Lyr Req: Black Dog Rag / Black Dog Blues

23 Sep 98 - 09:27 PM (#39161)
Subject: LYR REQ: Black Dog Rag
From: Roger in Baltimore

Looking for a song, a country blues rag-time type tune. I have hear Roy Book Binder play it. Need the lyrics.

A piece I remember:

Well, you call me dog when I'm gone, Call me black dog when I'm gone. But when I return with a hundred dollar bill, It's "Daddy, where you been so long?"

I checked the DT under [black dog] and [where you been] to no avail.

Roger in Baltimore

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24 Sep 98 - 03:53 AM (#39195)
Subject: Lyr Add: BLACK DOG BLUES (from Dick Justice)
From: Brian Hoskin

Roger, I've got two versions of the lyrics I could post. Those below are the earliest version I can find, recorded by Dick Justice, in 1929, under the title 'BLACK DOG BLUES'. If they're not the ones you want I'll post a different version by Bayless Rose.

Brian

Old black dog when I'm gone, lord, lord.
Old black dog when I'm gone.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
And it's, "Honey, where you been so long?"

My daddy, he's a gambler,
He taught me how to play.
Told me to bet my money,
On Ace, Deuce, Jack and Tray.

Old black dog when I'm gone, lord, lord.
Old black dog when I'm gone.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
And it's, "Honey, where you been so long?"

Been all around Kentucky,
The state of old Tennessee.
Anywhere I hang my hat,
It'll be home sweet home to me.

Old black dog when I'm gone, lord, lord.
Old black dog when I'm gone.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
And it's, "Honey, where you been so long?"

See the train a-coming,
She is packing my casket, lord
Going to the graveyard,
Where the grave will be my home.

Old black dog when I'm gone, lord, lord
Old black dog when I'm gone.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
And it's "Honey, where you been so long?"

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24 Sep 98 - 06:14 AM (#39201)
Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Black Dog Rag
From: Roger Himler

Brian,

Thanks, those are the ones. We tend to be a curious group around here, so why not post the other lyrics as well? Much obliged.

Roger in Baltimore

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07 Oct 98 - 10:56 AM (#40701)
Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Black Dog Rag
From: Jon W.

Bayless Rose adds at least one more verse:

Shot my dice in Cuba, played my cards in Spain
When I get ready to leave this town
I'm gonna catch that fast mail train.

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04 Jan 12 - 08:37 PM (#3285022)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Black Dog Rag / Black Dog Blues
From: GUEST,LD

Check out Ray Wylie Hubbard;s version

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