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Lyr Add: Slavery Time (Lightnin' Hopkins)

18 Jun 08 - 02:29 PM (#2369086)
Subject: Lyr Add: SLAVERY TIME (Lightnin' Hopkins)
From: GUEST,Pierre-Alain Gendre

I've been trying to find the title, recording date and other relevant information on a song by Lightnin' Hopkins. Here are the lyrics as I have written them down to the best of my abilities. Any correction will be most welcome:

Sad when you're sick and home alone, won't nobody come around
Sad when you're sick and home alone, oh Lord, no one won't come round
Yeah, it look like everybody telling everybody else, "poor boy sinking down."

A thousand years my people was slaves; when I was born they teached me this way
One thousand years my people was slaves, when I was born they teached me this way
"Tip your hat to the peoples; be careful, son, about what you say."

Didn't make no difference if it was raining; do you know, man, you just had to go
Make no difference if it was raining; oh man, you just had to go
But I'm so glad, I'm so glad, I'm so glad, it ain't slavery time no more.

Grandma told Grandpa one morning, I'm tired of livin'; I'd just soon to die
Why do these people treat us this a-way? I just can't see the reason why
Grandpa told Grandma, don't worry, we'll be all right after while.

Grandpa told Grandma, "If you could go back, just twenty years ago,
If I only could go back, old lady, I'm talking about twenty years ago,
Yes, I would get my shotgun and I wouldn't be a slave no more."


18 Jun 08 - 02:45 PM (#2369110)
Subject: RE: Origins: title of a Lightnin' Hopkins song
From: Art Thieme

I don't know that one from Lightnin' but it is a fine song.


19 Jun 08 - 02:01 PM (#2370014)
Subject: RE: Origins: title of a Lightnin' Hopkins song
From: Goose Gander

I know I have this on a record somewhere, I'll try to find it.


19 Jun 08 - 07:23 PM (#2370297)
Subject: RE: Origins: title of a Lightnin' Hopkins song
From: Goose Gander

'Slavery' by Lightning Hopkins, from Texas Blues Man LP (Arhoolie F 1034).

"Recorded by Chris Strachwitz on portable equipment in Houston, Texas, on December 18, 1967."