Lyr Req: River Blues / Ready for the River

Subject: Lyr Req: River Blues
From: MickyMan
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 06:58 PM

Does anybody know the words to "River Blues" ... a song that includes the staring lyric "I'm ready for that river, that Shivarrey river, so get that river ready for me". I'm familiar with a version done way back toward the late 70's, sung by Lynn Hardy. From what I can tell it's an old traditional jazz song. I believe it only had one verse, but I'm hoping to hear about some more. Come on there, you hot old ragtime blues catters ... give it to me.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River Blues
From: Peace
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 07:02 PM

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Leave behind my troubles
And leave just some bubbles
To indicate what used to be me

I made my will
I wrote some notes
I'm gonna keep walking 'till my straw hat floats

I'm ready for that river
That shivery river
So get that river ready for me

River blues - Traditional
__________________

I found that with a Google of

"so get that river ready for me"

I used quotation marks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River Blues
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 19 Jan 06 - 09:56 PM

See this thread: Lyr Req: River Blues (from R. Crumb)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River Blues
From: GUEST,David Deacon
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 10:36 AM

I have another verse. I must have learned it from Lynn Hardy at the Middletown (NJ) back about 1978. I don't know how trustworthy my memory is but I've enjoyed the song for years.

Travelled the world and I'm all through with it
No more will I roam.
Burned my home, what can I do with it?
I can't live all alone.
No use wasting time
I just know that I am ready


I'm ready for that river, that shivery river
Get that river ready for me
I'm gonna drown my troubles, there will be just some bubbles,
To indicate what used to be me.

I can't swim, neither can I float
I got a lot of lead pipe in my overcoat
I'm ready for that river, that shivery river
River that leads down to the sea, the sea
River that leads down to the sea.

Ain't no used to try and slow me down
I can't stay, no I just can't stay
I had a gal and I had her through me down
She's gone away
It was solitude that put me in this mood

I'm ready for that river, that shivery river
Get that river ready for me
I'm gonna drown my troubles, there will be just some bubbles,
To indicate what used to be me.

I made my will, I wrote some notes
I'm gonna keep walking till my straw hat floats
I'm ready for that river, that shivery river
River that leads down to the sea, the sea
River that leads down to the sea.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: River Blues
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 29 Jan 06 - 10:27 PM

It's been recorded by Bruce Hutton, on his hard to find Marimac recording, Roll Back the Carpet. It's a a wonderful version on a great tape - I wish he'd realease it on CD some day.

Dan Schatz