Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues (Bessie Smith)

Subject: Lyr Add: SHIPWRECK BLUES (Bessie Smith)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 03:22 PM

Not exactly a nautical song but maybe other sea music folks would be interested in reviving this old blues. I'm not sure who actually composed it; the notes that came with the CD are silent on that point and I haven't done more than recheck what I hear from the CD with lyrics posted on the web:

SHIPWRECK BLUES

(As sung by Bessie Smith, originally recorded in 1931;
re-released on THE ESSENTIAL BESSIE SMITH, Columbia/Legacy-C2K64922, 1997)

Captain, tell your men to get on board,
I sure see 'em just pull into another shore.

I'm dreary in mind and I'm so worried in heart,
Oh, the best of friends sho' has got to part.

Blow your whistle, Captain, so your men'll know what to do,
Blow your whistle, Captain, so your men'll know what to do,
When a woman gets dreary, ain't no tellin' what she won't do.

It's cloudy outdoors as can be,
Oh it's cloudy as can be,
That's the time I need my good man with me.

It's rainin' and it's stromin' on the sea,
It's rainin', it's stormin' on the sea,
I feel like somebody has shipwrecked poor me.

Note: if you repeat the first line of the first two verses, you don't need to fill with instrumentation as was done on the CD. Your choice!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 04:38 PM

Red Hot Jazz has the 1931 Columbia Bessie Smith recording, which may be downloaded (along with steam-dozen others).
Bessie Smith
Thanks for posting the words.

AllMusic gives Bessie Smith as composer.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 06:34 PM

Thanks, Q. I certainly respect your web research skills in this kind of operation. Bessie Smith it is!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 06:11 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 01:13 PM

Can I direct you to "Shipwrecked Blues" sung by Clara Smith (no relation) written by Spencer Williams. Its in Red Hot Jazz, look under "muscians" for her. I think it a better song myself, the lyrics are more literate in following a thematic concept (Blimey! Did I really write that?)and being in a minor key is a nice variation for a blues to sing.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 03:51 PM

I've checked out the Red Hot Jazz site and downlouded a "ram" file of Clara Smith singing "Shipwreck Blues" but I can't get it to play. I don't suppose you, "Guest", would post Spencer William's lyrics.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 05:56 PM

The Clara Smith works with RealPlayer. Harder to understand than Bessie Smith. Very good accompaniment.

Subject: Lyr Add: SHIPWRECK BLUES (from Clara Smith)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 06:52 PM

Well, here's my best transcription of what Clara's singing:

Shipwreck Blues-2

(As sung by Clara Smith; composed by Spencer Williams, circa 1920?s; transcribed by Charlie Ipcar)

Oh, the gale is raging, and my ship's without a sail,
Oh, the gale is raging, and my ship's without a sail,
And the wind keep on a-blowing,
I won't be left to tell the tale.

Oh, the ship is sinking and the lightning struck the mast,
Now the ship is sinking and the lightning struck the mast,
And my crew is done deserted,
I've got to stick it to the last.

Oh, I don't mind drowning but the water is so cold,
No, I don't mind drowning but the water is so cold,
Yes, if I must leave this good work (world?)
I want to leave it brave and bold.

Mama's shipwrecked, shipwrecked, and she ain't got no time to lose,
Mama's shipwrecked, shipwrecked, and she ain't got no time to lose,
Oh, if someone don't save me,
I'll go down singing them shipwreck blues.

It's definitely a different song!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Jan 05 - 07:37 PM

I agree that the word is 'work.'
In the last line, I hear 'those' rather than 'them.'
Don't know why on first hearing I thought it was harder to understand. A good song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jan 05 - 12:23 PM

Charley - I've been away for a few days and would otherwise have posted the lyrics. The line, is In my opinion, " ...if I must leave this WORLD, I want to leave it brave and bold" The word "work" dosn't make sense. Sing On.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Jan 05 - 02:33 PM

Agree, it doesn't make sense. But doesn't sound like 'world.' A slip of the tongue?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Shipwreck Blues-Bessie Smith
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Jan 05 - 04:03 PM

Q-

That's what I was thinking. But then I can't resist improving things.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble