Lyr Add: Deep Blue Sea Blues (T McClennan)

Subject: Deep Blue Sea Blues
From: Stewie
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 12:24 AM

DEEP BLUE SEA BLUES
(Traditional)
(Spoken): I wants to make this one right now. It's the best one I got

I'm gwine, baby, I'm gwine, and crying won't make me stay
'Cause the more you cry now now, baby, further you drive me away,
Further you drive me away, I mean drive me away
Further you drive me away

Now I wish I was a bullfrog, swimming in the deep blue sea
Lord, I would have all these good-looking womens now now fishing after me
Fishing after, I mean, after
Sure 'nough after me

Now I went to my baby's house and I sat down on her step
She said, 'Walk on in now now, Tommy, my husband just now left
My husband just now, I mean just now, sure 'nough, just now left
Oh, lord, just now left, lord just now left

Now ain't none, none of my business, baby, but you know I know it ain't right
Stay with your kid man all day long, and play sick on your husband at night
On your husband at night, I mean your husband at night, sure 'nough your husband at night
Oh lord your husband at, oh lord your husband at, oh lord your husband at night

(Spoken): Long time now!

Now lord, oh lord, baby, hear me blow the blues
Darling, ain't got no bottom now now now in my last pair of shoes
My last pair of shoes, in my last pair, in my last pair …

Source: Tommy McClennan 'Tommy McClennan: The Bluebird Recordings 1939-1942' RCA CD 07863 67430-2. Recorded Chicago, Ill, on 15 September 1941.

'Deep Blue Sea Blues' is a traditional Mississippi piece that was first recorded in March 1941 by Robert Petway under the title 'Catfish Blues'. Petway and McClennan were partners around Greenville and developed similar styles. Both versions were influential on later bluesman. It was later recorded by many blues singers from Mississippi and elsewhere. PS.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Deep Blue Sea Blues
From: wdyat12
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 02:54 AM

Stewie,

Having spent many years on the "deep blue sea" as a fisherman in the Gulf of Maine, in a past life, with a pent for blues, your thread Lyr Add: Deep Blue Sea Blues screamed at me to investigate. The song was not what I expected, but I am still intrigued. I checked out the usual sources on Mudcat for more information with no results. Maybe the databanks were asleep. What thread are you adding this to? Where can I here this tune without spending a fortune for that antique recording you cited?

wdyat12

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Deep Blue Sea Blues
From: Stewie
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 04:01 AM

Hi wdyat,

I suggest you try mp3 sites under the title 'Catfish Blues' and Muddy Waters refashioned it under the title 'Rollin' Stone'. I see there's an mp3 of an acoustic version listed at mp3.com. I haven't heard it, but you should find it here:

Click

I am not adding it to any thread. I have started a 'lyric add' thread as a suggestion for its possible inclusion in the Digital Tradition database. If it doesn't make it there, it will still remain in the forum for anyone who is interested.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Deep Blue Sea Blues
From: wdyat12
Date: 27 Feb 01 - 04:35 AM

Stewie,

Thanks for opening this song up to me. Aint MP3's cool?

wdyat12