Singer/guitarist Josh White was born in Greenville, South Carolina in 1908 and died in New York in 1969. From 1916 tot 1931 he was guide boy, and accompanist, to a number of blind singers - James 'Man' Arnold, Blind Columbus Williams, Blind Archie Jackson, Blind John Henry Walker, Blind Joe Taggart and even Blind Lemon Jefferson. He made his first recordings in April 1932 in New York. He used various pseudonyms: Tall Tom, Tippy Barton, Pinewood Tom, the Singing Christian.
He sang in a very special, "breaking" voice. His repertoire was very extensive; he sang the blues as well as religious songs and popular Black folk songs.
This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):
Joshua White recorded this in New York in 1933. It's on the CD "Preachin' The Gospel" in the Columbia Roots 'n' Blues series
JESUS GONNA MAKE UP MY DYING BED (W. R. Calaway) Now in the time of dying I don't want nobody to moan All I want my friends to do Come and fold my dying arms Whoa Whoa well so I can die easy Whoa Whoa well so I can die easy Whoa Whoa well so I can die easy Jesus gonna make up my dying bed Meet me Jesus, meet me Won't you meet me in the middle of the air And if these wings should fail me Lord Won't you meet me with another pair Whoa whoa well won't you meet me Jesus Whoa whoa well won't you meet me Jesus Whoa whoa well won't you meet me Jesus Jesus gonna make up my dying bed I'm goin' on down to the river Stick my sword up in the sand Gonna shout my trouble's over Lord I've done made it to the Promised Land Whoa whoa well I've done crossed over Whoa whoa well I've done crossed over Whoa whoa well I've done crossed over Jesus gonna make up my dying bed Ever since I been acquainted with Jesus We haven't been a minute apart He placed a receiver in my hands True religion in my heart Whoa whoa well I can ring up my Jesus Whoa whoa well I can ring up my Jesus Whoa whoa well I can ring up Jesus Jesus gonna make up my dying bed Goin' on down to the river Stick my sword up in the sand Gonna shout my trouble's over I've done made it to the Promised Land Whoa whoa well I've done crossed over Whoa whoa well I've done crossed over Whoa whoa Jesus gonna make up my dying bed
Joshua White, as "Pinewood Tom", recorded this warning of the dangers of talking while being drunk (with pianist Walter Roland) in New York City on 19 March 1935. It's included on the CD "Booze & the Blues" in the Columbia Roots 'n' Blues series.
I woke up this mornin', snake crawlin' in my hand I woke up this mornin', snake crawlin' in my hand He was crawlin' out that whiskey bottle, talkin' just like a natural man Ah whiskey oh whiskey, why do you treat me so? Ah whiskey oh whiskey, why do you treat me so? If I ever get sober one more time, ain't gonna get drunk no more I got drunk last night folks, talkin' all out my head Drunk last night, talkin' all out my head It wouldn't have been so bad, but my baby heard every word I said I was talkin' about that woman, live down across the street Talkin' about that woman, live down across the street I used to like her love, oh that hard pigmeat can't be beat I got drunk and give 'r all my money, pigmeat was better than all the gold Drunk and give her my money, pigmeat was just as good as gold I ain't gon' drink no more liquor, doggone my whiskey-drinkin' soul
Joshua White, as "Pinewood Tom", recorded this song on March 20, 1935 in New York City. It is taken from the CD "Great Blue Guitarists: String Dazzlers" (Columbia Roots 'n' Blues series)
PRODIGAL SON (Joshua White) I broke my mother's heart, Lord when I runned away I broke my mother's heart, Lord when I runned away She said he's a hard-headed child, I know you is gone astray My mother said son oh son, way you carryin' on is a low down dirty sin My mother said son, way you carryin' on is a low down sin You done run away and left me, but you comin' back home again Had to pawn my shoes and clothes, sleep out in the park every night Pawned my shoes and clothes, sleep in the park each and every night I done laid around and caught T.B., I'm drawed up just like a piece of trite I'm coming home mother, please don't cry when you see me I'm coming home mother, when you see me don't you cry I was a hard-headed boy, now your son's coming home to die Ooh mother, oh mother, remember I'm your son Cryin' mother, oh mother, remember that I'm your child Mama please forgive me, all the things that I have done
Blues Lyrics On Line by 
. Please
read the small print.