Lyr Req: Sittin' on Top of the World

Subject: Lyrics for
From: Peter Turner
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 10:26 AM

Does anyone know the lyrics for "Sitting on top of the World"? And, the history of the song? Much obliged.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for
From:
Date: 28 Jan 98 - 10:54 AM

Try looking in the data base under TOP OF THE WORLD

Subject: RE: Lyrics for
From: Earl
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 01:13 AM

I believe it was written and first recorded by the Mississippi Sheiks and went on to become a standard in both bluegrass and blues.

Subject: ADD:I'm Sitting on Top of the World(Koehler/McHugh
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 02:51 AM

Here 'tis in the Digital Tradition:

SITTIN' ON TOP OF THE WORLD
(Lonnie Carter and Walter Jacobs Vinson)

It was in the spring, one sunny day
My sweetheart left me, Lord, she went away

cho: And now she's gone, and I don't worry
Oh Lord, I'm sittin' on top of the world.

She called me up from El Paso
Sayin', "Come back Daddy, I need you so."

Don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree
Stay outa my orchard, leave my peaches be.

Don't you come here runnin', holdin' out your han'
Gonna get me a woman, like you got your man.

Recorded by Doc Watson, Bill Monroe
@blues
filename[ STTNTOP
TUNE FILE: STTNTOP
CLICK TO PLAY
RG

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Here's what the Traditional Ballad Index says about it:

Sitting on Top of the World

DESCRIPTION: Singer's woman leaves him, then says "Come back... I need you so". He spurns her: "If you don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree...." He'll find another woman. Ch.: "But now she's gone, and I don't worry/Because I'm sitting on top of the world"
AUTHOR: Probably Walter Vincson (Digital Tradition lists Lonnie Carter and Walter Jacobs)
EARLIEST DATE: 1930 (recording, Mississippi Sheiks)
KEYWORDS: hardheartedness love travel abandonment floatingverses lover
FOUND IN: US(SE,So)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
DT, STTNTOP*
Roud #7689
RECORDINGS:
Alabama Sheiks "Sittin' On Top of the World" (Victor 23261, 1931)
Beale St. Rounders, "Sittin' On Top of the World" (Vocalion 1555, 1930)
(Joe) Evans & (Arthur) McClain, "Sitting On Top of the World" (Banner 32211/Oriole 8079/Perfect 180/Romeo 5079, 1931)
Shelton Brothers, "I'm Sittin' On Top of the World" (Decca 5190, 1936)
Mississippi Sheiks, "Sitting on Top of the World" (OKeh 8784, 1930; OKeh 45506, 1931)
Scottdale String Band, "Sittin' On Top of the World" (OKeh 45509, 1931; rec. 1930)
Doc Watson, "Sitting On Top of the World" (on WatsonAshley1)
Clarence Williams Jug Band, "Sitting On Top of the World" (OKeh 8826, 1930)
Bob Wills, "Sittin' On Top of the World" (Vocalion 03139, 1936 [rec. 1935])
SAME TUNE:
Mississippi Sheiks, "Sitting On Top of the World #2" (OKeh 8854, 1931; rec. 1930)
NOTES: This song should not be confused with the Tin Pan Alley song, "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" (which goes on, "Just rollin' along, just rollin' along"), although the Mississippi Sheiks may have been ironically quoting from it. - PJS
Last updated in version 2.7
File: dtSTTNTO

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The Ballad Index Copyright 2014 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.

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I was wondering if maybe Peter was looking for the old pop tune with about the same name, which is presented here as a public service:

I'm Sitting on Top of the World
Words: Ted Koehler
Music: Jimmy McHugh
© 1925 (Renewed 1953), EMI Feist Catalog, Inc.

I'm sitting on top of the world,
Just rolling along, just rolling along

I'm quitting the blues of the world,
Just singing a song, just singing a song.
"Glory Halleluia,"
I just phoned the parson,
"Hey, Parson, get ready to call."
Just like Humpty Dumpty
I'm going to fall.

I'm sitting on top of the world,
Just rolling along, just rolling along.

You don't think he meant the song the song by the Carpenters, did he???
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyrics for
From: Sir
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 03:59 PM

Eric Clapton's group Cream had the blues/blugrass "Sitting On Top Of The World" on a recording from the late 60's or early 70's. Of course they performed it as blues-tinged hard rock. EC has been known to use music from different sources in his recordings.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for
From: Barry
Date: 29 Jan 98 - 05:24 PM

(Ya don't like my peaches don't shake my tree
Get out my orchard let my peaches be)

(Ch. now he's gone & I don't worry I'm sitting on top of the world)

Does this sound right, if so I'll try to dig out more, sorry can't remember any more. Some one I once knew did this & to see if any one was listening he'd sing Shitting on top of a Squirrel. Barry

Subject: RE: INFO ON""Sittin' On Top Of The World"
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Feb 98 - 01:44 AM

I knew Walter Vinson in Chicago & taped him at a friend's house in l962. Vinson (or Vincson) was an original member of the Missippi Shieks. He told me he had written "Sittin' On Top Of The World" and it had been ripped off from him by various blues artists. The drunker he got the more angry he got about that song and he simply wouldn't sing it for us. I recall asking Walter why he'd moved to Chicago from Mississippi. He said, "I was tired of smellin' mule farts!" Art Thieme

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD (Chatmon)
From: chet w
Date: 01 Feb 98 - 03:00 PM

Every time I hear this song I learn new verses. I believe it was written by Sam Chatmon (who claimed to be the father of 60 children) and the Mississippi Sheiks back in the 20's. Here's the version I do.

I'M SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD
(Chatmon)

Was in the spring, one sunny day
My sweetheart left me, Lord she went away

CHORUS:
But now she's gone, gone, gone, and I don't worry
Cause I'm sitting on top of the world

You don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree
Get out of my orchard, let my peaches be

CHORUS

You know she called me up, down in El Paso
Said come back daddy, o I need you so

CHORUS

Don't you run here cryin, holdin out your hand
Gonna get me a woman, same way you got your man

CHORUS

Going down to the station, out in the yard
Gonna catch me a freight train, life done got hard

CHORUS


Look for good versions of this song by Mississippi Sheiks, Taj Mahal, and Doc Watson.

Good luck,
Chet W.

Subject: RE: info on "Sittin' On Top Of The World"
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Feb 98 - 03:48 PM

After Walter Vinson died, Sam Chatmon badmouthed him every chance he got and belittled Walter's role in the Shieks. This was, seemingly, to boost his own position now that there was nobody to check out the details with.Personally, I tend to believe Mr. Vinson's claim of authorship here. We can never REALLY know.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for
From: chet w
Date: 02 Feb 98 - 06:45 PM

Art, I've been in situations like that myself. I guess some details will always be lost to history.

Chet W.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for
From:
Date: 20 Feb 98 - 01:33 AM

Check out a great version sung by Jimmy Martin on the Dirt Band's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken, vol. II"

Subject: Lyr Req: Mississippi Sheiks
From: Jon W.
Date: 24 Jun 98 - 02:05 PM

Does anyone have the Mississippi Sheiks version of the old blues standard "Sitting on Top of The World"? If so can you post the lyrics please? Apparently it is the original version.

PS. Yes I know Doc Watson's version is in the DT.

Subject: Lyr Add: SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 24 Jun 98 - 02:55 PM

Here you go, as done by Walter Vincson on guitar and vocal and Lonnie Chatmon on violin.

Brian

SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD
(Version by MISSISSIPPI SHEIKS)

Recorded Shreveport, La. 17 February 1930 Okeh 8784

Was all the summer and all the fall.
Just tryin' to find my little all and all.
But now she's gone I don't worry.
I'm sitting on top of the world.

Was in the spring, one summer day.
Just when she left me, she'd gone to stay.
But now she's gone I don't worry.
I'm sitting on top of the world.

Needn't have come here runnin', holdin' up your hand.
Can get me a woman, quick as you can a man.
But now she's gone, I don't worry.
I'm sitting on top of the world.

It have been days, I didn't know your name.
Why should I worry and prayer in vain.
But now she's gone I don't worry.
I'm sitting on top of the world.

Goin' to the station, down in the yard.
Gonna get me a freight train, work's done got hard.
But now she's gone, I don't worry.
I'm sitting on top of the world.

The lonesome days, they have gone by.
Why should you beg me, and say goodbye.
But now she's gone, I don't worry.
I'm sitting on top of the world.

---

Note from Joe Offer 24 Oct 2014: this is an exact transcription of the recording by the Mississippi Sheiks.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Put My Little Shoes Away
From:
Date: 02 Mar 99 - 09:29 PM

My mother use to sing this song to me.Does any body know the lyrics.Put My Little Shoes Away

Subject: RE: Lyrics for
From: Roger the zimmer
Date: 03 Mar 99 - 05:21 AM

Sittin'on top of the world: I always associate it with Howlin' Wolf, but lots of recordings by others as mentioned by other mudcatters.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for
From:
Date: 03 Mar 99 - 10:24 PM

Was Vinson the guitarist and Chatmon the fiddler? I knew they both comprised the sheiks, but I have never seen reference to who played what?

Here are the variations of the Sheiks' "Sitting on Top of the World" that I really like:

Charley Patton--"One Summer Day"
Doc Watson-- "Sitting on Top of the World"
Big Bill Broonzy--"I'll Worry you off of my Mind"

As I understand it Patton's version came soon afterwards. It is my favorite. I have a recording of Broonzy from betwen 1928 and 1935 that has his version. I assume Doc Watson's comes from the 50s. He and Patton do it more up tempo than the original.

Murray

Subject: RE: Lyrics for
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 04 Mar 99 - 03:24 AM

Murray, Walter Vinson played both guitar and fiddle, Sam Chatmon played guitar, Lonnie Chatmon played guitar and fiddle, Bo Carter played guitar (he also played fiddle, but I'm not sure that he did with the Sheiks)and Charlie McCoy played banjo and mandolin.

Brian.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sittin' on Top of the World
From: GUEST,taj mahal
Date: 29 Nov 03 - 03:21 AM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sittin' on Top of the World
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 29 Nov 03 - 09:19 AM

I believe it was Lonnie Chatmon who played the fiddle lead on the Sheiks' version. Love the Howlin' Wolf version too, though.

RtS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sittin' on Top of the World
From: 12-stringer
Date: 29 Nov 03 - 05:04 PM

Not to mention "Come On in My Kitchen," by Robert Johnson.

I recently watched a c1971 porn film called "Lady On Top" which featured a guitar band version of "Sitting on Top of the World" as background music (maybe the Cream cut?). Van Morrison sang over another sex scene but I'm sure he still doesn't know a thing about it.

Subject: Lyr Add: I'M SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Sep 10 - 10:05 PM

You can hear this recording at YouTube.


I'M SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Words, Sam Lewis & Joe Young. Music, Ray Henderson.*
New York : Leo. Feist, Inc., © 1925.
As recorded by Frank Crumit, December 31, 1925, Victor 19928A.

1. Don't want any millions. I'm gettin' my share.
I've only got one suit. That's all I can wear.
A bundle of money won't make you feel gay.
A sweet little honey is makin' me say:

CHORUS:
I'm sittin' on top of the world,
Just rollin' along, just rollin' along.
I'm quittin' the blues of the world,
Just singin' a song, just singin' a song.
Glory hallelujah! I just phoned the parson,
"Hey, Par, get ready to call."
Just like Humpty Dumpty I'm goin' to fall.
I'm sittin' on top of the world,
Just rollin' along, just rolling along.

2. Some people have diamonds and beautiful pearls,
While others have children, just kiddies with curls.
Keep all of your fortunes. Keep all of your fame.
I just found a sweetie who's changin' her name. CHORUS

3. Rolling in sunshine, rolling in health,
Means more than rolling in wealth.
Rolling in kindness, rolling in bliss,
Could anything be nicer than this?
Soon she'll roll up to the church with me,
And even if it's only rolls and coffee, I'll be
So happy—
I'm sittin' on top of the world,
Just rollin' along, just rollin' along.

[*Joe: I don't know where your Koehler/McHugh credit comes from. The catalog description for the sheet music can be found at Indiana University for example, and it confirms the attribution as I have given it.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sittin' on Top of the World
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Jun 14 - 01:56 PM

Al Jolson singing the Henderson, Lewis and Young song, "I'm Sitting on Top of the World," on youtube.
Other versions heard there by Dean Martin, Les Paul and Mary Ford, and Aretha Franklin.

Composed in flush times, but carried over into the Depression period and beyond.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sittin' on Top of the World
From: meself
Date: 29 Jun 14 - 02:49 PM

And then there's the Pogues song of the same name: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPb2VPDMi-o

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sittin' on Top of the World
From: Joe Offer
Date: 25 Oct 14 - 12:08 AM

Wikipedia has interesting articles on Sittin' on Top of the World, and on the Mississippi Sheiks.

Here's what they say about the members of the group:

The Mississippi Sheiks consisted mainly of the Chatmon family, who came from Bolton, Mississippi and were well known throughout the Mississippi Delta. The father of the family, Henderson Chatmon, had been a "musicianer" (someone with good technical ability on his or her instrument adept at sight-reading written music) during slavery times, and his children carried on the musical spirit. Their most famous (although by no means permanent) member was Armenter Chatmon - better known as Bo Carter - who managed a successful solo career as well as playing with the Sheiks, which may have contributed to their success.
When the band first recorded in 1930, the line-up consisted of Carter with Lonnie and Sam Chatmon, and Walter Vinson. Charlie McCoy (not to be confused with Charlie McCoy, a later American musician) played later, when Bo Carter and Sam Chatmon ceased playing full-time. It was Lonnie Chatmon and Vinson who formed the real center of the group.

The Wikipedia article on Sittin' on Top of the World has a photo of the record label, Okeh Cat. No. 8784. Title of the song is "Sitting on Top of the World" by Jacobs-Carter, recorded by the Mississippi Sheiks. The Wikipedia article says the song was recorded February 17, 1930, and the writers were Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon.

Note that the Digital Tradition says the song was written by Lonnie Carter and Walter Jacobs.

The Harry Fox Agency's Songfile.com says the song was written by L. Carter and Walter Jacobs Vinson, Publisher MPL Music Publishing, OBO Edwin H. Morris & Co.

So, the authorship is confusing, but it's clear that it was written by members of the Mississippi Sheiks.

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As for the other "Sitting on Top of the World," there is a fakebook index that attributes the song to McHugh/Koehler, but I think Jim Dixon's attribution (Words, Sam Lewis & Joe Young. Music, Ray Henderson) is more credible.