Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD- Best of the Memphis Jug Band From: GUEST,catherine yronwode Date: 09 Mar 16 - 09:58 PM In verse 2 on "A Black Woman is a like a Black Snake" Aw, [fish?] eye[d] women, they come from Jim Kinnane's Aw, [fish?] eye[d] women, they come from Jim Kinnane's When they get on Beale Street, they got to do the best they can, I mean, the best they can. The reference is to Jim Kannane's Monarch CLub, which also appears in Robert Wilkins' 1935 song "Old Jim Canaan's." It was built in 1910 and was also known as "The Castle of Missing Mem." The meaning seems to be that certain women, having no longer qualified to be sex workers at Jim Kinnane's, are now reduced to the role of streetwalkers on Beale Street. As for that first line, i have seen many attempts: Aw, fish-eyed women All peach-sized women A few shy women Ah, fleshized women Ah, flea-sized women Ah, fish-thigh women And what are "fish-eyed women"??? Well, according to the urban dictionary, the fish eye is defined as this: "Fish eye: The act in which the fellow, performing intercourse with his gal doggy-style, pulls out right before orgasm, spits on her back or neck to trick her into thinking he ejaculated on her, then shoots his load into her eye when she turns her head." Or, in India, "The name Meenakshi has a special meaning. Meena means fish and akshi means eyes. It is a description of the fish like eyes of the goddess of Madurai, known as "the fish-eyed goddess." |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD- Best of the Memphis Jug Band From: GUEST,cStu Date: 19 Mar 11 - 10:39 AM that line in Cocaine Habit Blues about Alma Rose and ? Wood I can't hear Angel or Mingle in there - it 'sounds like' preacher without the 'Pr', or perhaps EJ. I can hear how Old Crow Medicine Show got to using Elijah Wood in their version (or Elijah Wald maybe!) |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD- Best of the Memphis Jug Band From: Jim Dixon Date: 31 Aug 10 - 09:07 PM Well, I've heard several theories about the origin and meaning of "easeman" or "eastman"—all of them unprovable—but "easement" is a new one on me. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD- Best of the Memphis Jug Band From: GUEST Date: 31 Aug 10 - 07:29 PM On The Road Again .... correction ... 'she's a natural born easement ... ' meaning any one could 'travel' on her |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD- Best of the Memphis Jug Band From: GUEST,Art Jones Date: 05 Oct 03 - 10:20 PM instead of "they come from different lands" I think it should be "they got double dippin' hands". |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD- Best of the Memphis Jug Band From: GUEST,ART Date: 05 Oct 03 - 10:18 PM I agree with your deduction or translation, but have also though it might be natural born evil. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD- Best of the Memphis Jug Band From: GUEST,Leonard Date: 18 Nov 01 - 10:43 AM Excellent stuff! Just a few points: "Aunt Caroline Dyers" verse 4 "these women don't MEAN you no good..." "On the Road Again" : first line is "I WHIPPED my black woman" "Cocaine Habit": verse 2, "ask Alma Rose in Minglewood" (as in Minglewood Blues, Gus Cannon/Noah Lewis, "If you go down to Mephis, please stop by Minglewood, the womens in the cabins don't mean no man no good.") Also, I've never been able to decipher verse 2 on "A Black Woman is a like a Black Snake" and I don't think you've cracked it either but hopefully someone will post a correct version to this thread. Damn good shot though! I know that these lyrics come from a different time and a different place but they are too racist and sexist to pass muster today. Unless your into Gangsta Rap! |
Subject: Lyr Add: YOU MAY GO, BUT THIS WILL BRING YOU BACK^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 17 Nov 01 - 10:46 AM Here is the “coon song” I referred to in item #9 above. The song has little merit, I’m afraid, except for its historical interest. It’s obviously related to the Memphis Jug Band’s song, YOU MAY LEAVE, BUT THIS WILL BRING YOU BACK. The title is practically the only thing they have in common, however. This song makes it clear that “this” means money; the MJB song left “this” undefined. That implies (I think) that it didn’t NEED to be defined – the audience already knew what it meant. But I can’t quite believe that the following song was ever very popular in the black community. Is it possible that the following song and MJB’s song were BOTH derived from some other popular song? Or a popular saying?
YOU MAY GO, BUT THIS WILL BRING YOU BACK (A COON PROPHESY)
A gambling coon had a fuss with his gal one warm day in the spring.
CHO: "You may go, but this here will bring you back.
The summer passed and winter came. The ground was covered with snow,
CHO: You can go. I don't want you to ever come back.
A week ago, a darky went to a chicken coop at night,
CHO: "You may run, but the gun will bring you back,
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD, 'Best of the Memphis Jug B From: GutBucketeer Date: 30 Oct 01 - 09:32 PM Ooops. Talk about recursion and song circles! Please ignore the above post. I meant to post it to the Jug band thread and got confused. JAB turning very very red. |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD, 'Best of the Memphis Jug B From: GutBucketeer Date: 30 Oct 01 - 09:29 PM Here is another great thread compliments of Jim Dixon: |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD, 'Best of the Memphis Jug B From: GutBucketeer Date: 30 Oct 01 - 08:01 PM Oh Wow Oh Wow Oh Wow! Great job jim. I'm glad to know that there are a few Mudcatter's out there that enjoy this great music! Keep on thumpin' JAB |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD, 'Best of the Memphis Jug B From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 30 Oct 01 - 04:32 AM Bravo, Jim! RtS |
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Yazoo CD, 'Best of the Memphis Jug B From: RWilhelm Date: 29 Oct 01 - 05:53 PM Jim, I think in "On The Road Again" it should be "natural-born easeman" meaning someone who takes it easy and doesn't work. |
Subject: Lyr Add: GOT A LETTER FROM MY DARLIN'^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:50 PM 23. GOT A LETTER FROM MY DARLIN'
Got a letter from my darling, says, "Hurry home."
I got a letter from my darling, says, "Hurry home."
I'm coming home, mama, if I have to catch a cannonball.
I got a letter from my darling, says, "Hurry home."
[As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Will Shade and unknown, vocalists.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: MEMPHIS JUG^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:49 PM 22. MEMPHIS JUG
Rain, jump down, jump down, smelling like chance of rain. (2x)
I, I ain't gonna tell you no more. (Let me tell you, Lord.)
I ain't been your good man, mama, since you have been my Jane. (?) (2x)
I stuck with you, mama, when you did not have no man at all. (2x)
Lord, I can sit right here, partner, look on Culligan Avenue. (2x) [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1927, Will Shade, Will Weldon, and Charlie Polk, vocalists.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: INSANE CRAZY BLUES^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:48 PM 21. INSANE CRAZY BLUES (Now, let me hear it.)
I just now changed my notion to dive right in the ocean. [Scat interlude.]
Everybody knows it's love. Me and my little turtledove. [Scat interlude.]
Everybody calls it love. Me and my little turtledove. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1934, Will Shade and Charlie Burse, vocalists.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: STATE OF TENNESSEE BLUES^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:46 PM 20. STATE OF TENNESSEE BLUES
I'm worried now, and I won't be worried long. (2x)
Some sweet day, I say, that's a while. (2x)
When I leave this town, don't put black crape on my door. (2x)
I want all you women to strictly understand. (2x)
I got a voice like a radio that broadcasts everywhere. (2x)
I got a new way of spelling the dear old state of Tennessee. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1927, Jennie Clayton and Will Shade, vocalists.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: GOING BACK TO MEMPHIS^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:46 PM 19. GOING BACK TO MEMPHIS
I'm leaving here, mama. Don't you want to go? (2x)
When I get back to Memphis, you can bet I'll stay. (2x)
I love old Memphis, the place where I was born. (Sure do love it, boy.)
(Ah, if I just had railroad fare! It would be tight like that.)
I wrote my gal a letter way down in Tennessee. (Ah, today.)
I'm gonna walk and walk till I walk out all my shoes. (You'll be walking some.) [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Charlie Nickerson, vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: BEALE STREET MESS AROUND^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:45 PM 18. BEALE STREET MESS AROUND
Woke up early this morning, blues all 'round my bed. (2x)
I sit right here thinking thousand miles away.
I'm 'on' blow this town. Honey, it won't be long. (2x)
And I'm going for the summer. Won't be back at all.
Woke up Sunday morning, child. Honey, it won't be long.
If you take these blues, lay them on your shelf. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1927, Vol Stevens, vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: AMBULANCE MAN^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:44 PM 17. AMBULANCE MAN
Hey, daddy, hey, daddy, don't let me die in vain.
Heart is aching. Day's a-breaking. Listen to me, I pray.
Mister am'lance man, I can't stay still to save my soul. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Hattie Hart and Will Shade, vocalists.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: TAKING YOUR PLACE^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:43 PM 16. TAKING YOUR PLACE
Now tell me, baby, how come you do me this-a-way?
I love you, baby. I didn't know that you would do me this-a-way.
Now, you done throwed me, baby, until you have throwed me away. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1929, Will Shade, vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:42 PM 15. HE'S IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
I remember last election, (Yeah.)
You remember Henry Cruise (Oh, yes.)
[Instrumental interlude with harmonica solo.]
Son was walking down the street. (Yeah?)
Jim Johnson liked to roam around, (Yes.) [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Charlie Nickerson, vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: STEALIN' STEALIN'^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:40 PM 14. STEALIN' STEALIN' Stealing, stealing. Pretty mama, don't you tell on me.Now, put your arms around me like the circle round the sun. I want you to love me, mama, like my easy rider done. If you don't believe I love you, look what a fool I've been.The woman I'm loving she's just my height and size. She's a married woman come to see me sometimes. If you don't believe I love you, look what a fool I've been.[As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1928, Jab Jones, lead vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: MENINGITIS BLUES^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:40 PM 13. MENINGITIS BLUES
I come in home one Sat'day night, pull off my clothes and I lie down. (2x)
My head and neck was paining me. Feel like my back would break in two. (2x)
My companion take me to the doctor. "Doctor, please tell me my wife's complaint." (2x)
He take me round to the city hospital. The clock was striking ten. (2x)
Then the nurses all began to set around me. The doctors had done give me out. (2x)
Mm, the meningitis killing me. (2x) [Additional verse found at Harry's Blues Lyrics Online and sung by Memphis Minnie in another recording, but not in the Memphis Jug Band's recording -- inserted after verse 3:]
"Just take her 'round to the city hospital, just as quick quick as you possible can. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Memphis Minnie, vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: SHE STAYS OUT ALL NIGHT LONG^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:39 PM 11. MEMPHIS SHAKEDOWN [Instrumental] 12. SHE STAYS OUT ALL NIGHT LONG (Oh, tell it, … tell it.)
I told my old lady, no longer than week 'fore last.
How can a poor man sleep, Lord, when the one he loves stays out all night long?
[Instrumental interlude featuring guitar solo.]
Lord, how can a poor man sleep when the one he loves stays out all night long? [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1928, Will Shade, vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: MEMPHIS YO YO BLUES^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:38 PM 10. MEMPHIS YO YO BLUES
I woke up this morning feeling sad and blue.
I went downtown, called my daddy on the phone.
If you don't b'lieve I can yo-yo, watch me wind my string.
Bring your yo-yo. Wind the string around my thumb.
If your daddy can't yo-yo, you better learn him how. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1929, Hattie Hart, vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: YOU MAY LEAVE, BUT THIS WILL BRING...^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:37 PM 9. YOU MAY LEAVE, BUT THIS WILL BRING YOU BACK
My father was a jockey, learned me to ride behind.
I walked around the corner to the peanut stand.
You quit me, pretty mama, 'cause you couldn't be my boss,
Just a nickel's worth of meal, a dime's worth of lard
I'm satisfied, satisfied. [Additional verse found at the St. Louis Zipper web site, but not in the Memphis Jug Band's recording:]
I'm built like a tadpole, shaped like a frog.
[As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Charlie Nickerson, vocalist. Tote-loader shaker seems to have been someone employed in a mill who would shake the "tote-box", presumably to empty it. This may have been the origin of the ragtime "todalo dance." The refrain (and not much else) is apparently taken from a popular 1898 "coon" song in which "this" obviously means "money."] |
Subject: Lyr Add: COAL OIL BLUES^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:35 PM 8. COAL OIL BLUES
Woke up early, early this morning, blues all 'round my bed.
If you be bent down, you just know just how I feel.
Woke up early, early this morning, raging blues all 'round my bed
Oh, the preacher in the pulpit, he laid his Bible down
And the jury called on Johnny, sure was a born in hell.
[Instrumental interlude, with harmonica solo.]
(I 'spect I'm gonna have to leave this town, boy.)
If I feel tomorrow just like I feel right now, [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1928, Vol Stevens, vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: COCAINE HABIT BLUES^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:34 PM 7. COCAINE HABIT BLUES
Cocaine habit's mighty bad.
If you don't believe cocaine is good,
Since cocaine went out of style, (… take a whiff on Hattie, now.) Hey, hey, hey. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Hattie Hart, vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: K. C. MOAN^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:33 PM 6. K. C. MOAN
I thought I heard that K. C. when she blow. (3x)
When I get back on that K. C. Road, (3x) [Variations recorded by the Grateful Dead, but not in the Memphis Jug Band's recording:]
I thought I heard that diesel engine moan. (3x)
When I get back on the K. C. road, (3x) [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1929. According to The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics, the "Casey moan" was a moaning sound produced by a train whistle, the trademark of Casey Jones. "K. C. Road" probably referred to the Kansas City, Memphis, and Birmingham Railroad. The two concepts might have been confused by singers.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: ON THE ROAD AGAIN^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:32 PM 5. ON THE ROAD AGAIN
I would not -- black woman, tell you the reason why. (Why?) She's on the road again, just as sure as you're born.I went to my window. My window was propped. I went to my door. My door was locked. I stepped right back. I shook my head. A big black nigger in my folding bed. I shot through the window. I broke the glass. I never seen a little nigger run so fast. He's on the road again, …Your friend come to your house, while passing, to rest his hat. (Yeah.) The next thing he want to know where's your husband at. She says, "I don't know. He's on his way to the pen." "Come on, mama, let's get on the road again." He's on the road again, …Come on, mama, on the road again. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1928, Will Shade and Charlie Burse, vocalists. According to the "Dictionary of American Regional English," eastman or easeman: "among black speakers, old-fashioned ... A man who lives on money earned by a woman." This definition is unsatisfactory, because the sung lyrics clearly apply the term to women as well as men.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: PAPA'S GOT YOUR WATER ON^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:31 PM 4. PAPA'S GOT YOUR WATER ON
[Female voice:] Say, you tell me who's the flapper I see you with every night.
I'm going to make you wish you never had been born.
If you don't have me, papa, you won't have no gal at all.
Come on, old papa, 'cause mama ain't mad at you. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Hattie Hart, lead vocalist.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: AUNT CAROLINE DYER BLUES^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:30 PM 3. AUNT CAROLINE DYER BLUES
I'm going to Newport News just to see Aunt Caroline Dye.
I'm going to Newport News, partner, catch a battleship across the dog-gone sea.
Aunt Caroline Dye she told me, "Son, you don't have to live so rough."
Aunt Caroline Dye she told me, "Son, these women don't treat you no good."
I am leaving in the morning. I don't want no one to feel blue. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Will Shade, vocalist. According to the Lucky W Amulet Archive, Aunt Caroline Dye was a real person, although the singer seems to have confused her actual hometown, Newport, Arkansas, with Newport News, Virginia, a naval port. The spelling "Dyer" in the song title is apparently a transcriber's error, since the singer clearly rhymes "Dye" with "lie."] |
Subject: Lyr Add: A BLACK WOMAN IS LIKE A BLACK SNAKE^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:29 PM 2. A BLACK WOMAN IS LIKE A BLACK SNAKE
A black woman is like a black snake. She will strike and run.
All peach-sized (?) women, they come from different lands.
I wouldn't marry a black woman. I'll tell you the reason why. [Repeat verse 2. Then instrumental interlude. Then repeat verse 2 again.] [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1928, Will Shade and Charlie Burse, vocalists.]
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Subject: Lyr Add: TIRED OF YOU DRIVING ME^^ From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:27 PM 1. TIRED OF YOU DRIVING ME
I woke up this morning, the crying blues on my mind.
I'm tired of you driving me, drive me, baby, all the time. [Instrumental interlude]
And if you don't want me, baby, sure don't have to pay me no mind. [As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1929, Ben Ramey, vocalist.] |
Subject: Yazoo CD, 'Best of the Memphis Jug Band' From: Jim Dixon Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:25 PM The recent thread Jug Band and Skiffle Song Lyrics and Chords showed me there might be significant interest in this CD: "The Best of the Memphis Jug Band," Yazoo 2059, 2001. …so I will post my transcriptions in this thread.
[Brakets] enclose my comments and explanations. In the interest of keeping the lyrics easily searchable, I have used standard spellings (stealing) rather than dialect (stealin') except in song titles (where I have kept the spelling exactly as printed on the CD contents list), and when dialect is essential to preserve a rhyme or the number of syllables. I have not changed grammar. There are some songs here that I would not recommend to sing in public without some crucial changes. I hope they will be self-evident. Naturally, I would appreciate any corrections or additions. |
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