Origins: Milk Cow Blues

16 Jul 98 - 08:37 AM (#32662)
Subject: MILK COW BLUES
From: ZORRO

Does anyone know who wrote Milk Cow Blues. Last night a lady told me she thinks Hank Williams Sr. wrote it, but I don't think so? I realize the song is more country than folk, but I thought someone would know. ??? Thanks.

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16 Jul 98 - 08:47 AM (#32665)
Subject: RE: WHO WROTE:
From: Benjamin Bodhra/nai/

Well Robert Johnson did a variation of it with Milkcow's calf Blues and I think I have heard the Milkcow blues done also in that era. So HW snr could have written it, but it's more of a bluesy origin than straight country and to me seems that it was probably not him. And that early recording of Milkcow blues was by Kokomo Arnold sometime before 1937 (Just went and grabbed a book on RJ)

Hope that leads towards something

Benjamin

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16 Jul 98 - 09:51 AM (#32672)
Subject: RE: WHO WROTE:
From: Earl

Sleepy John Estes did a song called "Milk Cow Blues" which never mentions milk cows.

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16 Jul 98 - 11:48 AM (#32682)
Subject: RE: WHO WROTE:
From: Brian Hoskin

The earliest recorded version of the song that I know is by Freddie Spruell (25 June 1926). Sleepy John Estes recorded his version 13 May 1930, Big Bill recorded it 23 March 1934 and Kokomo Arnold 10 September 1934. Arnold must have liked the theme though, because he went on to record 'Milk Cow Blues No. 2' in Feb. 1935, 'Milk Cow Blues No. 3' and 'Milk Cow Blues No.4' in Sept. 1935 and did a test pressing (never released) of (you guessed it) 'Milk Cow Blues No.5' in Feb. 1936.

Brian

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16 Jul 98 - 06:29 PM (#32700)
Subject: RE: WHO WROTE:
From: Chet W.

I heard an old 78 of Milk Cow Blues by Barbecue Bob.

Chet W.

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16 Jul 98 - 07:18 PM (#32717)
Subject: RE: WHO WROTE:
From: Gene

BMI lists the following for Milk Cow Blues::

* BMI *

ASCAP lists the following for Milk Cow Blues:

* ASCAP *

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16 Jul 98 - 07:23 PM (#32718)
Subject: RE: WHO WROTE:
From: Gene

OOOOPS! Found out you can't LINK like that from either Bmi or Ascap!!!

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17 Jul 98 - 05:15 PM (#32787)
Subject: RE: WHO WROTE:
From: Earl

If it's BMI or ASCAP you probably have to pay to link.

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18 Jul 98 - 04:48 PM (#32849)
Subject: RE: WHO WROTE:
From: Mr. Bill

Robert Johnson

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19 Jul 98 - 10:19 AM (#32876)
Subject: RE: WHO WROTE:
From: Brian Hoskin

Just to clear one point up, Robert Johnson's 'Milkcow's Calf Blues' is a combination of Kokomo Arnold's version of 'Milk Cow Blues' (which was released on the B-side of 'Old Original Kokomo Blues' - a song which, incidentally, influenced Johnson's 'Sweet Home Chicago') and some lyrics from Son House's 'My Black Mama'.

Brian.

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18 Oct 98 - 07:33 AM (#42188)
Subject: Lyrics to Milk Cow Blues
From: [e-mail]

Does anyone have the lyrics to the milk cow blues? I seem to remember Merle Haggard on an old tribute to Bob Wills album doing it. I sure would appreciate any help.

Thank you in advance,

Ron Parker

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18 Oct 98 - 08:51 AM (#42191)
Subject: Lyr Add: MILKCOW BLUES BOOGIE (Kokomo Arnold)
From: Ralph Butts

From the Elvis Presley Database at:

http://members.aol.com/petedixon/elvis/index.html

MILKCOW BLUES BOOGIE
Kokomo Arnold

Oh well, I woke up this morning,
And I looked out the door,
I can tell that old milk cow
By the way she lowed.

Hold it fellows, that don't move me.
Let's get real, real gone for a change.

Well, I woke up this morning,
And I looked out the door,
I can tell that that old milk cow
I can tell the way she lowed.

Now, if you've seen my milk cow,
Please drive her on home.
I ain't had no milk or butter
Since that cow's been gone.

Well, I tried to treat you right, day by day.
Get out your little prayer book
Get down on your knees and pray.
For you're gonna need,
You're gonna need your loving daddy's help someday.
Well, then you're gonna be sorry
For treating me this way.

Oh let's milk it, Yeah!

Well, believe me, don't that sun look good going down?
Well, believe me, don't that sun look good going down?
Well, don't that old moon look lonesome
When your baby's not around?

Well, I tried everything to get along with you.
I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do.
I'm gonna quit my crying,
I'm gonna leave you alone.
If you don't believe I'm leaving,
You can count the days I'm gone.

I'm gonna leave.
You're gonna need your loving daddy's help someday.
Well then, you're gonna be sorry you treated me this way.

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23 Feb 01 - 11:50 AM (#404561)
Subject: need lyrics to Milk Cow Blues (trad.)
From: GUEST,bessie [e-mail]

I am trying to find the lyrics for the traditional "Milk Cow Blues" for a guy who plays acoustic bass with a group. He can get started on the song but he has to adlib. Some of the phrases I remember are: "If you see my cow ascomin', comin' round the bend" and "I haven't had no milk and butter since she's been gone." I don't even know if those were adlibs or not. Everytime they perform, someone requests the song. It would help if they guy could learn the lyrics. Thank you so much for the lyrics!

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23 Feb 01 - 12:06 PM (#404573)
Subject: RE: need lyrics to Milk Cow Blues (trad.)
From: GUEST,Gene

For Elvis Presley version -
* CLICK TO: Previous MUDCAT FORUM Post *

For George Strait Version -
* CLICK TO: Cowpie Lyrics Site *

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06 Dec 15 - 12:47 AM (#3756040)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Milk Cow Blues / Milk Cow Blues Boogie
From: GUEST,Gerry

Tom Rush recorded (a version of) Milk Cow Blues on the first album he did for Elektra. Dylan used bits and pieces of Milk Cow Blues in his song, Quit Your Lowdown Ways, see http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~skulick/edlis/quit-your-lowdown.html

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