Lyr Req: Never Drive a Stranger from Your Door

Subject: Willie Harris- Never drive a stranger...
From:
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 04:31 PM

Hi there! On the beginning I would apologise for my mistakes. I' m from Poland and I'm not very good in English. I' m listening blues for 5 years (gee, it was so long time ago- I was 13!). I started from country blues and I'm listening all kinds of prewar blues since today (but my favorite is Piedmont blues). I don't think do I ever will like the postwar period (expecting the recordings in spirit of rural).
   I've found this site when I'm was looking for lyrics of Talkin' Casey by Mississippi John Hurt- one of my favorite guitarists. I was trying everywhere in internet but without any success. When I read yours transcription I was really suprised. People who listen the blues and MJH too- whoa! In Poland it's very hard to met someone who likes this music and it's almost impossible to find someone who likes that kind of blues!
   The transcription is brilliant! I translated some phrases by myself, but generally it was a simple mumbling for me. Now I understand everything:). So I though you can also transcribe (if you know it) this beautiful song played by Willie Harris. It was recorded in 1930 and I think it's quite rare recording but I get it on the compilation made by INDIGO (Sanctuary Records Group) "Roll and Tumble Blues- a history of slide guitare".
   I'm looking for a tabulature of this song too. I'm playing guitar for 5 months (and harmonica for 3 years- Sonny Terry rules!) so I'm not familiar with the chords etc. I think there is something like constant bass and it's played in open F so- I should get E and put the capo on 2 fret or tune guitare strightly for F? I would love to play it someday- even only the melody:).
PS. I'm really sorry for the length of the letter...

Thanks for your time. Cheers.

Adam

This is what I managed to transcribe

Willie Harris- "Never Drive A Stranger From Your Door"

Oh she(?) never drive a stranger from your door,
Never drive a stranger from your door,
If he come to your home, got no place to go,
Make him down a pallet on your floor.

Xxxxx she(?) make me down a pallet on your floor,
Make me down a pallet on your floor,
Make it soft and low, right behind your door,
Make it(?) way your husband never know.

Oh, what make I love my baby so,
What make I love my baby so,
Tell me, what make I love my baby so,
She xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Honey, baby I said(?) xxxxxxxx do love you,
Honey, baby I said(?) xxxxxxxx do love you,
Honey, baby I said(?) xxxxxxxx do love you,
I don't like xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx way you do.

Oh, she(?) never drive a stranger from your door,
Never drive a stranger from your door,
If I come to your home, got no place to go,
Make me down a pallet on your floor.

Subject: Lyr Add: MAKE ME A PALLET ON YOUR FLOOR
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 07:02 AM

Sounds a bit like a song popularised in English folk clubs by Derek Brimstone, a London singer. MAKE ME A PALLET ON YOUR FLOOR.

I used to have tab for it by Happy Traum (American picker) in an old book somewhere. If you PM me your address, I will search it out for you. Though my house is being redecorated at moment, it may be a while till I lay my hands on it. I believe Cisco Houston used to sing it as well.

Please don't have prejudices about different kinds and periods of music. That's only for old farts whose brains don't work properly. Keep an open mind as long as you can. In all ages and all styles of music there are some good men and women trying to achieve something worthwhile.

Making music that you don't warm to and enjoy immediately isn't a crime like being a serial killer or something.
You can play it in Open E or Open D: DADF#AD

The word s Derek sings are:

CHORUS: Make me a pallet on your floor. (X2)
Make it soft, make it low, make it down by the door.
Make me a pallet on your floor.

Got the blues I'm so dissatisfied.
Believe I take a southbound train and ride.
If I get to Memphis, and I got no no place to go,
Make me a pallet on your floor.

Never turn a stranger from your door. (X2)
It might be your best friend knocking on your door,
Looking for a pallet on the floor.

Come all you good-time friends of mine. (X2)
You're all standing round me, now I'm doing fine.
Where were you when I didn't have a dime?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Willie Harris- Never drive a stranger...
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 11:38 PM

Adam: I've been listening to sound samples at several websites, and I think I can fill in a few holes in your lyrics:

Verse 2, line 1:
Baby, won't you make me down a pallet on your floor,

Verse 2, line 4:
Make it where your husband never know.

Verse 3, line 4:
She'd make five dollars then she'd give me four.

Subject: Lyr Add: NEVER DRIVE A STRANGER FROM YOUR DOOR
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Dec 11 - 02:12 AM

I have now listened to the whole song on Spotify. Here's how I hear it:


NEVER DRIVE A STRANGER FROM YOUR DOOR
As sung by Willie Harris on "Rare Country Blues (1927-1937)" (Document Records DOCD-5170, 2005)

Oh should never drive a stranger from your door.
Never drive a stranger from your door.
If he come to your home, got no place to go,
Make him down a pallet on your floor.

Won't you make me down a pallet on your floor?
Make me down a pallet on your floor.
Make it soft and low, right behind your door.
Make it where your husband never know.

Oh, what make I love my baby so?
What make I love my baby so?
Tell me, what make I love my baby so?
She make five dollars then she give me four.

Honey, baby, I certainly do love you.
Honey, baby, I certainly do love you.
Honey, baby, I certainly do love you.
I don't like that low-down way you do.

Oh, should never drive a stranger from your door.
Never drive a stranger from your door.
If I come to your home, got no place to go,
Make me down a pallet on your floor.