Lyr/Chords Req: Southern Railroad Blues (N Blake)

Subject: SOUTHERN RAILROAD BLUES
From: Jeep man
Date: 12 Jul 02 - 05:43 PM

This Norman Blake song is a puzzle to me. I can't figure out his key or chords or many words, but I love it.Help please. Jeep Man

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: SOUTHERN RAILROAD BLUES
From: Jeep man
Date: 12 Jul 02 - 10:48 PM

A song with this name was recorded in the '30's by Kokomo Arnold. I have not heard it. Refresh, Jim

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: SOUTHERN RAILROAD BLUES
From: masato sakurai
Date: 12 Jul 02 - 10:59 PM

Isn't it in the book The Norman Blake Anthology?

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: SOUTHERN RAILROAD BLUES
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 12 Jul 02 - 11:01 PM

Looking in Google, I found sound clips only of Arnold and Blake. From these clips, sounds like two entirely different songs although the title is the same.
In "The Long Steel Rail" by Norm Cohen, there is a railroad song called Southern Blues which is a different song altogether.

Subject: Lyr Add: SOUTHERN RAILROAD BLUES (Kokomo Arnold)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 12 Jul 02 - 11:15 PM

SOUTHERN RAIROAD BLUES
(Kokomo Arnold, 1935)

1 Says my gal she caught the Southern : and the fireman he rang the bell
2 And the engineer he left the station : just like a bat up out of hell
3 Said I waved my hand : she didn't even look around
4 Said and I felt like dropping : right down on the ground
5 Mama here I am : down on my bended knees
6 Says I'm crying to the good Lord : send me back my good gal if you please
7 Said now I got a notion : to leave this lonesome town
8 Says my gal she caught the Southern : and I know she done put me down
9 Now my old bones is aching : and my hair is turning grey
10 Said I'm going back home mama : and I'm going back there to stay

(From: Taft, Blues Lyric Poetry, p. 8)

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: SOUTHERN RAILROAD BLUES
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jul 02 - 07:23 PM

Masato, it is in the Anthology. My copy is unavailable for a while, but I will find it. Thanks, Jim

Subject: ADD Version: Southern Railroad Blues (N Blake)
From: GUEST,Corners 'n Edges
Date: 09 Aug 14 - 04:02 PM

Southern Railroad Blues / key of "D"
Norman Blake

SOUTHERN RAILROAD BLUES
(Norman Blake Version)

Well, gather 'round boys, let me tell you some n(ews)oise, for precious few is true
It's been a long, long wait since '38, and lordy I'm a telling' you, it's a two-tied shoe
I got the Southern Railroad Blues

Now, crossing lines with these modern times, for me it's a-gettin' hard
Wish I was back in Sulfur Springs (Georgia, where he was born), way down at the section       yard would do
Got the Southern Railroad Blues

Gold watch chains,like gold bar trains and manning overhauls
Workin' that track down to hell and back and drinkin' alkeeholl
All four roses too, got the Southern Railroad blues.

Sittin' in the kitchen just a chewing' and a bitchin' 'cause people was telling' lies
Back in '32 when the trestle fell through, and Jimmy Jesse Raglan died, engine 302
Got the Southern Railroad blues

Well, times is tough, loading tracks there up, gonna drive in every day
MacDell boys done bought up the land, way down on the freeway
They're comin' through, got the Southern Railroad blues.

Every day I just in Washington trust and lay it for me, it's true
I guess I'll live until I die and God knows I'm through, I believe in you
Got the Southern Railroad blues.

Bob Sontrop
London, Canada
August 9/ 14

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Southern Railroad Blues (N Blake)
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 14 - 10:27 PM

Bob-
You've got most of the lyrics right....but misued on a few of them.
1) it's a too tight shoe
2) Gold watch trains black coal-fired trains and men in overalls
3) Old Four Roses too (an old American brand of whiskey.
4)Times is tough loading track is rough I go driving every day
McDowell boys done bought up the land way down on the freeway