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13 Nov 09 - 04:19 AM (#2765268) Subject: Lyr Req: Backwater Blues by Huddie Lead belly From: declercq Hello I'am looking for the words to a song by Leadbelly called "BACKWATER BLUES" from his live album UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 1949 (spoken and sung part) As always, I know that this will take literally seconds to unearth it from your attics. I thank you one and all. Have a nice day too. Monique |
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13 Nov 09 - 06:19 AM (#2765321) Subject: Lyr Add: BACK WATER BLUES (Bessie Smith) From: Roger the Skiffler Also recorded by Bessie Smith, this is her version from my files, haven't transcribed the Leadbelly version separately.
When the Louisiana levees broke in the ?1930s and the poor camped on the levees, armed sheriff's deputies stopped them leaving to seek work further North so they'd be forced to continue to work for the cotton owners when the floods receded. Of course, the Bush govt. response to the recent N.Orleans flooding was much more sympathetic (?) |
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13 Nov 09 - 02:28 PM (#2765453) Subject: Lyr Add: BACK WATER BLUES (Bessie Smith) From: 12003biloute Here is the one recorded in New York City November 5, 1948 BACK WATER BLUES recorded New York City November 5, 1948 Bessie SMITH Guitar intro When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night And the trouble's takin' place in the lowlands at night I woke up this mornin', couldn't even get out of my door I woke up this mornin', couldn't even get out of my door Enough trouble to make a poor girl I wonder where she wants to go They rowed a little boat about five miles 'cross the pond They rowed a little boat about five miles 'cross the pond I packed all my clothes, throwed them in and they rowed me along It thundered and lighted and the wind begins to blow It thundered and lighted and the wind begins to blow There's thousands of women ain't got no place to go I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill I looked down on the old house were I used to live Backwater1 blues has caused me to pack my things and go Backwater blues has caused me to pack my things and go 'Cause my house fell down and I can't live there no more Mmm, I can't move no more Mmm, I can't move no more And there ain't a place for a poor old girl to go Yeah! Guitar beak to end And now the other recorded live at the UNIVERSITY of TEXAS June 1949 But the spoken part is missing Hope it helps BACK WATER BLUES (Recorded live University of Texas Austin June, 15, 1949) (Bessie SMITH) Spoken: ???? Guitar intro It rains five days and the skies turn dark as night When it rains five days and the skies turn dark as night And the trouble's takin' place in the lowlands at night I woke up this mornin', couldn't even get out of my do' I woke up this mornin', couldn't even get out of my do' Enough trouble to make a poor girl I wonder where she wants to go Yeah! Guitar break I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill I went and stood upon some high old lonesome hill I looked down on the old house were I used to live Backwater blues done call me to pack my things and go Backwater blues done call me to pack my things and go Then my house went down and I can't live there no mo' |
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13 Nov 09 - 02:56 PM (#2765473) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Backwater Blues by Huddie Lead belly From: Fred McCormick I feel honour obliged though to point out that it was written by Bessie Smith, not by Leadbelly. I once got into a long tizwaz with a trombonist who announced to an audience that Leadbelly wrote it and made the original recording, and that it was subsequently covered by Bessie. When I pointed out that Leadbelly didn't record his version until some seven years after Bessie died, he said "Oh I just make them up as I go along". He then added that I was the first person who'd ever taken him to task over anything he ever told an audience. Oh well. |