Lyr/Tune Add: Farewell to Storyville

Subject: Lyr Add: FAREWELL TO STORYVILLE
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 08:48 AM

Billie Holiday, in the 1947 Arthur Lubin film "New Orleans," sang what just might be the best lament for New Orleans ever.

The occasion was the police crackdown on the notorious Storyville section with its clubs, whorehouses, gangsters and dives. In the movie all the clubs close, lights go out, and the denizens of Storyville turn out by night, singing Billie's song as they wind through the streets in a mighty exodus.

Though not about a flood, the song rings some dire changes on the present evacuation and the rumors of elite resettlement plans. And it's just plain beautiful. A worthy tribute to a great city in pain.

FAREWELL TO STORYVILLE
As sung by Billie Holiday

All you old-time queens from New Orleans
Who live in Storyville,
You sang the blues, tried to amuse,
Here's how they paid the bill,
The law stepped in, and called it sin
To have a little fun,
The police cop has made us stop
And Storyville is done,

REFRAIN
Pick out your steamboat, pick yourself a train (a slow ol' train),
Pick out your steamboat, pick yourself a train (a slow ol' train),
They made you close up, they'll never let you back (let you back),
Go buy your ticket, or else you'll walk the track, (walk the track)
No use complaining, blue skies follow rain (the cold ol' rain),
No use complaining, blue skies follow rain (the cold ol' rain),
Just say farewell now, and get your one last thrill (your one last thrill),
Just say farewell now, farewell to Storyville.

Here's the tune ABC fashion:

.G .A C C .A    .C .A C C .A   A   Eb C    Eb D   C

.G .A C C .A    .C .A C C .A    D D .B D D D

Repeat line 1 tune

.A .B D D .G .B D D .B D C .B .A .G


REFRAIN:

~E E E C# .A    E .A E E D      (.Å C C .B-A)

~D D D .B .G    Eb C Eb D   D-C    (.A C C B-A)

This two-line tune just repeats over and over throughout the remaining lines of the refrain. It'll tug at your heart.

Blessings,

Bob

Subject: RE: LYR ADD: 'Farewell to Storyville'
From: 12-stringer
Date: 12 Sep 05 - 12:56 PM

The movie was on Turner Classics in August (I try to catch it every time it's on), and that scene has been on my mind for days, too! With this, and the constant use of "Do You Know What It Means," a modest 1940s B-movie takes on considerable poignancy 60 years down the line.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Tune Add: Farewell to Storyville
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Sep 05 - 11:11 PM

The Red Hot Jazz Archive has a recording of FAREWELL TO STORYVILLE performed by Kid Ory's Creole Orchestra, recorded in 1946. The vocalist might be either Cecile Ory or Helen Andrews-Williams; the info there isn't clear. The lyrics are nearly identical to the ones posted above.

Various sources say Spencer Williams wrote FAREWELL TO STORYVILLE.

Spencer Williams the composer is not to be confused with Spencer Williams the actor who played Andy in the TV version of "Amos 'n' Andy" in 1951.

Subject: Lyr Add: GOOD TIME FLAT BLUES (Spencer Williams)
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 23 May 18 - 04:38 PM

Good Time Flat Blues (Farewell to Storyville
also w&m Spencer Williams but not the same as above.

Miss Lizzie Green in New Orleans,
Runs a good time flat
Selling booze and singing blues,
Down where she's at.

The other day, I heard her say,
Things are getting tough
'Nother cop done made me stop
On my street it's rough.

Can't sell no whiskey, I can't sell no gin.
Ain't sell no whiskey, I can't sell no gin.

Ain't got no money, to buy my winter coal.
Ain't saved a dollar, to save my doggone soul.

I can't keep open I'm gonna close the shack.
I can't keep open, I'm gonna close the shack.

The chief of police done torn my playhouse down.
No use in grieving, I'm gonna leave this town.

Transcribed from:
Maggie Jones (The Texas Nightingale) ?– Screamin' The Blues; b/w Good Time Flat Blues, Columbia, 10” - 78rpm, ?14055-D, 10 Feb. 1925.
Uncredited: Cornet - Louis Armstrong; Piano - Fletcher Henderson.

YT: Maggie Jones - Good Time Flat Blues

Subject: RE: Lyr/Tune Add: Farewell to Storyville
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 23 May 18 - 04:42 PM

Some background:

Storyville

Temperance movement

Ditto social hygiene

Subject: RE: Lyr/Tune Add: Farewell to Storyville
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 May 18 - 08:56 AM

The film scene referenced in the first message can be seen at YouTube.