Lyr Req: Diggin' My Potatoes (Washboard Sam)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Diggin' My Potatoes (Washboard Sam)
From: GUEST,Davy
Date: 20 Jan 18 - 04:58 PM

So is everyone avoiding the "meaning"? Sounds like it means cheating or being unfaithful. The cuckold says it of the lover, "he's been etc.." but the implication is that his woman is being unfaithful. The image of her body as a potato bed being "gardened" is sexist at best. When Bill Broonzy sings it as "digging my potatoes", the sense of infidelity becomes confused. I think the jury is still out, and a certain prudery infects the Internet, I think. Do a search and you'll find quite different meanings suggested .

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Diggin' My Potatoes (Washboard Sam)
From: GUEST,iamjmb53
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 05:21 PM

How about:

"Someone's diggin my potatoes
They've left hem in the bin,
And now that someone's gone
And see the trouble I've got in."

Is this one of the verses?

Words from "The Stand" by Stephen King

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Diggin' My Potatoes (Washboard Sam)
From: GUEST,Eazy
Date: 11 Jul 10 - 06:10 AM

Go listen to the Ledbelly version on youtube you will see that the gun is a shotgun and i don't recall the tickler in there so a later addition maybe but there are a hell of a lot of variations i think the Ladbelly version is definetly the greatest he got payed $100 to play it again in a joint before he was about to leave. there are words to the tune on you tube as well. Hope it helps.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Diggin' My Potatoes (Washboard Sam)
From: GUEST,Jax, Lonnie Fan
Date: 04 Oct 09 - 10:03 AM

Yep that sounds about right, thought it was somethin else to be honest that i kinda didn't want to type but you have got it, hope you like my version that i typed out

Peace xx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Diggin' My Potatoes
From: Bugsy
Date: 30 Sep 09 - 02:04 AM

I think the line was
Oh! You stuck on my sweet bone"

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: Lyr Add: DIGGIN' MY POTATOES (from Lonnie Donegan)
From: GUEST,Jax, Lonnie Fan
Date: 29 Sep 09 - 06:46 PM

Lonnie's version is:

Somebody's diggin' my potatoes,
tramplin' on my vine,
well I have a worried feelin'
restin' on my mind.

I crept up to the window,
thought I heard a moan,
well I heard somebody say "OH!"
you.....(don't know that bit lol)

Yes you diggin' my potatoes,
tramplin' on my vine,
yes I have a worried feelin'
restin' on my mind.

Now my vines was all green
my potatoes red,
thought was my friend
'til I caught you in my bed,

Yes you diggin' my potatoes,
tramplin' on my vine,
yes I have that worried feelin'
restin' on my mind.

Now I wanna tell you boy,
leave my girl alone,
ain't nothin in the streets boy,
that she can't find at home,

Yes you diggin' my potatoes,
tramplin' on my vine,
yes I have that worried feelin'
restin' on my mind.

Tell me your worries boy (piano solo)

Love you in the winter,
I love you in the fall,
but its in between them blankets,
woow I love you best of all,

Yes you diggin' my potatoes,
tramplin' on my vine,
Lord I have a worried feelin'
restin' on my mind.

Yeah I crept us to the window,
'cause I thought I heard a whine.
Well I heard somebody say "OH!"
Good Lord you Dirty Swine!

Why you're diggin' my potatoes,
tramplin' on my vine,
yes I have that worried feelin'
restin' on my mind.

restin' on my mind
restin' on my mind
restin' on my mind

Lol, this was banned by the BBC, no wonder lol

Peace xx

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Diggin' My Potatoes
From: banjoman
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 08:28 AM

I have got the Lonnie Donnegan record somewher. I think that this was banned by the BBC

Subject: Lyr Add: DIGGIN' MY POTATOES (from Lead Belly)
From: GUEST,Anita
Date: 13 Mar 08 - 12:51 AM

I hope this transcription might help. This album had no info or recording dates, no credits, no nothin' but general comments. What a shame and how irresponsible!) If you ever need lyrics you can't find let me know.
You have a great site here with very dedicated musicians!


Diggin' My Potatoes    2:35   Trk 1 Disc 2
Huddie Ledbetter
Huddie Ledbetter - vocal and guitar
w/Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
Album: The Essential by Allegro Classic Blues
CBL 200003 (no details encl)
Transcriber: [e-mail]



Somebody's diggin' my potatoes
Trampin' on my vines
I have a 'spicious feelin'
Restin' on my mind

I tipped up to her window
Thought I heard her moan
I know how the spuds get old
Good God, shove the gun in home

Boy, he's diggin my potatoes
Trampin' on my vines
I have the strangest feeling
Restin' on my mind
(Restin' on my mind)

I tipped up to the window
Couldn't see 'em for some vine                                    
After while heard somebody get hoed
Good God I heard 'em whine

Boy, he's diggin my potato
Trampin' on my vines
I have a 'specious feeling
Resting on my mind
(Resting on my mind)

Well, I wanna tell you neat (uh-ha)
Leave my girl alone
Ain't nothing in the street
She can't find at home

But your diggin' my potato
Tramplin' on my vine
Well, I have a special plan
Resting on my mind
(Restin' on my mind)

Well, my barn was all green
My potatoes red
Thought you were my friend
If I caught you in my bed

But you diggin' my potato
Trampin' on my vine
Babe, I have a special thing
Restin' on my mind
(Restin' on my mind)

'Play some now'

I tipped up to my window
Thought I heard her moan (yes sir)
I don't wanna hear'd some 'bout yo hoes
Good God, I've got to go

Boy, he's diggin my potato
Hangin' on my vine
I had a 'spicious feelin
Restin' on my mind

Restin' on my mind
(Restin' on my mind)

Restin' on my mind
(Restin' on my mind)

~

Subject: Lyr Add: DIGGIN' MY POTATOES (Washboard Sam)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Dec 07 - 12:07 PM

This is from Michael Taft's Pre-War Blues Lyrics:

DIGGIN' MY POTATOES
Washboard Sam
Chicago, 15 May 1939
(034797- ) BB-B8211 BC-10

Baby's digging my potatoes : tramping on my vines
I have a special plan : resting on my mind

I don't eat no cabbage sprouts : bring me solid head
Go to call a wagon : if I find him in my bed

Now she powdered her face : *Lord her* wavy hair
Caught a taxicab : she's out across town somewhere

Said my vine's coloured green : potatoes solid red
Never found a bruised one : till I caught them in my bed

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Diggin' My Potatoes
From: GUEST,RickS
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 10:34 AM

Some extra verses, ex-Broonzy IIRC; -

My vines is all green, taters is red,

I never found a bruised one til I caught him in my bed..


I went downtown this mornin, left my gate unlatched,

When I got back home, found he'd been rootin' in my patch..


If I catch that rounder, been diggin' in my ground,

I'm tellin you sweet mama, gon' tear his vines on down..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Diggin' My Potatoes
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 08:54 AM

Somebody's diggin' my potatoes,
trampin' on my vine
I have a fishy feelin'
restin' on my mind


I tiptoed up to the window
Wished I had a gun
My vine's gone rotten bad
and that cat was going some

Chorus:

Boy he's digin' my potatoes
(Repeat 2nd 3rd and 4th lines)


Tiptoed up up to my tatta patch gate
an' the gate was latched
looked around and there was a whole load of gooseberry's
comin' out of my potato patch

Chorus

I tiptoed up to my window
Couldn't see nothing but some vine
What's that? I said oh daddy
Good gosh I heard a whine


Chorus

Tiptoed up to my window
Everybody was drinkin' scotch
Heard her whine and say
Oh daddy, this is somthin' you gotta watch


Cho

Tiptoed up to my window
Everybody was drinkin' beer
Heard her whine and say
Oh daddy, I'm so damn glad you're here


Cho

tiptoed up to my window
Everybody was drinkin gin
Heard her whine and say
Oh daddy, where in the god-damned hell you been?


Cho

Speaks "Dig 'em"

Boogy Woogy Guitar Break

Cho

I tiptoed up to my window
Had a hit on some wood
Heard her whine and say
Oh daddy, It sure is gettin good


Cho

I tiptoed up to the window
had a hit on the door
Heard her whine and say
Go home, baby, and come back to get some more


Cho

I tiptoed up to my window
Couldn't see nothing but that wiggle
Heard her whine and say
Oh daddy You got on a french tickler

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From:
Date: 17 Apr 98 - 08:42 PM

I see the line breaks didn't come out on the abc file. That seems to happen when I copy and paste from another source. Somehow the line breaks supplied by the little editor for the posting window doesn't pick them up.

Anyway, Put a line break before each letter followed by a colon (eg T:) and between "200" and "C". Make sure all the lines start flush against the left margin and it should play with an abc player, or get properly converted to MIDI by a converter.

I forgot to add the paragraph: I would appreciate any changes, additions, etc to the lyrics and to the abc file.

Murray

Subject: Lyr Add: DIGGIN' MY POTATOES (Lead Belly)
From:
Date: 17 Apr 98 - 08:14 PM

Here is what I hear. I have tried my hand at "earing" an abc file. If the "PRE" command works, it should be nicely laid out on the bottom.

Murray

Somebody's diggin' my potatoes,
trampin' on my vine
I have a special feelin'
restin' on my mind

I tiptoed up to the window
Wished I had a gun
I vine jumped all around and back
and that cat was gone some

Chorus:

Boy he's digin' my potatoes
(Repeat 2nd 3rd and 4th lines)

Tiptoed up up to my potatoe patch
an' the gate was latched
looked around and there was a xxxx
He was comin' out of my potato patch

Chorus

I tiptoed up to my window
xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chorus

Tiptoed up to my window
Everybody was drinkin' scotch
an' while I heard her
Oh daddy, this is somthin' you gotta watch

Cho

Tiptoed up to my window
Everybody was drinkin' beer
an while I heard her
Oh daddy, I'm so damn glad you're here

Cho

tiptoed up to my window
Everybody was drinkin gin
an while I heard her
Oh daddy, where in the god-damned hell you been?

Cho

Speaks "Dig 'em"

Boogy Woogy Guitar Break

Cho

I tiptoed up to my window
Had her hand on some wood
an while I heard her
Oh daddy, It sure is gettin good

Cho

I tiptoed up to the window
had her hand on the door
an while I heard her sayin'
Go home, baby, and come back to get some more

Cho

I tiptoed up to my window
Couldn't see nobody with her
an while I heard her say
Oh daddy You got on a xxxxxxxxxxx

Cho

ABC File:

X:1
  T:Diggin' My Potatoes (Chorus Only)
  N:Transcribed from the Leadbelly performance on the "last Sessions"
  N:Recording.  C 1994 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.
  K:C
  L:1/8
  M:3/8
  Q:200
  CCC|CCC|C(CC|C)EF|E2(D|D)C2|zCC|CCC|(CCC)|(EEE)|(FF)(E|E)(DD)|(CCC|C)zz||

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From: Max
Date: 16 Apr 98 - 08:41 PM

That's from the Leadbelly last sessions. A friend took my cd's so all I got is my memory. Tried to get him to do it, but he's a punk.

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From: Max
Date: 16 Apr 98 - 12:19 PM

4?. Looked up in the window, everybody was drinking scotch. I said oh daddy this is something you got to watch.

5?. Looked up in that window, everybody was drinkin gin. ?mamma said to daddy?, where the god damn hell you been.

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From: Rockaday Johnnie
Date: 16 Apr 98 - 11:30 AM

This is from an old Dave Van Ronk Jugband lp on Mercury:

1. Tipped up to my window, thought I heard a moan, Thought I heard somebody say,”Good God, I got to go...” Somebody’s been diggin’ my potatoes, Tramplin’ on my vine, I gotta special notion, restin’ on my mind,

2. Looked up in my window, t’see what I could see, Saw another man in my bed, I knew it was not me,

3. Listen to me folks, leave my gal alone, Nothin’ in the streets, that you can’t find at

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From: Chris Siegel
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 04:54 PM

I have a cassette somewhere with a version by Rick Ruskin. I will try and dig it out.

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From:
Date: 12 Apr 98 - 09:16 PM

C'mon somebody. Beat me to it. I listened to the Leadbelly version and I can't understand enough of it to transcribe it!!

Murray

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From: BAZ
Date: 12 Apr 98 - 04:43 PM

I've got this by Lonnie Donegan (who? I hear you ask) but I've had it since it came out and it's on a 78 and I don't have the means to play it!
Sorry! Baz

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From: Kazoo
Date: 12 Apr 98 - 12:08 PM

Sorry, I was totally wrong. Not the first time. That song is not on my James Cotton album. Although, I know I have heard him sing it. If I find it one of my collection tapes I'll get back to ya. Good luck. K-zoo

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From:
Date: 10 Apr 98 - 08:41 PM

Leadbelly does it in the "Last Sessions" album. I can't play the CD now, but I will try to transcribe it later if I don't see somebody beat me to it.

Murray

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From: Kazoo
Date: 10 Apr 98 - 05:10 PM

That's real oldie, but a great one. I have it on a live album by James Cotton. I think it is "Live at Biddy Mulligans" a Chicago club. I'll listen to it for the lyrics and get back to ya. P.S. That is a KILLER album! One of his most cookin' bands. Kazoo

Subject: RE: Diggin My Potatoes
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 10 Apr 98 - 04:35 PM

Cliff.......

Set your way-back machine and do a thread search for 'potatoes' for an earlier discussion.

Seems the issue was never fully resolved, so I may have to dig out my Van Ronk jugband album and transcribe it. Let's see if anyone comes up with words first.

...Tiger

Subject: Diggin My Potatoes-Blues #
From: Cliff
Date: 10 Apr 98 - 02:27 PM

I am looking for a Blues song that I heard from an old Piedmont Blues guitarist which I believe is titled Diggin My Potatoes. It is full of great imagery about infidelity with the line 'he's been diggin my potatoes baby, trampling on my vine' stickin in my head. Any help would be appreciated. Its fairly popular but I can't find the lyrics. I looked in Mudcat under Potatoes and nothing comes up.