Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit

Subject: Blues Chase up a rabbit
From:
Date: 20 Feb 01 - 11:24 AM

Hi, and thanks in advance for letting me ask this question. Do you have any idea who wrote this song, "Blues Chase Up A Rabbit" or who initially sang it?

Subject: RE: Blues Chase up a rabbit
From: GUEST,Roll&Go-C
Date: 20 Feb 01 - 11:51 AM

Carolyn Hester was the first person I know who recorded it back in the 1960s. Great song!

When the blues chase up a rabbit,
Rabbit he run a mile,
Poor little rabbit, sound like a new born child.

Been a long time since I heard someone sing it.

Subject: RE: Blues Chase up a rabbit
From: The Sugar Dog (inactive)
Date: 20 Feb 01 - 11:55 AM

Have it in our Jerry Silverman work on Folk Blues as BLUES JUMPED A RABBIT.

Kick ass on this one on the electric autoharp, woweeee!

I'll look it up later on. Stick around.

~S~

Subject: Lyr Add: RABBIT-FOOT BLUES
From: The Sugar Dog (inactive)
Date: 20 Feb 01 - 12:37 PM

Sigh... thanks, I needed that!

RABBIT-FOOT BLUES

(G)Blues jumped a rabbit and he ran a solid mile. (...G7...)
(C7) Blues jumped a rabbit, and he ran a solid mile. (...G...)
The (C7) rabbit sat down and cried just like a little child. (...G, C7, D7)

Well, it seem like you're hungry, why don't you come and lunch with me?
Well, it seem like you're hungry, why don't you come and lunch with me?
I'm gonna stop these married-lookin' wimmin from worryin' me.

I have Uneeda biscuits and a half a pint of gin.
I have Uneeda biscuits and a half a pint of gin.
The gin is mighty fine, them biscuits is a little too thin.

Baby, tell me somehting about meatless and wheatless days.
Baby, tell me somehting about meatless and wheatless days.
This not being my home, I don't think I should stay.

Well I cried for flour; meat, I declare was gone.
Well I cried for flour; meat, I declare was gone.
People feed me corn bread, I just can't stick around home.

Got a knapsack, baby, and I'm gonna get a submarine.
Got a knapsack, baby, and I'm gonna get a submarine.
Gonna get that Kaiser by 19 (hundred) 17.


SOURCE:
Folk Blues, by Jerry Silverman, Jerry Silverman Publications, a division of Saw Mill Music Corp. (C) 1983 Saw Mill Music Corp.

NOTES WITH THE SONG:
"A blues about all kinds of wartime shortages-- meatless, wheatless, and manless days-- as sung by Blind Lemon Jefferson." (author not given)

SH

Subject: Lyr Add: RABBIT BLUES
From: Joe_F
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 11:56 AM

A very different version appears in Edwards & Kelley's Coffee House Songbook (Oak, 1966, OOP, like most good things - page 196):

RABBIT BLUES

When the blues chase a rabbit,
He run one solid mile,
Poor little rabbit,
Cries like a new born child.

I wish I was a headlight,
On some eastbound train,
I'd shine my light on,
Cool Colorado rain.

Wish I was in cool Colorado,
On some mountain so high,
I'd watch my baby,
As she goes riding by.

Some like black or yellow,
Others white or tan,
I love my baby,
She loves another man.

Repeat first verse.

"As sung by Al Higgens" & "Collected in California", they say.
The version given by Silverman would appear to go back to W.W. I.

Joe Fineman
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Blues Chase up a rabbit
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 06:39 PM

Joe-

The version you posted is very close to what Carolyn Hester used to sing.

Charley Noble, formerly Roll & Go-C

Subject: RE: Origins: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 03:17 PM

Allmusic.com says Judy Henske recorded BLUES CHASE UP A RABBIT on her 1964 album, "High Flying Bird." They have a sound sample with these lyrics:

Now some like white and yellow
Others prefer brown or tan
I love my baby just as much....

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoZ1X2KUTYA

Subject: Lyr Add: JACKRABBIT BLUES
From: Goose Gander
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 03:47 PM

Charles Todd and Robert Sonkin collected the following in a Farm Service Adminstration camp in California . . . .

JACKRABBIT BLUES

Jack Bryant
Firebaugh, 1940

Blues jumped the rabbit, he ran four solid miles
Blues jumped the rabbit, he ran four solid miles
That rabbit he got down and he cried just like a child.

Can't you tell me, mama, whose muddy shoes are these?
Can't you tell me, mama, whose muddy shoes are these?
That are setting right here where my shoes ought to be.

Roud 15501 (only reference)

Voices From the Dust Bowl

A similar lyric was printed by Rudi Blesh in Shining Trumpets
(1946), but I don't have that in front of me right now. The lyric is various forms has been used by Blind John Davis, Big Joe Turner, and Wynonie Harris.

Subject: RE: Origins: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: Goose Gander
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 04:40 PM

The second stanza seems to come from "Our Goodman" (Child 274), but I don't know any other versions of the 'rabbit blues' that use those particular lines.

Subject: RE: Origins: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 05:09 PM

Now I'm thinking it was Judy Henski rather than Caroln Hester who used to sing this back inthe early 1960's.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origins: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 05:59 PM

The original version posted is that of Blind Lemon Jefferson, as "Rabbit Foot Blues," recorded abt 12/1926, Paramount 12454 (mx 3089-1). So far as is known the song originates with him.

Milton Brown's "St Louis Blues," recorded in 1/1935 on Decca 5072, also features the "whose muddy shoes are these" verse. It's not likely to be original with him but I don't know an earlier version. There probably is one in hokum blues, though.

Subject: RE: Origins: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 22 Jul 06 - 11:01 PM

The song posted above by Joe Fineman was called "Cool Colorado" on an LP by Roger Abrahams. It is a real gem, I've always thought. The record I heard it on was in Sandy and Caroline Paton's collection which I was running through when I stayed with them between gigs in Connecticut one time.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 10:01 AM

I first heard this on a Judy Henske CD, a version different from the one printed on Digital Tradition Mirror. The strange and beautiful song has haunted me for a couple of years now. Did find mention of a version by Charlotte Daniels & Pat Webb on Prestige International (13037 LP) noted as having been recorded in "196?"
Appreciate hearing from you, if you have further info.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: deadfrett
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 08:22 AM

Richard "Rabbit" Brown recorded James Alley Blues in the Twenties.
He used the "Blues Jumped.." line in the song. The guitar work is spectacular considering he was primarily a piano player. I'm still trying to figure out some of those licks after hearing it thirty years ago. It's on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Music.

Subject: Lyr. Add: RABBIT FOOT BLUES (Blind Lemon Jefferson
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 01:51 PM

RABBIT FOOT BLUES
(Blind Lemon Jefferson, 1926)

Blues jumped a rabbit: run him one solid mile (2x)
This rabbit sat down; cried like a natural child

Well it seem like you hungry: honey come and lunch with me (2x)
I want to stop these married-looking women: from worrying me

I have Uneeda biscuits here: and a half a pint of gin (2x)
The gin is mighty fine: them biscuits are a little too thin

Baby tell me something about those meatless and wheatless days (2x)
Since I seen my home, I don’t think I can stay

I cried for flour and meat: I declare it was gone (2x)
Keep a-feeding me cornbread: I just can't stick around long

Got an airplane baby: now I'm going to get a submarine (2x)
Going to get that Kaiser: and we'll be seldom seen

Mnnn hitch me to your buggy mama: drive me like a mule (2x)
Reason I'm going home with you, sugar: I ain't much hard to be fooled.


Source: Michael Taft's Pre-War Blues Lyrics Concordance.

The song is available on the CD, "The Best of Blind Lemon Jefferson," Yazoo label.

The last part of the text is different from the version in "Folk Blues," Jerry Silverman, posted near the top of this thread. The lyrics suggest a WW1 origin.

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 02:09 PM

Richard 'Rabbit' Brown recorded "James Alley Blues" in 1927 for Victor.
The lyrics and data on the song are in the DT.
Cd- "Times Ain't Like Thet Used to Be: Early American Rural Music vol. 2," Yazoo CD 2029.
Stewie posted the lyrics 10 Nov 99 in thread 15210: James Alley Blues

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Mar 08 - 08:47 PM

Excellent work, Q, tracking this song back another 40 years.

It was one of our favorite songs of my first folk singing group back in college in the early 1960's. So I am fond of it and have wondered about its origin.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Chicken Charlie
Date: 25 Mar 08 - 09:39 AM

Thank you, Joe F.! I had forgotten that one; the version you found is the way I heard it, forever ago. Way cool! and all those silly expressions!!! :)

CC

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 05:25 PM

I'm sorry for the delay, I just wanted to add that Karen Dalton also used to sing this song, it is posted on youtube

---->   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pbz6XmB0Sw


Wonderful song ^^

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,charles a
Date: 18 Nov 08 - 01:09 AM

I just listened to it on Judy Henske's album, High Flying Bird, which you can find on itunes. Terrific song on a really great album. Her "Baltimore Oriole" and "Wade in the Water" are also great, but so is the whole album.

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Larry
Date: 27 Dec 08 - 08:15 PM

I was just listening to Bukka White's "Remembrance of Charley Patton" where he suggested Charley Patton used to sing a version of this tune. Bukka said he was so moved by the line about the rabbit crying like a child that he wouldn't eat rabbit any more. Since Charley Patton died about 1931, I would guess it easily predates any of the citations above.

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Dave MacKenzie
Date: 28 Dec 08 - 05:49 PM

Patten died a bit later than 1931, he was still recording in '34, but he was still more or less a contemporary of Jefferson. Both made extensive use of traditional floating verses, so the likelihood is that if they both used the verse, it had alreday been around for some time.

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST
Date: 16 May 10 - 07:00 PM

Have always loved Henske's version. Except she sings "I love my baby just as long and as hard as I can." Rather explicit.

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Megan
Date: 01 Apr 11 - 08:34 PM

Hey everyone, does anyone know the chords either Karen Dalton's or Judy Henske's or Carolyn Hester's versions of this song?? I would love the chords to Karen's version but I can't find them anywhere! Thanks so much if you can help!!

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Ebor_Fiddler
Date: 02 Apr 11 - 06:33 PM

Didn't Duke record a version of this?

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Arkansas Red
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 10:22 PM

I first heard this song in 1960 on an old LP by Charlotte Daniels and Pat Webb. Charlotte does a fine version of this song.

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 02:14 AM

Sandy Paton used to sing this regularly in London, 1958.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 02:16 AM

... I recall Sandy's words distinctly as

When the blues chase a poor rabbit
Chase him a solid mile
Poor rabbit sit down wnd
Cry like a newborn child

Wish I was in cool Colorado...

He called it Cool Colorado ~~ a variant of the Rabbit Blues, or a floating first verse?

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 23 Aug 11 - 04:50 AM

... quoted above by Joe F, & included by Sandy on thread "Most recent 10 songs", Sep 22 1999

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,GUEST: Ashlee
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 04:50 PM

If anyone is still looking for it, I worked out a version of Karen Dalton's Blues Jumped the Rabbit that sounds good. Capo on the third fret:
G-G7
C-C7
G-C-G

Subject: Lyr Add: THE BLUES JUMPED A RABBIT (The Wandering)
From: GUEST,dan
Date: 07 Jul 15 - 01:22 AM

another beautiful version by the group, the wandering

THE BLUES JUMPED A RABBIT
(from The Wandering)

When the blues jumped up a rabbit
rabbit he'll run a mile
poor little rabbit
he cried like a newborn child

Wish I was a headlight
on some western train
I'd shine my light
on the cool Colorado rain

wish I was in cool Colorado
up on some mountain high
I'd see my darling
as he went riding by….as he went riding by

Some like white or yellow
some gray black or brown
the man I'm craving
won't ever turn me down

the blues jumped up a rabbit
rabbit he'll run a mile
poor little rabbit
he cried like a newborn child

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3VGFxeOK-M

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 18 - 04:58 PM

http://www.krabarchive.com/player/1963-04-12.html
Here's a recording of my brother from 1963...enjoy

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Joseph Scott
Date: 25 Jun 18 - 12:11 AM

Lemon sings "Blue jumped a rabbit," not "Blues jumped a rabbit."

Compare e.g. the "Old Blue jumped the rabbit and they running one solid mile" that Booker White recalled Charlie Patton sang and "Old Blue Jumped A Rabbit" by Mose Vinson.

Subject: Lyr Add: BLUES CHASE UP A RABBIT (Judy Henske)
From: GUEST,Rita Gatti
Date: 09 Apr 19 - 09:02 PM

Definitely Judy Henske sang this on her album. Never heard any other versions. I learned it as "Cool Colorado"

BLUES CHASE UP A RABBIT

When the blues chase a rabbit,
He run one solid mile,
Poor little rabbit,
Cries like a newborn child.

I wish I was a headlight,
On some eastbound train,
I'd shine my light on,
Cool Colorado rain.

Wish I was in cool Colorado,
On some mountain so high,
I'd watch my baby,
As she goes riding by.

Some like black or yellow,
Others white or tan,
I love my baby,
She loves another man.

Repeat first verse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoZ1X2KUTYA

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 19 - 10:54 AM

Way back in the early 1960's I saw a young woman perform "When the Blues Chase Up a Rabbit" at the 2nd Fret(a coffee house in Philadelphia. The guitar work was exquisite blues(not jazzy) and the voice was more country blues or even delta blues. I don't know if she ever got to record the song. Would love to remember her name and find out if she ever recorded this song.

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Deirdre Bialo-Padin
Date: 28 Jan 21 - 04:29 PM

I heard a blues guitar player from Ohio sing this song about 30 years ago. I’ve been singing it since then, and have added verses over the years, and probably changed the tune a bit. I’ve been singing it recently on a variety of Zoom sessions during the pandemic. If you’ve heard any recordings, and wondered about some of the verses, these are the verses I composed and added to the song:

I wish I were on the banks of the Magaguadavic,
In the spring when the waters are running high,
So I can see my baby as he glides swiftly by.

I wish I were a sailboat,
Rigged out all neat and tight
I’d sail underneath his window, nearly ever night

Now some like snow in winter,
And some like the warm summer’s sun.
Me, I love my baby. He loves another one.

Note: the Magaguadavic is a river in New Brunswick, Canada

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Nov 21 - 09:26 PM

Karen Dalton anyone? Anyone know the chords?

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: GUEST,Charlie Ipcar
Date: 03 Nov 21 - 09:14 PM

Nice to see this old thread revived.

Charlie Ipcar, aka Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: BLUES JUMPED ON A RABBIT
From: GUEST,carrolann
Date: 06 Feb 22 - 09:46 AM

Seems like many artists who recorded this song created their own version of the lyrics from the original.

1990 single, "B" side to Good Time Blues

Written by N. Bolden. Harmoninica Birdlegg. Vocals N. Bolden. Birdlegg & The Tight Fit Blues Band.

BLUES JUMPED ON A RABBIT

The blues jumped on the rabbit
Rollin for one solid mile
The blues jumped on the rabbit
Rollin for one solid mile
Rabbit lay down
Cried like a baby child

Been a long-time baby
Since I carried your books to school
Been a long-time baby
Since I carried your books to school
We had so much fun
Riding home on grandpa’s mule

Every time I see you woman
She makes me think about mine
Every time I see you woman
She makes me think about mine
She’s brown skinned, good lookin,
Bow legged and she sticks way out behind

Every time I see you woman
She makes me think about mine
Every time I see you woman
She makes me think about mine
Brown skin, good lookin,
Bow (long) legged and she sticks way out behind

Subject: ADD Version: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit (Henske)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 22 - 04:30 PM

There's a version up above that appears to be from Henske, but it doesn't follow the Henske recording on the High Flying Bird album. Here's my transcription of the Henske recording.

BLUES CHASE UP A RABBIT
(from Judy Henske)

When the blues chase up a rabbit,
Rabbit run one solid mile,
Poor little rabbit,
Cry like a newborn child.

Now, some like white and yellow,
Others prefer brown or tan,
I love my baby,
Just as long and as hard as I can.

Oh, I wish that I was a headlight,
Shinin' on the eastbound train,
I'd shine my little light on
Cool Colorado rain.

When the blues chase up a rabbit,
Rabbit run one solid mile,
Poor little rabbit,
Cry like a newborn child.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoZ1X2KUTYA

Subject: RE: Origin: Blues Chase Up a Rabbit
From: Joe_F
Date: 09 Aug 22 - 06:42 PM

A pleasure to revisit this thread. It does appear that, if you want people on the Mudcat to thank you, it helps if you happen to own _The Coffee House Songbook_.