He was born in 1895 in Jackson, Mississippi and died in 1943 in Chicago. He played in Atlanta with his brother Charlie and Bo Carter; in 1929 he married Memphis Minnie, and made many fine recordings with her. He also recorded under other names such as Kansas Joe, Georgia Pine Boy, Hallelujah Joe, Big Joe and the Mississippi Mudder.
This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):
Recorded in 1929, with Memphis Minnie on second guitar. The threat from flooding was very real for the mainly black field hands who lived on the low ground in sight of the river - the plantation owners' homes were safe on higher ground.
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break (2x) And the water gonna come in, have no place to stay Well all last night I sat on the levee and moan (2x) Thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break (2x) And all these people have no place to stay Now look here mama what am I to do (2x) I ain't got nobody to tell my troubles to I works on the levee mama both night and day (2x) I ain't got nobody, keep the water away Oh cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do no good (2x) When the levee breaks, mama, you got to lose I works on the levee, mama both night and day (2x) I works so hard, to keep the water away I had a woman, she wouldn't do for me (2x) I'm goin' back to my used to be I's a mean old levee, cause me to weep and moan (2x) Gonna leave my baby, and my happy home
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