Lyr Add: Raise a Ruckus (from Uncle Earl)

23 Jul 05 - 04:54 AM (#1526059)
Subject: Lyr Add: RAISE A RUCKUS (from Uncle Earl)
From: chico

      D                        7                  A7
  Well, my old missus said to me, raise a rucKus to-night
   Bm                  G       7     D      A7       D
  When she die, gonna set me free, raise a rucKus to-night
  
  Well there ain't no use to work so hard
  When I got a woman ???????
  
  Well every evening 'bout half-past-eight
  I hang my bucket on the rich folk's gate
  
  She bring some pumpkins, she bring some pie
  Bring some of everything the rich folks buy
  
      D                       
  Oh come on children come along
             7                A7
  While the moon is shining bright
        D        7          G             7
  Let's git on board, an' down de river float 
       D       A7        D
  And raise a ruckus to-night.

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24 Jul 05 - 08:08 AM (#1526909)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise a Ruckus (Uncle Earl Edition)
From: Azizi

Les B,

I believe the words may have originally been
"I got a gal in the White folks yard"

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24 Jul 05 - 10:26 AM (#1526986)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise a Ruckus (Uncle Earl Edition)
From: Les B

Azizi - yes, I've heard those too - but given the third verse above, it seemed a better match.

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24 Jul 05 - 11:26 AM (#1527020)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise a Ruckus (Uncle Earl Edition)
From: Azizi

Les, maybe the White folks were rich- LOL!

At least they probably would have seemed to be wealthy compared to the financial resources the person composing or singing this song.

Positive vibrations,

Azizi

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24 Jul 05 - 01:47 PM (#1527111)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise a Ruckus (Uncle Earl Edition)
From: katlaughing

As noted in this earlier thread Bette Davis sang this in "Jezebel." I happened to catch that part of it, again, last night, and found it interesting that she and the "slave" singers pronounced it "rue cuss." Is that a Lousianna thing or just Hollywood?

Thanks,

kat

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31 Jul 05 - 01:14 PM (#1532121)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise a Ruckus (from Uncle Earl)
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman

Yes.   "ruckus" -- Webster says it's probably a blend of ruction and rumpus and dates it to 1890 (but it has a good chance of being older).

What we pronounce ruck-us is often pronounced in Tennessee and southward as ROOKUS. Don't know if that's the original pronunciation and I judge Webster doesn't either.

It gave rise to a term for prohibition liquor. Have a listen to one of the great hot rag jazz numbers, The Memphis Jug Band's "Ruckus Juice and Chitlins." It'll spin your head.

Bob

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31 Jul 05 - 01:54 PM (#1532141)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise a Ruckus (from Uncle Earl)
From: katlaughing

Thanks, Bob. I'd never heard it that way until the movie. I'll see about listening "ruckus juice and chitlins."

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01 Aug 05 - 11:56 AM (#1532684)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Raise a Ruckus (from Uncle Earl)
From: GUEST,Mrr

In the Raise A Ruckus Tonight song I have by Jean Ritchie it's pronounced rookus.

All them taters in the oven ummm ummm ummm
How I wish I had more of'm umm ummm ummm
Get on board, little children get on board
While the moon is shining bright
Get along little children get along
We're gonna raise a ruckus tonight

All them sweet potaters cookin umm umm ummm
I never seen'm so good lookin umm ummm ummm
Get on board...

and so on. Sounds a lot like the same song.

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