Lyr Add: Living with the Blues (Brownie McGhee)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Living with the Blues (Brownie McGhee)
From: GUEST,Blue Daniel
Date: 25 Apr 11 - 12:27 PM

Hi. The absolute best version of this song is from Don Mclean. The album is Playin Favorites.Thanks guys.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Living with the Blues (Brownie McGhee)
From: Severn
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 05:52 PM

And there's a live version from the Folkways LPs of the '59-'60 Newport Folk Festivals.


Severn

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Living with the Blues (Brownie McGhee)
From: sixtieschick
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 01:54 AM

I think The Joy of Cooking covered this too. If not, it was Tongue and Groove with Lynn Hughes. A distant memory...

Subject: RE: Living With The Blues
From: CraigS
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 05:45 PM

Thanks for that - the recording I had is in a French blues compilation which I bought remaindered in London for £4 about 15 years ago - I've got three of the four discs, but the relevant one is missing.

Subject: RE: Living With The Blues
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 03:39 PM

That seems to be the lyrics on my Terry/McGhee recording from 1960.

I can't find the Juke Block Busters anywhere, but there is a reference to a 1958 Savoy recording: "One of McGhee's last dates for Savoy in 1958 produced the remarkably contemporary "Living with the Blues," with Roy Gaines and Carl Lynch blasting away on lead guitars and a sound light years removed from the staid folk world." (See The Guitar Styles of Brownie McGhee - book advert).

There's also a Folkways compilation of recordings from 45-59 with it on: Brownie McGhee
The Folkways Years (1945-1959) Smithsonian Folkways 4003.

Mick

Subject: RE: Living With The Blues
From: fat B****rd
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 01:44 PM

Well,CraigS, You've certainly helped me !! I've been after this set of lyrics for ages. Thank you.

Subject: Lyr Add: LIVING WITH THE BLUES (Brownie McGhee)
From: CraigS
Date: 12 Apr 03 - 08:49 AM

I have these lyrics:
The Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry version of
       LIVING WITH THE BLUES      by Brownie McGhee

Rocks is my pillow, cold ground my bed
Blue sky is my blanket, moonlight my spread
I'm not ashamed, ain't that news, I've been living with the blues

You ever been down? - You know how I feel,
Feel like an engine, ain't got no driving wheel
I'm not ashamed, ain't that news, I've been living with the blues

Rocks have been my pillow, cold ground has been my bed
Blue skies have been my blanket, and the moonlight's been my spread

Oh,yes

You think I'm happy, you don't know my mind,
Smile on my face, but my heart's bleeding all the time
I'm not ashamed, ain't that news, I've been living with the blues

'Cause rocks have been my pillow, cold ground has even been my bed
Blue skies have been my blanket, and the moonlight's been my spread

Oh,yes

Don't believe I'm sinking, look what a hole I'm in,
Don't believe I love you, look what a fool I've been
I'm not ashamed, ain't that news, I've been living with the blues

Rocks have been my pillow, cold ground has been ol' Brownie's bed
Blue skies have been my blanket, and the moonlight's been my spread

Oh,yes

I work all summer, sleep all the fall,
Have to take my Christmas in my ol' overalls
But I'm not ashamed, ain't that news, I've been living with the blues
I'm not ashamed, oh no ,ain't that news, I've been living with the blues
Mama had 'em, my daddy had 'em too, I've been living with the blues


Rocks have been my pillow, cold ground has been ol' Brownie's bed
Blue skies have been my blanket, I've used the moonlight for my spread

You think I'm happy, you don't know my mind,
Smile on my face, but my heart's bleeding all the time
I'm not ashamed, ain't that news, I've been living with the blues
I'm not ashamed, oh no friends, ain't that a lot of news, I've been living with the blues
I'm not ashamed, deep down in my heart, ain't that news, I've been living with the blues

I know that there was an earlier version by Brownie McGhee and his Juke Block Busters - but that record walked out the door a long time ago. Anyone help?