entire verse.)

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 08:24 AM

Have to add me to the list of skeptics/careless researchers. It raised no remembrance in my mind either, so much so that I didn't even bother to look ~~ worse yet.

Stewie, I hear wood, just as you do, but it doesn't seem to make sense. But then, how much of that does make sense? For it to make any sense at all, it has to mean wood in the sense of woods, forest, etc.

It's really quite minor, but it sounds to me like you cleaned up his grammar a bit, as I hear just like old wreck of 97, goin' down grade 90 miles an hour. ~~ minus two thes and an at. And of course, he is saying you cain't hep it. That's a pronunciation that you will still hear here in the South ~~ maybe not as much as years ago, but still common enough usage by people of all ages.

Subject: Lyr Add: BACKWATER BLUES (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 08 Aug 02 - 02:17 AM

BACKWATER BLUES

Spoken:
Well good people, y'all know water will put out fire but, when water backs up, it makes you put out, right up the mountain, just like old wreck of the 97, goin' down the grade at 90 miles an hour. Now, I'm a-gonna give you a little imitation how that old train was a-goin'.

Instrumental break ['Wreck of Old 97']

Spoken: Hot dog! I'm old but I'm round here!

Backwater's up and the people are runnin'
I'm a-goin' to the mountain, I'm a-goin' huntin'
Fare you well, oh my little darlin'
Lord, lord, ain't I gone

Oh my love, lonesome road
Oh my love, lonesome wood

I love you and you can't help it
You love me, but you won't confess it
No you don't, oh my little darlin'
Lord, lord, ain't I gone

Oh my love, lonesome road
Oh my love, lonesome wood

Two little children lyin' in the bed
The water was a-risin' over their head
Their mother's up town, was never found
Lord, lord, wasn't that sad
Oh how bad, oh how sad

I heard a man talkin' to a feller
The water was a-risin' in his cellar
Rise any more and a-comin' through the floor
Lord, lord, open the door

Oh my love, lonesome road
Oh my love, lonesome wood

Nashville is a favourite town
The back water's got us a-runnin' around
Lord have mercy, ain't I gone
Lord, lord, fare you well

Oh my love, lonesome road
Oh my love, lonesome wood

Source: transcription of Uncle Dave Macon (and Sam McGee) 'Backwater Blues', recorded 11 May 1927 in New York City. Reissued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Go Long Mule' County CO-CD3505.

It seems to me that Uncle Dave is singing 'wood' in the second line of the refrain, but I am not certain. Any corrections?

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,nina-kovars
Date: 04 Aug 02 - 06:03 PM

Bee-dubya-ell, Thanks for the link I've checked the whole list and oh course it's not on it... This seems to be a mystery song in regard to finding much on it. Let me know please if you have any other ideas on obtaining this info, thanks again.. Nina

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 05:57 PM

This Link claims to have the lyrics to all of Uncle Dave's songs. However, I did not see "Backwater Blues", though it may be listed under something else.

Be forewarned! This site is not very well organized. The songs are not in any kind of order that I can decipher. It's also all one big file. Don't try to print it unless you want the whole thing. For individual songs, you have to copy and paste to a word processing program and you may have to re-insert line breaks/carriage returns.

Bruce

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From:
Date: 03 Aug 02 - 05:33 PM

If anyone can help with the lyrics to "BACKWATER BLUES" including the refrain that sounds like ("OH MY LOVE LONESOME ROAD, OH MY LOVE LONESOME ROAD") I would be eternally grateful. I love the song and would like to have any iformation available on it. There doesn't seem to be any real info from the Internet. Thanks alot

Subject: Lyr Add: FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 18 Jan 02 - 02:58 AM

FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN

[Spoken] Now good people I wagoned and farmed for over twenty years and the style on my wagoning firm was the Macon Midway Mule and Mitchell Wagon Transportation Company. Situated on the dividing line, operated by gentlemen on and up to time. Main office eight and a quarter mile East Main Street, Murfreesboro and ten and three-quarters West Main Street, Woodbury, Tennessee. Now here's my song!

I remember the year when I began to haul, it was during the summer time
Back in the those good old days, you could find whisky, beer and wine
I'd walk right in to every saloon, I was strictly up to time
Never was a night that I didn't drive home, wouldn't pull me the end of the line

Chorus:
Been a-wagoning for over twenty years, and living on the farm
I'll bet a hundred dollars to a half a ginger cake, I'm here when the trucks is gone

Gonna tell you now, said the bone-dry Tom, you can't find whisky that good
Done quit all of my drinking, done gone to serving God
I love to go to big meetings, and I'm a-gonna tell you why
I love to sing and pray to God, sweet Heaven when I die

Chorus

An auto-truck has a guiding wheel, while I hold my lines
Whoa when my feet and body gets cold, I'm walking half the time
I speak right to my power, they understand my talk
And when I holler, way get right, they know just how to walk.

Chorus

An auto-truck runs quick and fast, a wagon hasn't such speed
Four good mules and a Mitchell wagon is the safest, oh yes indeed
I'm on my way to Heaven, and I tell you just how I feel
I'd druther ride a wagon and go to Heaven, than to Hell in an automobile

Chorus

Source: transcription from 'Uncle Dave Macon: Country Music Hall of Fame Series' MCA CD MCAD-10546.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Oversoul
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 07:39 PM

For a really fine little book about Uncle Dave's life, contact:

Rutherford County Historical Society P.O. Box 906 Murfreesboro, TN 37133-0906

This the real stuff Macon-ites! Ask for Publication #35.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 11:12 AM

Whoops - forgot to close the Italics HTML!
QUACK!

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 11:07 AM

Sir Roger! - Many thanks for the offer of loans. I do have a copy of the Old-Time String Band Songbook (a.k.a .New Lost City Ramblers), and have Uncle Dave recordings of the songs on your list with the exception of Buddy Won't you Roll Down the Line.
I would be interested in the track which I don't have. I do not recognise your Mudcat Name as being somebody I know from other circles. Do I know you personally by another name? (A P.M. would answer the question if the open forum is not suitable).

By the way - I am pleased that a simple request for lyrics has turned into such a useful Dave Macon resource. In particular, many thanks to Stewie for being the Dave Macon Oracle!
Quack!!!!!
Geoff the Duck!

HTML fixed. --JoeClone, 18-Nov-01.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 05:47 PM

Thanks, Lin. That gives a bit of authority to the theory.

Cheers, Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 11:58 AM

Stewie:

Re; your comment above on "dominecker mule" in "Jordan Am a Hard Road to Travel"--I had always heard references to "dominecker hens" growing up in Texas. My Random House dictionary has this to say (which would at least agree with the coloration theory):

"Dom•i•nique
n. Animal Husb. one of an American breed of chicken, having slate-colored plumage crossed by light and dark bars, raised for its meat and brown eggs. Also, Dominick.[1800–10, Amer.; named after F Dominique"

So, a dominecker mule would be one with dark gray and light gray bars (stripes?) on its hide, I think.

Lin

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 04:25 AM

Geoff I also have the following Uncle Dave recordings which you are welcome to borrow too:

Sail away Ladies Go Long mule Backwater Blues I'm goin' Away in the Morn Hold the Woodpile down Way Down the Old Plank Road Buddy Won't you Roll Down the Line

R

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Sir Roger de Beverley
Date: 15 Nov 01 - 04:00 AM

Geoff

I've got a copy of that New Lost City Ramblers Songbook mentioned in an earlier response. Let me know if you want to borrow it - I have already lent it to Les from Hull and Oombanjo but have it back in my possession now.

R

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 11:21 PM

These wonderful songs not entered in the DT yet, I see. The Work and Henry Thomas versions of "When the Train Comes Along" should be placed under @religion, @spiritual and @gospel as well as @railroad when they get around to it.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 09:10 PM

Uncle Dave's 'Buddy, Won't You Roll Down the Line' is in the DT under the title 'Roll Down the Line':

Buddy, Won't You Roll Down the Line

Judging by own listening and transcriptions in Green's 'Only A Miner' and Seeger etc 'Old-Time String Band Songbook', there are several inaccuracies in the DT transcription. Here are some corrections - in square brackets:

Stanza 1, line 1: 'Way [back] yonder'

Stanza 1, line 2: 'against free labour [stout]'

Stanza 2, line 1: '[Every] Monday morning, [they've got 'em out on time]'

Stanza 2, line 2: '[March them] down ... [said] to look'

Stanza 2, line 3: '[March] you ... [said] to look'

Stanza 2, line 4: 'Very [last word] the captain [say], you better get your [coal]

Stanza 3, line 2: 'The meat [it is burnt up]' - no 'all'

Stanza 3, line 3: ' ... task done, [you're glad to come to call]' - Green has 'at all' instead of 'to call', but I agree with the Seeger transcription

Stanza 4, line 4: 'Very next [time they call on you, you'll bet you'll have your coal]'

For extensive background to this song and its relatives see Archie Green 'Only A Miner' Uni of Illinois Press, pp 195-239.

--Stewie.

Stanza 3, line 4: '[For] anything ... [it tastes] good'

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 06 Sep 01 - 08:50 PM

I think it is about time this thread re-surfaced!

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: GUEST,Denise:^)
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:46 PM

Aargh!! I want you all to know that I didn't type the lyrics in long lines like that!

Subject: Lyr Add: DIXIE BEE LINE (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: GUEST,Denise :^)
Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:38 PM

Well, I had my request out everywhere, and it looks like the Cyberpluckers (Autoharp) came through.

Here are "best guess" lyrics from Kathie--feel free to correct them if you know better!

DIXIE BEE LINE

Well, some folks say that a Ford won't run,
Just let me tell you what a Henry done.
She left Louisville about half past one,
And we pulled into Nashville at the setting of the sun.

CHORUS: On the Dixie, on the Dixie Bee Line,
Gonna rise and shine, gonna stay on time,
Rise and shine, gonna stay on time,
When you're riding in that Henry of mine.

Well, Henry Ford went to Muscle Shoals,
To bring to the people of the South pure gold.
Let them have it, and oh, my Lord,
We'll all ride to heaven in a Henry Ford.
CHORUS

Well, that old Buick certainly treated me mean,
She took all my money for to buy gasoline.
She may be warm, but I don't know,
The Buick won't come where the Henry will go.
CHORUS

Well, I went to the mountains for to get some booze,
The Henry Ford car was the one I'd choose.
The officer got right on me, I'd say,
And I pulled it wide open and I made my getaway.
CHORUS

Well, everybody knows a Henry Ford car,
Everybody knows they're the best they are.
You want to take a ride, just get in a Ford,
Step on the throttle and oh, my Lord.
CHORUS

HTML line breaks added --JoeClone, 14-Nov-01.

Subject: Lyr Add: RISE WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWS (Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 29 May 01 - 08:50 PM

Hi Paul, thanks for posting the Binkleys version. Below is your transcription amended to what I hear Uncle Dave singing. His is more difficult to decipher than the Binkleys so, as always, it is open to correction. However, as you will note, there are only minor variations from the version you have posted - plus a spoken introduction. In the second stanza, unlike the Binkleys version, I don't hear Uncle Dave singing 'socks' but, if not, I don't know what it is. I was thinking 'spats', but it does not sound like that either.

RISE WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWS

{Spoken} Now, good people, there's the little sweet golden daisies. Now I'm a-gonna give you something from the land hog and hominy, pumpkin and possum, and where whisky is made out of corn and women don't smell like talcum powders – let's go for it.

The golden shoes that they hear so much about
Oh the gospel children gonna wear them out
Gonna wear them up yonder where they put on the robe
Where I get on my golden shoes

Chorus:
I'll rise when the rooster crows
Oh rise when the rooster crows
I'se a-going back south where the sun shines hot
Oh down where the sugar cane grows

Don't let old Satan try to fool you
For the gates'll be closed and you cain't get through
With my long white robe and my white [socks?] too
Gonna put on my golden shoes

When Gabriel comes for to blow his horn
There's no need to pull back for you gotta go on
Prepare yourself for the Great Day
For you cain't take money and buy your way

We'd have cider all the fall
Oh get out of the barn to the ball
Where the duck chews tobacco and the goose drinks wine
The old hen cackles while the rooster keeps the time

Whatcha gonna do when the women all dead?
Gonna sit in the corner with a hung down head?
Yes, if I had to marry, I wouldn't marry for riches
I'd marry the big fat gal who couldn't wear my britches

Source: Uncle Dave Macon 'Same' RBF Records RF 51. Original recording Vocalion 15321.

By virtue of the generosity of fox4zero (Larry), I have heaps of other Uncle Dave lyrics to post. It is a matter of searching for background stuff and finding a 'round tuit'. I will certainly post them in due course.

--Stewie.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'LL RISE WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWS (Binkley
From: Paul B
Date: 29 May 01 - 04:11 PM

I'll Rise When the Rooster Crows

As recorded by the Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers on the CD "Nashville: the Early String Bands Vol. I,” County CD-3521. The song was recorded 10/2/1928.

Stewie says that this is quite similar to the Uncle Dave version.

Paul B.

Chorus:
I'll rise when the rooster crows
I'll rise when the rooster crows
I'm going back south where the sun shines hot
Oh down where the sugar cane grows

Verses:
If the golden shoes you hear so much about
Was worn down here you'd soon wear 'em out
We're gonna take up 'em yonder for to put on my robes
Gonna put on my golden shoes

Don't let old Satan try to fool you
For the gates'll be closed and you can't get through
With a long white robe and the white socks too
Gonna put on my golden shoes

When Gabriel comes for to blow his horn
Well you needn't pull back for you gotta go on
So prepare yourself for the judgment day
For you can't take money and buy your way

We'll have cider all the fall
For I said I's going to the ball
Where the duck chews tobacco and the goose drinks wine
The old hen cackle while the rooster keeps the time

Whatcha gonna do when the women all dead?
Gonna sit in the corner with a hung down head
Well if I had to marry I wouldn't marry for riches
I'd marry a big fat gal who couldn't wear the britches

HTML line breaks added --JoeClone, 14-Nov-01.

Subject: Lyr Add: JORDAN AM A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL (Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 04 Apr 01 - 09:06 PM

JORDAN AM A HARD ROAD TO TRAVEL

I'm a-gonna sing you a brand new song
It is all the truth for certain
We can't live high if we get by
And get on the other side of Jordan

Chorus:
Oh pull off your overcoat and roll up your sleeves
Jordan am a hard road to travel
Pull off your overcoat and roll up your sleeves
Jordan am a hard road to travel I believe

The public schools and the highways
Are raisin' quite an alarm
Get a country man educated just a little
And he ain't a-gonna work on the farm

Chorus

I don't know but I 'blieve I'm right
The auto's ruined the country
Let's go back to the horse and buggy
And try to save some money

Chorus

I know a man that's an evangelist
The tabernacle's always full
People will come from miles around
Just to hear him shoot the bull

Chorus

You may talk about your evangelistss
You may talk about Mr Ford too
With Henry really shakin' more hell out of folks
Than all of the evangelists do

Chorus

It rained forty nights but it rained forty days
Gonna rain on the Allegheny Mountains
Gonna rain forty horses and dominecker mules
Gonna take us on the other side of Jordan

Chorus

Source: transcription of reissue on Uncle Dave Macon 'Go Long Mule' County CO-CD-3505. Original recording made on 9 May 1927.

This song originated with a ministrel tune by Daniel Decatur Emmett in the second half of the 19th century. Emmett's song can be found in the DT database: Emmett's Song. Sheet music for Emmett's song may be found at the American Memory site: American Memory. Information on Emmett may be found Here and also Here.

The song became a vehicle for various parodies almost immediately. One of these may be found in the DT database: Richmond is a hard road to travel. In respect of this parody, I found on the net a short explanation by John R. Thompson:

Many Civil War songs were parodies­­songs that set new, topical words to a familiar tune. In 1863 John R. Thompson, a famous southern editor, drafted the following song, based on the minstrel tune Jordan is a Hard Road to Travel, lampooning the Union army's many failures in Virginia in the first two years of the war. [The song refers] to Pope's defeat at Second Bull Run and Burnside's horrendous losses at Fredericksburg. The proclamation referred to was not Lincoln's famous emancipation edict, but Pope's arrogant announcement that his troops were to always advance and never retreat; the boastful Union commander soon found himself frantically racing back to Washington after Lee crushed him at Manassas

Uncle Dave's parody reflects his love of writing songs that comment on current problems of his day and, once again, he takes the opportunity to have a go at the automobile. The Traditional Ballad Index refers to Uncle Dave's recording and gives to 2 citations under the title 'The Other Side of Jordan': Ballad index entry. The text in Silbur is taken directly from the Cohen/Seeger/Wood songbook ['Old-Time String Band Songbook' Oak Publications – former title was 'New Lost City Ramblers Songbook'].

My transcription differs in minor respects from the C/S/W songbook. Perhaps they were working from a different recording of Uncle Dave's, but their last stanza does not accord with what Uncle Dave is singing in his 1927 recording. Norman Blake [Rounder CD 11505] follows Uncle Dave more closely. C/S/W give 'Allegheny Mountains' in the last stanza and I have gone with that even though I can't hear it – it sounds more like 'Alligator' or 'Alligaty' to me. Like many old-time singers, Uncle Dave can be hard to decipher and mondegreens are almost inevitable. I saw a posting from Tom Paley in the banjo news list that the chorus of this song has been misheard as:

Take off your overcoat, roll up your sleeves
Yearnin' in your heart for trouble
Take off your overcoat, roll up your sleeves
Yearnin' in your heart for trouble I believe


In a posting to the forum a Mudcatter gave a possible explanation for 'dominecker' (dominicker) – that, in respect of chooks, it refers to being like a Domincan in colour (reference to the priests' black and white habit) and Uncle Dave may have transferred this to similarly coloured mules.

C/S/W also refer to a version by Tex Logan who learned it as a boy in Texas and taught it to Red Belcher. They refer also to a version by the great Riley Puckett from Georgia. They note that Riley used some verses that are close to those in 'The Old Minstrel Song Book'. They give no details of this book in the headnote or in the bibliography. Can someone provide the details of the editor, publisher etc of this? I have had a search on the net, but have come up with zilch. My attempted transcription of Riley's version follows. There is one line that I was unable to decipher [Riley is not as bad as Uncle Dave, but he has his moments] – it is probably a stock minstrel verse. With its obvious relationship to the 'coon song' tradition, this version would be totally offensive today. Riley has the 'I believe' in the second line of the chorus and his last stanza harks back to Emmett's original:

THE OTHER SIDE OF JORDAN

If I was the president of the United States
Well I'd make my laws recorded
The niggers I'd sell, let the British all go
I'd put 'em on the other side of Jordan

Chorus:
Haul off your overcoat, roll up your sleeve
Jordan am a hard road to travel I believe
Haul off your overcoat, roll up your sleeve
Jordan am a hard road to travel
[Whistles melody above guitar]

If you want to do well go down to the hotel
Get your washing and your board on the credit
If they ask you when you'll pay just tell 'em right away
They may get (it) on the other side of Jordan

Chorus and whistling

Two little niggers went out to play
All the people thought they's a-fightin'
When they hollered to the big nigger get out of the way
'Cos little niggers going to (?)

Chorus and whistling

Daddy caught a turkey in the woods the other day
Well he put him in the oven for to cook him
He jerked back his head and he knocked off the lid
Well he gobbled on the other side of Jordan

Chorus and whistling

David and Goliath had a fight the other day
Found one thing certain
He hit Goliath on the head with a bar of soft soap
And it sounded on the other side of Jordan

Chorus and whistling

Source: Riley Puckett 'Waiting for the Evening Mail' County LP 411.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 03 Apr 01 - 06:00 PM

Uncle Dave was a real social change advocate. Bearing in mind, that he was singing to rednecked Southern Farmers in the 20's and 30's, It's a wonder he didn't get lynched. He was one brave man. For instance second verse to "Take me Back to Tulsa"

LITTLE BEE SUCKS THE BLOSSOM, BIG BEE GETS THE HONEY.
DARKY GROWS THE COTTON, WHITE MAN GETS THE MONEY.

Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry
Take me back to Tulsa, I'm too young to marry.

His son "Dorris" recalled that one opf Uncle Dave's Black Farmhands was about to have his own little farm, and home, foreclosed on by a bank. Uncle Dave Bought the Mortgage AND GAVE IT TO HIS FARMHAND.

His anti KKK verse, mentioned previously , was not an uncommon occurrance.
I can't understand him either.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Wendy_
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 02:24 PM

There is a discussion of 'Whoa Mule' in this thread .

Subject: Lyr Add: FROM JERUSALEM TO JERICHO (Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 18 Mar 01 - 01:56 AM

FROM JERUSALEM TO JERICHO
(Rev W.M. Robertson)

From Jerusalem to Jericho along that lonely road
A certain man was set upon and robbed of all his gold
They beat him and they stripped him and they left him there for dead
Who was it then that came along and bathed the aching head?

Chorus:
Then who (then who), tell me who (tell me who)
Tell me who was this neighbour kind and true
From Jerusalem to Jericho we're travelling every day
And many are the fallen ones that lie along the way

From Jerusalem to Jericho a certain priest came by
He heard the poor man crying but he heeded not the cry
He gathered his robes about him and he quickly passed away
Who was it then that came along and ministered that day?
Chorus

From Jerusalem to Jericho a Levi came along
He heard the poor man crying that lie upon the ground
He lifted his hands up to the heavens and he quickly passed him by
Who was it then that came along and heeded that needy cry?
Chorus

From Jerusalem to Jericho when life was ebbing away
Along came that Samaritan who was despised they say
He ministered to the dying man, he carried him to an inn
He paid his fare and told the host to take good care of him

Chorus

From Jerusalem to Jericho we're travelling every day
And many are the fallen ones that lie along the way
Oh some despise and some reject it, but it is no matter how they've been
When everybody turns you down then Jesus takes you in

Chorus

Source: transcription from reissue on Uncle Dave Macon 'Travelin' Down the Road' County CCS-CD-115. Original recording made on 3 August 1937.

According to Charles Wolfe, this hymn was from the pen of Rev W.M. Robertson in 1891 and appeared in several early hymn books. Uncle Dave first recorded it in 1925. I cannot find the original at any of the gospel and sheet music sites and no mention of Rev Robertson either. Can anyone post the original for purposes of comparison? The Cyber Hymnal site mentions a hymn with the same title by a Frederick Arthur Graves (1856-1927), but gives no text. Is this related or a totally discrete piece? Uncle Dave made another non-commercial recording of the hymn, with his son Dorris backing him on guitar, some time during 1946 (issued on Rounder LP 1028). In that recording, Uncle Dave inverts the last line of the final stanza to: 'When everybody takes you down, then Jesus turns you in'. Whether that was deliberate or accidental, as Charles Wolfe has pointed out, it does make 'a certain amount of Uncle Dave sense'. In my trawls across the net for information about this hymn, I came across an interesting article on the parable in Luke's gospel on which the hymn was based:

Click here for parable article

Subject: Lyr Add: COME ON BUDDIE, DON'T YOU WANT TO GO
From: Stewie
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 01:19 AM

COME ON BUDDIE, DON'T YOU WANT TO GO

Who's been here since I been gone?
Pretty little gal with the red dress on

Roast beef, chicken and whisky too
I'm so happy don't know what to do

Chorus:
I'm gettin' happy, don't you know
Come (sometimes Run) along buddie don't you want to go?
Set myself in a pan of grease
Slipped and fell against the mantlepiece
Take care boys of raising sand

Chorus

Left your booze and chucked your cider
Lemon extract and old Budweiser

Horsetail pills, a little oxtail tonic
The good book says a little's good for the stomach

Chorus

Crank your Ford, I'll hold your baby
Whisky's scarce and I don't mean maybe

I have trusted to my sorrow
Pay today and credit tomorrow

Chorus

Went myself in a Cadillac 8
Turned around the corner at a rapid rate

Met a young lady passing by
I throwed her a kiss and I heard her cry

Chorus

There is something that I know
If you want to get to heaven get right and go

Never get to heaven on a ballroom floor
Satan gonna slide you right through the door

Chorus

There is something sure enough
Never get to heaven with a nose full of snuff

There is something sure in life
Never go to heaven with another man's wife

Source: original recording 17 December 1930. Issued on Uncle Dave Macon 'Laugh Your Blues Away' Rounder LP 1028 (previously unissued).

The above transcription was kindly posted to the old-time music newsgroup by Chris Berry. Chris said that he is not sure of the 'pills' and 'tonic' stanza but I reckon that, if it is not right, it is as close as anyone is going to get.

Subject: Lyr Add: GO ON NORA LEE (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 17 Mar 01 - 01:10 AM

I posted my transcription of 'Nora' on the old-time music newgroup and asked for help. Chris Berry gave his deciphering of the verse lines - sounds great to me. He confirms that it is the 'neck' that is broken and that Uncle Dave is singing 'Go on'. Chris also provided a transcription of 'Buddie' which I will post in a separate message - he has an amazing ear for Uncle Dave lyrics.

CORRECTED VERSION OF 'GO ON, NORA LEE' FOLLOWS.

GO ON NORA LEE

Whisky is the one thing sure people's gonna make
But when they get you on the chain gang, you better seen your mistake

All night long and I couldn't get away
All night long and I couldn't get away
Break my neck and I couldn't get away
Couldn't get away and I couldn't get away
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee

Way up on the mountainside where nobody's been around
Just the time you'll make a run, you're caught and brought to town

All night long and I couldn't get away
All night long and I couldn't get away
Break my neck and I couldn't get away
Couldn't get away and I couldn't get away
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee

Never thought, when a young man, the law'd get so tight]
My father made it day and night and everything's all right

All night long and I couldn't get away
All night long and I couldn't get away
Break my neck and I couldn't get away
Couldn't get away and I couldn't get away
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee

Used to walk in a saloon, call for whisky and beer
Now you have to look around, you can find it everywhere

All night long and I couldn't get away
Break my neck and I couldn't get away

Source: Uncle Dave Macon 'Laugh Your Blues Away' Rounder LP 1028. Original recording made on 17 December 1930 (previously unissued).

Subject: Lyr Add: GO ON NORA LEE (Uncle Dave Macon)
From: Stewie
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 09:13 PM

Geoff, the trouble is you asked for two real stinkers. I have been listening to them repeatedly and working on them, but 'Buddie' in particular is incredibly difficult.

I will post my attempted transcription of 'Go on Nora'. I am not sure whether he has broken his 'neck' or 'leg', but most often it sounds like 'neck' to me. The way Uncle Dave sings it, it sounds like 'gwine', but I have opted for the 'Go on' from the title and I thought 'gwine' usually means 'I'm going to' rather than 'go on' (but I may be wrong). The bits in square brackets indicate that that is my best shot and it may be something quite different. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

GO ON NORA LEE

Whisky is the one thing sure people's gonna make
But when they get you on the chain gang
You done seen your mistake

All night long and I couldn't get away
All night long and I couldn't get away
Break my neck (leg?) and I couldn't get away
Couldn't get away and I couldn't get away
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee

Way up on the mountainside when nobody's been around
[Just the time you makin' a run, you fall] and brought it down

All night long and I couldn't get away
All night long and I couldn't get away
Break my neck and I couldn't get away
Couldn't get away and I couldn't get away
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee

Never thought of any young man the [lord gets so tight]
My father made it day and night and everything's all right

All night long and I couldn't get away
All night long and I couldn't get away
Break my leg and I couldn't get away
Couldn't get away and I couldn't get away
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee
Oh go on Nora, Nora
Go on Nora Lee
Go on Nora, my true love
Have a little jubilee

Used to walk in a saloon, call for whisky and beer
Now you have to look around, you can find it everywhere

All night long and I couldn't get away
Break my leg and I couldn't get away

Source: Uncle Dave Macon 'Laugh Your Blues Away' Rounder LP 1028. Original recording made on 17 December 1930 (previously unissued).

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 11:43 AM

When I started this thread / question, I hoped for some response. At first it was sparse, and I thought I was going to be disappointed. I still haven't got words for the two songs which originally sparked off my enquiry, but I would like to thank Stewie for his almost single handed determination to get Uncle Dave's lyrics down for us all to use.
I've currently mislaid my partial transcriptions, but they were mostly holes and question marks anyway. If I can locate the folder with them in I will post them (with missing lines) so that others might be able to provide guesses and opinions about what he sang.
Keep up the good work !!!
Quack!!!!
GtD.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 14 Mar 01 - 11:42 AM

When I started this thread / question, I hoped for some response. At first it was sparse, and I thought I was going to be disappointed. I still haven't got words for the two songs which originally sparked off my enquiry, but I would like to thank Stewie for his almost single handed determination to get Uncle Dave's lyrics down for us all to use.
I've currently mislaid my partial transcriptions, but they were mostly holes and question marks anyway. If I can locate the folder with them in I will post them (with missing lines) so that others might be able to provide guesses and opinions about what he sang.
Keep up the good work !!!
Quack!!!!
GtD.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'LL KEEP MY SKILLET GOOD AND GREASY
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 07:02 PM

I'LL KEEP MY SKILLET GOOD AND GREASY

I'se gwine down town for to buy me a sack of flour
Gwine cook it every hour
Keep my skillet good and greasy all the time, time, time
Keep my skillet good and greasy all the time

I'se chickens in my sack, bloodhounds on my track
I'm pullin' for my shanty home, home, home
I'm pullin' for my shanty home

If they beat me to the door, I'll put 'em under the floor
Keep my skillet good and greasy all the time, time, time
Keep my skillet good and greasy all the time

I'se a-walking down the street and I stoled a ham of meat
Got my skillet good and greasy all the time, time, time
Got my skillet good and greasy all the time

I'se gwine to the hills for to buy me a jug of brandy
Gwine give it all to Mandy
Keep her good and drunk and boozy all the time, time, time
Keep her good and drunk and boozy all the time

Honey, if you say so, I'll never work-a no more
I'll lay round your shanty all the time, time, time
I'll lay round your shanty all the time

There's a man on the log, finger on the trigger and eye on the hog
Gun it went blip and the bullet it went zip
Fell on the hog with all of his grip
Got my skillet good and greasy all the time, time, time
Got my skillet good and greasy all the time

Source: transcription of reissue on Uncle Dave Macon 'Travelin' Down the Road' County CCS-CD-115. Original recording 22 January 1935.

Uncle Dave first recorded this song acoustically in 1924 and it was his first 'hit'. It continued to be a favourite so it was redone in better sound in 1935. According to Charles Wolfe, Sid Harkreader always said Uncle Dave got it from 'an old coloured man' who worked at the Readyville mill near where Macon worked.

The song was part of that 'common stock' of banjo and fiddle tunes and songs in the black and white traditions – pieces that drew on a huge collection of couplets and quatrains that were nearly all interchangeable from one to another. The 'gwines' and 'I'ses' link it to the minstrel era and the last verse here betrays its connection to the large 'Some people say a nigger/preacher can't steal' / 'Mourner, You Shall Be Free' family. In Uncle Dave's version, it's 'a man' on the log. In his wonderful 'Screening the Blues: Aspects of Blues Tradition' [New York, Da Capo Press, 1968], Paul Oliver traces the history of 'Mourner' from the minstrel days where it was 'a nigger' on the log, through to 'the preacher' taking his place as a figure of derision. Frank Stokes, a medicine show performer from Memphis, recorded in his version of 'Mourner', the title of which was abbreviated to 'You Shall':

Well you see that preacher laid behind the log
Hand on the trigger, got his eye on the hog
The hog says (grunt), the gun says 'zip',
Jump on the hog with all his grip
He had pork chops, yeah,
And backbone, and spareribs, yeah,
Now when the good lord sets me free
[Transcription from Frank Stokes 'You Shall', reissued on Frank Stokes 'Creator of the Memphis Blues' Yazoo CD 1056. Original recording August 1927, Paramount 12518].

Oliver suggest (op cit p58) that the target in Stokes' song was changed possibly because Paramount was 'alive to the sensibilities' of his listeners', but when Howard Odum collected the song [Howard W. Odum 'Folk-Song and Folk-Poetry as Found in the Secular Songs of the Southern Negroes', Journal of American Folklore, vol 24, no 94, 1911], the words still ran:

Great big nigger, settin' on a log
One eye on the trigger, one eye on the log

PS.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: Stewie
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 06:59 PM

Hi CY, it's very difficult for us in Oz as well. However, it is not only his accent, but also his mumblings and poor enunciation at times. Mostly, he is reasonably easy to understand, but there are passages where he is impossible. If you note errors and mishearings in the transcriptions that I am posting, I would very much appreciate your drawing them to attention.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: ADD: Uncle Dave Macon Lyrics
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 13 Mar 01 - 12:18 AM

You think you Brits have trouble understanding Uncle Dave? So Do Yankees. Just in case you are not aware of osit, "Yankees" only live in the 5 New England states. Rhode Island, which formally declared it's independence on MAY, 4Th 1776, (two months before the rest)Massachusetts,Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont. We don't object when Britons call all Americans, "Yanks", it's kind of a compliment, but, When Southern Americans refer to ALL Norherners as, "Yankees" we resent the Hell out of it, because they usually dont use it as a compliment and almost always add the prefix "Damned". Dasve Macon definitely did not have a yankee accent. Britts should have no trouble with with a Yankee accent, sounds a lot like a combination of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. At least that's what their accents sounded like to me when I was stationed in England in the USAF. Leadbelly was just as hard to understand, except that I knew him when I was a Kid living in New York City in 1946 &47. I learned a lot of Leadbelly's songs right from the horses mouth, and did a lot of "Huh"?, "What was that"? (whuch you can't do with a recording) I remember that he was very patient with "chillun" and liked to perform for them and having them around. He even would change the words to some songs, (on the spot) rather than give them any bad advice. I'll give you one example. He was singing for a bunch of school kids and sang the last line of the last verse of "Irene" to "I'll run away and hide" instead of "I'll take morphine and die". While we're still on the subject, in spite of the TV movie about Leadbelly's life, he did not pronounce his name "Hew-dee", his name was Hudson Ledbetter, and he pronounced it "Huh-dy".

Love and kisses