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30 Mar 24 - 08:06 PM (#4200118) Subject: Lyr Req: Lyrics for Rex Griffin 'Ready to Reform' From: Irthlingz I'm getting most of it, but in the third verse there's a line ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae0bRnTVNPE I got in jail on Christmas day Too much gin and wine I think I'm 'bout ready to obey the laws If get free then I'll believe in Santa Claus I mean, I'm ready to reform. There's just one thing I'm thankful for I've got no bills to pay But the fleas and the cooties sure bite hard I done quit scratchin' cause I'm too darn tired I mean, I'm ready to reform. Man in his BVDs goin' down the street No hat on his head, no shoes on his foot You oughta seen them women ??? I thought I heard 'em say, "What kind of man is that?" I mean, I'm ready to reform. Some sellin' whiskey, some sellin' beer Some sellin' gin and wine Some sellin' peaches to support their man In fact some sellin' everything they can I mean, I'm ready to reform. When I get out of this calaboose Gonna lay off beer and wine I used to think water's made to wash your face But that's all I'll be drinkin' when I leave this place I mean, I'm ready to reform. |
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30 Mar 24 - 08:42 PM (#4200121) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics for Rex Griffin 'Ready to Reform' From: Irthlingz It seems this is a variant of "The Panic Is On" https://mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=4590 and the last part of that line would be "in their flats" - which I guess means "in their apartments"? And here's a version that has "curvin' in they flat" https://20thcenturyhistorysongbook.com/song-book/the-great-depression/the-great-economic-disaster/ Which is similar to what's in "I'm Ready to Reform". But what does "curving" mean here? |
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06 Apr 24 - 05:13 PM (#4200540) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics for Rex Griffin 'Ready to Reform' From: Joe Offer refresh |
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07 Apr 24 - 06:16 PM (#4200591) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics for Rex Griffin 'Ready to Reform' From: cnd Here's how I hear it: No hat on his head, no shoes on his feet You oughta seen them women curling in their flats My first thought was that flats could also be a type of shoe -- as opposed to high heels. A second guess is that they're curling with excitement/anticipation/laughter in their apartments (as you suggested) at the idea of a man walking in public in his underwear. But I don't like this line of thought because this is a western song, where most people wouldn't be thinking of apartment flats. However, the original was by Hezekiah Jenkins, an obscure singer who seems to have traveled predominantly around the south, southwest, and midwest, but did have a stint in NYC, especially around the time the song came out. He was best known as a minstrel performer (link). The third, most likely guess (in my opinion, at least) that I thought of is that it's describing women using curlers to get their hair to curl in an attempt to look nice, either an attempt to to woo the garbless man or look nice for their husbands who aren't yet home. |
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07 Apr 24 - 06:31 PM (#4200593) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics for Rex Griffin 'Ready to Reform' From: Joe Offer Thanks, CND. Anyone else have corrections to add? I'll keep this as a "lyrics request" thread for a while. Anyone who'd like to can post a complete transcription with all the suggested changes. If it's good, I'll rename this to an ADD thread. -Joe- |
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09 Apr 24 - 09:54 AM (#4200677) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lyrics for Rex Griffin 'Ready to Reform' From: cnd On another listen, I think he does say "curving" rather than curling. Not any closer to divining a definition, I'm afraid. |
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25 Jun 24 - 01:15 PM (#4204449) Subject: Lyr Add: I’M READY TO REFORM (Rex Griffin) From: Jim Dixon This is my transcription from the recording at the Internet Archive. Note this is a different recording from the one on YouTube which is referenced and transcribed above. Various discographies and articles list a 1944 recording; I assume that’s the one on YouTube. Also note: the 1936 recording consists of voice and acoustic guitar only; the 1944 recording has fiddle, electric guitar, steel guitar, accordion, and possibly an upright bass. The latter has a typical “western swing” bounce. I’M READY TO REFORM Words and music by Rex Griffin As recorded by Rex Griffin on March 2, 1936, released as Decca 5294 B. Got in jail on Christmas day; too much gin and wine. Lord, I think I’m ’bout ready to obey the laws. If get free, then I’ll believe in Santy Claus. I mean, I’m ready to reform. Yonder comes the jailer with a plate o’ beans. Sure do make me sick, Sleepin’ on a pillow that is hard as stone, Roaches ‘bove heaven, all the bedbugs gone. I mean, I’m ready to reform. [Yodel] Just one thing I’m thankful for: I’ve got no bills to pay. Lord, the fleas and the cooties sure bite hard. I done quit scratchin’ ’cause I’m too dern tired. [Pronounced “tard”] I mean, I’m ready to reform. When I get out of this calaboose, gonna lay off the gin and wine. I used to think water’s made to wash your face, But that’s all I’ll be drinkin’ when I leave this place. I mean, I’m ready to reform. Man in his BVDs goin’ down the street, no hat on his head, no shoes on his feet. You oughta seen the women servin’ in them flats. I thought I heard ’em say, "What kind o’ man is that?" I mean, I’m ready to reform. [Yodel] I asked the jailer man if he would let me go. This is what he said: “Three more months you have got to stay. Let me tell you, buddy, when you get away, You’ll be ready to reform.” [Yodel] |