I must admit that I have a soft spot for Sam "Lightnin'"Hopkins. A spot about as big as the State of Texas actually. That's why you'll find so many of his songs here. And I want to add some more when I can. Lightnin' Hopkins was born in Centerville, Texas in 1912 and died in 1982. He acquired his nickname playing as a duo with pianist "Thunder" Smith early in his career.
Read here the All-Music Guide's page on Lightnin' Hopkins.
This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):
Lightnin's take on the "It's Mighty Crazy"-theme, recorded ca. 1967 for Arhoolie (it's on the CD "Lightnin!", Arhoolie CD 390). A somewhat different version by that other Lightnin' (Slim) is also here for comparison.
In this song Lightnin' Hopkins used his familiar technique of letting his guitar finish his lines for him.
See also:
Suzy got a rubboard, mama got a tub They goin' around doin' the rub-de-dub Ain't it crazy Ain't it crazy You know it's crazy To keep on rubbin' at that --- Was down and out with my head in my hand Looked for a woman didn't have no man Wasn't it crazy Wasn't it crazy You know it's crazy --- (Yeah... oh yeah...) Was down in town with my head in my hand Looked for a woman didn't have no man Wasn't I crazy Wasn't I crazy You know it's crazy To keep on rubbin' at that - same old thing (play it one time) (now here's what cooked the goose) Two old maids lyin' in the bed One turned over this is what she said Ain't we crazy Ain't we crazy You know it's crazy To keep on rubbin' at that --- Have mercy!
Lightnin' recorded this song in 1953 when it was released on the RPM label. It's also on the Ace CD "Jake Head Boogie" (1999). The first verse, the CD notes tell us, is taken from the 1939 recording by Roosevelt Sykes, "Unlucky 13 Blues".
A later version by Lightnin' of this theme is "No Education".
See also:
I ain't got no education, I'm just another fool in town I ain't got no education, I'm just another fool in town You know the first day I went to school man, the big schoolhouse burnt down Can't write my name, can't even say my ABC's Can't write my name, I can't even say my ABC's Wonder can I get nobody educated, come try to teach po' me? School in the mornin', tomorrow is schoolday School in the mornin', tomorrow is schoolday Yes I just want to get somebody to teach me and help me on my way
Recorded for the "Sittin' In" label of Bob Shad, at the start of the 1950s. It can be found on the CD "Sittin' In With" (Sony Legacy / Mainstream). All songs on that CD are credited to "R. Ellen"
BALD HEADED WOMAN Give me - I'm gonna take it - back that wig I bought you woman, oh Lord let your doggone head go bald Give me back that wig I bought you woman - I'm mad at you as I can be - let your doggone head go bald You know the special del'vry brought me a letter this mornin', cryin', woman you don't need no hair at all Special delivery man said he seed you on the corner last night - You was talking with another man - He said you was tagging all around with a - Whiskey bottle in your hand - I say give me back that wig I bought you, oh Lord let your doggone head go bald Yes you know the news I got from downtown, woman you don't need no hair at all (what you want with a woman who ain't got no hair? What's the matter with you girl?) I'm just gonna tell you - Po' Lightnin' is fair - I'm just gonna cut out one of these - Little locks of my hair Cause don't be bothered with you no more Yes I want you to have pretty hair here, hair every place we go.
Recorded in 1964.
Black Ghost Blues (Hopkins) Black ghost, black ghost, please stay away from my door Black ghost, black ghost, will you please stay away from my door Yeah you know you worry po' Lightnin' so now, I just can't sleep no more Yeah you know I go to dreaming first night, black ghost is all po' Lightnin' can see I go to dreaming first night, black ghost is all po' Lightnin' can see You know that's why I begin to wonder why you keeps on worryin' me Black ghost is a picture, and the black ghost is a shadow too Whoa black ghost is a picture, and the black ghost is a shadow too You just can see him, but you can't hear him talkin' Ain't nothin' else that a black ghost can do Black Ghost Blues!
No doubt inspired by recent events, Lightnin' recorded this song in November 1961 in Berkeley, California for Arhoolie. It's on the Arhoolie LP F1011 "Lightnin' Sam Hopkins".
Just look at the people Whoa just look at the peoples I got over here I said just look at the people Just look at the peoples I got over here You know a little sixteen-year-old girl come to me talked and said Lightnin', Would you take me for your souvenir? You know they had a big fire down in L.A. All them buildings is burnin' down Oh they had a big fire down in L.A. (well in Beverly Hills or somewhere a little close) All them buildings is burnin' down You know they was lookin' for the fire trucks And in time none of 'em would come around (Po' children were runnin' and cryin'... They couldn't help themselves, they was talkin' too...) You gotta get this lesson, children You gotta get it from the book Talkin' about the things you buy raw Them is things you gotta cook Mama say she was hungry Round about ten o'clock That was the time the world Was beginnin' to get on a rock That was the burnin' down in L.A. All them buildings was burnin' down Well you know they didn't have enough water to put out the fire 250-some home they got burnin' down
From the Rhino CD "Los Angeles Blues", a reissue of a Vault LP recorded in LA in 1969.
California Mudslide (Lightnin' Hopkins)
Take me out this bottom, take me out this bottom baby,
Little girl 'fore this water rise
Take me out this bottom, take me out this bottom,
Little girl 'fore this water rise
Why you know I must be born by the devil
Po' Lightnin' don't wanna be baptised
(You see it's raining in all California when I said -
The hide is sliding down off the hills -
Many, many, many friends have lost their home -
Just because the water was falling so hard
and the mudslide had taken their home -
And I said -)
[guitar chorus, over which:]
Then you know how it's happening now
Take me out this bottom, take me out this bottom baby
Po' Lightnin' can't feel satisfied
Take me out this bottom, take me out this bottom
Po' Lightnin' just can't feel satisfied
Did you know how many friends of mine lost their home
By that old mudslide?
Don't take me to be wrong people,
Forgive me for my mistakes
You know, please, please, please,
Forgive me for my mistake
But after all that flood come in California, do you know
The good Lord's ground begin to shake
(They said an earthquake it was comin')
[guitar chorus, over which:]
Have mercy
Lightnin' recorded this song on December 2, 1961 in Berkeley, Ca. on a rainy day - it had been raining for weeks, and that clearly got him down. It must have felt like England :)
From the LP "Lightnin' Sam Hopkins" (Arhoolie F1011).
Just take a look at the weather It keep rainin' all the time Just take a look at the weather It keep rainin' all the time You know it be rainin' this minute and the next minute You look up and you'll see sunshine Tell me why there's rain Why it storm in California all the time Tell me why do it rain Why it storm in California all the time I don't want the rain But you still have plenty sunshine You know it keeps on rainin' You know this poor man can't make no time You know if it keeps on rainin' You know this poor man can't make no time You know if I can't go to my job How I'm gonna feed this family of mine? You know the poor children are runnin' "I'm hungry" When I don't have a lousy dime Poor children runnin', cryin' "Daddy I'm hungry" And I don't have a lousy dime That's the reason I was singin' when it started rainin' in California Why do it keep rainin' all the time? You know it was dark and cloudy Raindrops settled on my window pane You know it was dark it was cloudy The raindrops settled on my window pane You know my children didn't have nothin' to eat Now peoples ain't that a cryin' shame My poor wife walkin' Tellin' the children this is a cryin' shame My poor wife walkin' Tellin' the children this is a cryin' shame Yeah we all goin' down starvation I do believe But your daddy ain't to blame That's all right, that's all right You don't have to worry no more That's all right, that's all right Children you don't have to worry no more You know the sun is shinin' now Cool breeze from the sweet wind how it blow
Recorded in 1961.
Catfish Blues (Trad.) You know I wished I was a catfish Swimming in that deep blue sea I'd have all the good looking women there boy Fishing after me Fishing after me Ooh ooh... I went down to my baby's house She said, Lightnin', come on in Ain't nobody here with me good Lord You know I'm your friend You know I went down to my baby's house Lord I sat down on them steps She said, Come on in this house Lightnin', Husband just now left My husband just now left Sho nuff I'm by myself He just now left You know I went down to the river Started jump overboard and drown I thought about that little mama, turned around I went walking back to town Back to town Back to town Sho nuff, back to town You know I wish I was a catfish Swimming, Lord in that deep blue sea I'd have all the good looking womens Fishing after me Fishing after me Sho nuff Ain't lying Mmm mmmm
Like Bald Headed Woman, this song is also taken from the CD "Sittin' In With"
CEMETERY BLUES Poor grandpa, he died but that's the debt we all got to pay Yeah, we livin' now but every livin' people done, whoa Lord, he gotta died one day Lord I followed the hearse down to the burial ground, see four men when they let poor grandpa down Yes I followed the hearse down to the burial ground, see four men when they let poor grandpa down - couldn't stand it, mercy, Lord - Yes you know it hurtin' me so bad, till I almost had a nervous breakdown Yes she know it was sad when we got back home, po' Grandma That's who I felt sorry for, and myself too in a way When we got back home, this is what Grandma say She: "Son, where's my bonnet" and she had it on her head You know it was sad time, sad time when grandpa died Whoa, we didn't have no place to go Grandma said "your good times is over, Grandpa is gone You'll never have no good times no more."
This song also comes from the CD "Sittin' In With"
CONTRARY MARY Contrary, she contrary, she won't do nothing she say She contrary, she contrary, she won't do nothing in the world she say She done been married twice and her first husband, man he just let her have her way But you know I won't do that! You better change your way woman, little girl, Johnny tells you again - good advice! - You better change your way, little girl, Johnny tells you again Then you'll have better times, little girl and you'll have much o'friend One more, one more time'll do One more, one more time'll do Yes I'm gonna get me somebody else darling, then I'll be through with you
Recorded in 1964.
Darling, Do You Remember Me? (Hopkins) Just to say hello, my little darling Do you remember me? Now it's been a great long time, I just wanna let you see. Hello, speak to me I been wondering, where can my little darling be? But it's been such a great long time, Darling do you remember me? I've been places, way over sea That's why I know you done forgotten all about poor me But just to say hello, Darling do you remember me? Your face, somethin' I wanna see Just to know darling, you used to enjoy with me But hello, hello darling, baby, do you remember me?
Recorded in 1961.
Death Bells (Hopkins) Sound like I'm hearing moaning, death bell ringing all in my head Sound like I can hear moaning, death bell ringing all in my head Yeah I know that I was gonna leave on a chariot but I didn't know What kind of chariot gonna take me away from here I want you to remember every living people, every living people bound to die I want you to remember every living people, every living people bound to die Yeah you know when that chariot come at you, they'll break running, try to hide You all know my mama told me, you know my papa told me too You know my mama told me, oh papa told me too He said you know one day son, that chariot, oh Lord, coming after you Yeah you know the life I'm living, I've been living it for a many year You know the life I'm living, I've been living it for a many year I know the chariot was coming for me but I didn't know What kind of chariot gonna take me away from here
Recorded in 1961.
Goin' To Dallas To See My Pony Run (Trad.) I'm goin' to Dallas, see my pony run Goin' to Dallas, just to see my pony run I'm goin' to Dallas, just to see my pony run If I win any money, gonna bring my baby some She's a cold black mare, put on a racetrack anywhere She's a cold black mare, put on a racetrack anywhere If I get to the place and it's crowded, I'll say have you got any room to spare? I'm going to Dallas, see my pony run Going to Dallas, see my pony run I'm going to Dallas, just to see my pony run She wins every race and I can't see how it's done She got a long life to live, cold black way remains Long life to live, cold black way remains When that horse wins that race she don't look like she's ashamed I'm going to Dallas, see her run one more time Going to Dallas, see her run one more time If she wins this race for Lightnin', I'm gonna tell her she can retire
This song was recorded in 1963, right after John Glenn made his three orbits in space, the first American to do so.
This transcription is rather tentative, mainly because Lightnin' frequently had to hurry to fit his lines to the meter!
People I was sittin' this mornin' with this on my mind
Said there ain't no livin' man who gone around the world three time
But John Glenn did
Yes he did
He did it, I'm talkin' about him
Only did it for fun
Half a million dollars made him feel so well
He got to eatin' his lunch and couldn't hardly tell
He said I feel all right
John Glenn said it
Everybody was laughin'
And dipped in the gritty
It was a million prayer went up
Prayin' that he would land
I looked at a schoolhouse full of men and they didn't know what to say
But they said "Let him come back, God
Please let him land
You know that's the onliest man ever did it
And you're the helpin' hand"
I see'd him when he left but I didn't see him when he land
But I knowed he was doin' all right when they said it is OK to give him a great big hand
He'll be in on the ship
They say he's on deck
His mother say I know my son gonna make it, it ain't never been no mistake
You know I wanna tell you somethin', this ain't lyin'
You know that man must had on his mind flyin'
It ain't nobody will take that for his tryin',
unless they gonna build him his own self airplane and they gonna go flyin'
They told him "Don't worry, this is true
You may miss me for a few minutes but I'll be back to see about you" - He did!
Yes he did
Yes when he done it, didn't know what had happened the helicopter say -
You know they tested that boy's body, even test his heart
They knowed he was all right when he was gettin' to start
I mean he's made it!
He went around the world three times
You know he went and got him an airplane,
and he made up and had it on his mind
That's what he had on his mind
He didn't have no kid and he didn't have no digs [?]
He just had it in his mind flyin'
Another song from the CD "Sittin' In With"
HOME IN THE WOODS I'm gonna find me another home, I'm gonna find it way out in the woods I'm gonna find me another home, find it way out in the woods So I can let all them no good women know, whoa, I don't mean them no good Yes everybody tells me- in my neighborhood- You mess with a woman she don't mean you no good- I'm gonna find me a home, way out in the woods So I can let all these old no-good women know, I don't mean them no good She used to be a good woman but she didn't do what she should And that's the reason I'm gonna find me a home out in the woods I don't mean them no good Still I want you to know I did the best I could.
A semi-autobiographical blues (Lightnin' did indeed work on the chain gang); from a live recording in the "Second Fret" in Philadelphia, ca. 1963, that was released on the LP "Hootin' the Blues" (Prestige/Folklore 14021).
Yeah you know I worked on the railroad I even worked down on that chain gang Yeah you know I worked on the railroad Oh boy and I worked down on the chain gang Yeah they put me in jail when it was raining Honey that was the best for me Throwed me in the jail when it was raining Honey and that is the best for me You know the jail kept me in [from] the wet I didn't have no place to stay, don't you know When I workin' on the chain gang, ball and chain all around my leg I was workin' on the chain gang, ball and chain all around my leg I said Please don't drive me too hard, I'm an old man They say We don't pay no attention to the age He said Who sent you down here, boy What did you break in this jail for? Who sent you down here, boy What did you break in this jail for? He say You look like a man would kill your mother (And I believe he did) Oh boy what did you kill that old woman for? (A sad time, and I had to cry...) I said mmmmmmm mister jailer, will you please sir bring me the key I said mmmmmmm mister jailer, will you please sir bring me the key I says I just want you to open the door Cause this ain't no place for me
The title song from the Gitanes CD "It's A Sin To Be Rich", with "never-before-released recordings" from May 1972. On a number of these recordings, including this song, Lightnin' was joined by John Lee Hooker.
You know that it's a sin to be rich But it's a low down shame to be poor It is a sin to be rich You know that it's a low down shame to be poor You know a rich man ain't got a chance to go to heaven And a poor man got a hard way to go You know I don't wanna be rich I just wanna stay between rich and poor No I don't wanna be rich I just wanna live between rich and poor Yes when I die you know I wanna go to heaven That's when Po' Lightnin' will have a chance to go Gabriel gonna be the next man to blow that trumpet I wants to be there when he blow (blow, Gabriel) Whoa he gonna be the next man blow that trumpet I wants to be there when po' Gabriel blow Whoa that's when the world be off(?) with the people And I can leay there and rest for sure Everybody!
Lightnin' Hopkins did serve some time on the chain gang; he carried the scars on his leg the rest of his life. This recording is from 1946. He later recorded other blues on this theme, such as Penitentiary Blues in 1959, with more personal lyrics than here.
Well I wouldn't mind staying in jail, but I've gotta stay there so long Well I wouldn't mind staying in jail, but I've gotta stay there so long You know it seem like all my friends, you know they done shook hands and gone Thirty days in jail, with my back turned to the wall Thirty days in jail, with my back turned to the wall Yes you know some other skinner (?) must be kickin' in my stall Hey mister jailer please, will you please bring me the key Hey mister jailer, will you please sir bring me the key I just want you to open the door, cause this ain't no place for me
Recorded in 1964.
Lonesome Graveyard (Hopkins) Sleep on, sleep on, sleep on Little girl, sleep on, just sleep on Sleep on, sleep on, Little girl, just sleep on, sleep on Well I know you're dead and resting darling, but one day I know the graveyard's gonna be my home (every living people got to die, human beings) Mama was rocking by the window, Howling: my poor child is dead, yes she's dead Yeah you know my poor child is dead and gone (What made me feel so good, she said this:) Sleep on, sleep on son, Do you know your mother is coming on? Whoa the graveyard ain't too beautiful, But it will give you a home so long. I wouldn't mind dying, Po' Lightnin' would just have to lay dead so long Wouldn't mind dying, but I'd have to lay dead so long That I wouldn't have a chance to come back here and tell my friends, No nobody, what is going on. Told my baby, don't worry if I die, darling, I know I'm gonna leave your little bed warm Don't worry if po' Lightnin' lay down and die, 'Cause I'm gonna leave your little bed very warm Whoa you know, I can't worry when I'm dead and gone, but one thing, Little girl, I know you is coming home.
Lightnin' Hopkins recorded this story about Mister Charlie and the stuttering boy, several times; this transcription - not guaranteed to be 100% correct - comes from the LP "Free Form Patterns", recorded in 1968 in Houston, Texas. (on the back of the record Hopkins' nickname is consistently spelled "Lightin").
The record was re-issued in 1988 by Charly Records (not that same Charly, no doubt :)
Click here to hear the whole 7 minutes of Mr. Charlie's story!
(spoken, without accompaniment:) Once in the country there was a little boy; every morning that he would go to the table with his little two sisters and brothers, you know, he would go there, he couldn't talk but his mother didn't know what was wrong with him so... she would go to the table in the morning, she would fix for breakfast, she'd fix toast and coffee, enough, coffee for the tin, toast for the eggs for the church, then she would ask and say, "what you want this morning?" Oh mama, toast and milk, you know things like that you know. But the little old boy he couldn't talk good, so she asked him say "what you want son"? Said "sa-sa-a I want-t t-t-t-" She said "Hush". Say "I tell you what to do. You just hush, I just go bring you what I bring the rest of 'em, cause one of these days I'm gonna learn you how to talk." She goin' back and she fixes, the next morning same thing. "So what would you children want this morning?" "Butter 'n toast mama." Get around to the little old boy, say "What you want"? He say, "bu-bu-bu- bu-bu-bu..." she say "Lord, have mercy," that's what mama said and she walked away, say "wonder what's wrong with my child?" He heard her. But you know the little boy couldn't do no better. So after he'd find out that mama couldn't understand him, and he couldn't understand the way his mama was doin' him, he packed up his little flower sack, and he decide that he would leave. So when he left, on his way, he run up on a old rollin' mill, what they call Mister Charlie's. So he walked up to mister Charlie, mister Charlie was workin' round in his rose bushes 'n things... so he taps him: "mi-mi-mi..." say "Mister!" But he didn't know his name that time. The man straightened up and said "my name is mister Charlie". He say "mi-mi-ch-ch-ch-ch-" He said "but boy I ain't got to fool with you, you can't work." He said, "me-me can work!" So the man went on workin' and he'd tap him again. He said "me-me-me wanna home". He said "look, boy, I've got a old bunk house out in the back," said "and if you promise me that you will stay in this bunk house, and watch my mill, and keep the fire from burning my mill down," say "I live two blocks up the road," say "and if you see the mill's on fire, say you run up and tell me the mill's on fire, you got a home and meal as long as I've got it." "Ta-ta-ta-ta-thank you mister Charlie." So the little old boy went to bunkin' that night. Sho' enough, late one Sunday morning, mister Charlie's mill caught on fire. Which he'd forgot about what he had told the little boy. The little boy run up to him, he was cleaning out his front yard, makin' it beautiful with them rose bushes, you know with them red rose bushes you know how to keep 'em red those rose bushes, and the little boy run up there, tapped him on his back, and he raised up and said "Hey son, why here's you again." "Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye" and he was pointing back toward the mill, tryin' to tell him his rollin' mill was on fire. So mister Charlie said, "I ain't got time to fool with you." So the little boy stuttered too bad for him to understand. So mister Charlie stooped over him again, he pat him on the back, said "ye-ye-ye-ye-your ro-ro-" he said "Wait a minute." He said, "if you can't talk you must sing", and he hollered: (sings) Whooooooooa mister Charlie Do you know your rolling mill is burnin' down? Mister Charlie Do you know your rolling mill is burnin' down? Mister Charlie said if you ain't got no water boy Just let that old mill burn on down Little boy was lonesome, he walked off and cried, he said-- (guitar solo) He walked back and he said it one more time Whooooooooa mister Charlie I won't have no place to stay Mister Charlie I won't have no place to stay Mister Charlie said Boy, you'll have a home with me Just as long as there is a day Little boy sighed and he tell it one more time He hollered at him: Whooooooooa mister Charlie Do you know your rolling mill is burnin' down? Mister Charlie Do you know your rolling mill is burnin' down? Mister Charlie said if you ain't got no water boy Just let that old mill burn on down
Recorded in 1962.
My Black Name (Hopkins)
I can hear my black name ringing, oh hurryin' down the line
I can hear my black name ringing, oh hurryin' down the line
Whoa she got another man now, little girl won't pay me no mind
You know that woman said that she loved me, but now I believe she was lyin'
Yes she said that she loved me, but now I believe she was lyin'
Whoa, I don't believe she love me no more Spider*,
I believe I'm driving away my turn
Whoa, that woman done quit me, and I'm just about to lose my mind
That black woman done quit me, and I'm just about to lose my mind
Whoa yeah, my black name was ringing, oh hurrying down the line
* (Spider Kilpatrick, the drummer)
Recorded in 1961.
My Grandpa Is Old Too (Hopkins) I want all you young people to know what to do Leave my grandpa alone 'cause he done got old too That's my grandpa, that's my grandpa That's my grandpa, sweetest man I ever saw Mama told me, oh, day of old Your grandpa stood by, tell this is told Now don't bother my grandpa 'cause he done got old too I ain't jivin', I ain't jokin' Ain't gonna never bother you My grandpa he shouts for joy Been takin' care of me ever since I was a boy He getting old now And he really is Really I know it 'cause I'm old myself My grandpa says son, take me a walkin' Say I wanna go where's the coolest place you know I say why, grandpa? 'Cause grandpa's getting old Tell all you people, done want you to understand Grandpa once have been a young man He getting old now He's getting to be an old man He can't remember 'morrow, but he still understands He look at me and he say, what's this all about? Give me my pipe son, and he had it in his mouth He's an old man, you know he don't got the mind, You see he don't hardly know what he's doing But he's still my grandpa But he ain't nothin' else to turn Tell all you young people, I don't mean no harm I just want you to leave my grandpa alone He says I've got old now, have pity on me If you bother my grandpa, I'm the one you gotta see My dear old dad.
Recorded in 1962.
Never Miss Your Water (Hopkins)
Never miss your water till your well run dry
Never miss your water till your well run dry
You know you never miss your little woman until she says goodbye
Whoa you know, I'm my papa's baby, I'm my mama's baby child
You know I'm my papa's baby, oh mama's baby child
Whoa you know you never miss your water, Lord until your well go dry
You know I've been wonderin', what makes a well run dry?
Whoa you know, I've been wonderin', wonderin', oh boy what makes a well run dry?
You know that's when the earth done settle down on the water,
Ain't no more water passing by.
From the Rhino CD "Los Angeles Blues", a reissue of a Vault LP recorded in LA in 1969. An earlier version of this tune is "Another Fool In Town".
See also:
No Education (Lightnin' Hopkins) Got not education, I'm just a fool in your town No education, I'm just another fool in town Yes first day I went to school, yes that sucker burn it down I can't read, can't even write my name I can't read, can't even write my name Yes but that ain't none o' your fault, Po' Lightnin' is to blame Mama done all she could, yes she did boy, yes to send this black man to school Yes she done all she could, send this black boy to school Yeah the first day I went there do you know, boy I broke my teacher's rule Yes... I broke it Ain't it a shame, ain't it a shame, way things happened to me Ain't it a shame, way things happened to me I went to school only one day and I didn't, learn my ABC's Bad luck happened to me!
A.k.a. "See that my grave is kept clean", is of course a classic blues song recorded innumerable times. This version by Lightning Hopkins is from the Arhoolie CD "Lightnin!" (CD 390), recorded ca. 1967 and first released on an Arhoolie LP.
You know it's one kind favor, I ask to you You know it's one kind favor, I ask to you See that my grave is kept clean You know it's two white horses in a line You know it's two white horses in a line You know it's two white horses in a line They gonna take po' Lightnin' to the buryin' ground Yes everybody! You know when I'm dead baby, you know I'm gone You know when I'm dead darlin', Po' Lightnin' gone But I don't have to worry too much I know, you comin' on One more time... I've got to tell you one more time sugar You know it's one kind favor I will ask to you You know it's one kind favor I'll ask to you You know it's one kind favor I'll ask to you See that my grave is kept clean
Recorded in 1961.
Sail On Little Girl (Trad.) Sail on, sail on, little girl, sail on Well you know you gonna keep on a sailing, Till you lose your happy home You know I can remember First day she sail away Cryin', I gotta go now, Lightnin' I ain't got no place to stay Sail on, sail on, little girl, sail on Well you gonna keep on a sailing Till you lose your happy home Sail on, sail on, little girl, sail on Sail on, sail on, little girl, sail on Well you know when you sail away Po' Lightnin' ain't gonna stay here long Sail on... I remember last word she had to say I remember last word she had to say She said, Lightnin', I'm figurin' to sail I'm sailing on today Sail on.
Recorded in 1962.
Smokes Like Lightnin' (Hopkins) Whoa it smoke like lightnin', yeah but shine like gold Don't you hear me talking pretty baby, Smoke like lightnin', yeah but shine like gold Yeah you know I see my little fair one Lying there on a cooling bowl Yes I see the hearse one morning backed up to our door Don't you hear me talking? Soon one morning, backed up to our door Well you know I could see my little baby Lying there on a cooling bowl Well my baby died and left me, Laid her on a cooling bowl Yes she died and she left me, They laid her on a cooling bowl Well they said, Lightnin' she's gone and left you now boy, You will never see her smiling face no more Well it was sad... Well I followed my baby, followed my baby Down to her burying ground Well I followed my baby, followed her Down to her burying ground Yeah it didn't hurt me so bad till I'd seen Poor miss when they let her down You know I done lost my little fair one I guess the next thing will be me I done lost my little fair one I guess the next thing will be me Whoa I ain't dead, no boys, But Po' Lightnin' sinking by degree By degree
Recorded in 1964.
The Howling Wolf (Hopkins) (Sound like I hear that wolf howlin'...) Yeah I'm the wolf and everybody in the world, Trying to find out who I prowl I'm the wolf and everybody in the world, They're trying to find out who I hound Well you know they can't see me at night, But they can hear me when I howl (Howl, wolf... I said howl... Now you're howlin'!...) I take time when I'm prowlin', Wipe my tracks out with my tail (A lot of people wonder why I do this but I wanna tell you) I take time when I come prowlin', Wipe my tracks out with my tail That's in order that no one discover, Whoa Lord he can't cross my trail I'm that wolf, dig a hole, Stick my nose down in the ground (hound) I'm that wolf, dig a hole, Stick my nose deep down in the ground Yeah you know I'll be hiding right at you baby, You'll think I'm way out on the outskirts of town (That's that wolf)
Recorded in 1964.
Too Many Drivers (Hopkins)
Baby you got too many drivers, Lord when you ain't got but just one wheel
Baby you got too many drivers, oh Lord when you ain't got but just one wheel
Yeah you know thinks look mighty funny when two mens, oh Lord,
driving your little automobile
Yeah you know I'd rather be rolling down, I'd be rolling down off a sandy hill
Yeah you know I'd rather be rolling down, I'd rather be rolling down a sandy hill
Yeah I know you got so many drivers,
and you ain't got but one little wheel
Baby you oughta go ahead on, I said and sell your little automobile
Yes you oughta go ahead on, woman and sell your little automobile
Yes you know out of all them drivers you've gotten,
you're lucky if you don't get someone killed
From the LP "Lightnin' In New York" (recorded Nov. 15, 1960) - Candid LP 9010.
TROUBLE BLUES (Hopkins) This is the trouble blues, that Lightnin' Hopkins is havin' at the present, which I hope it don't last all week. Trouble, trouble, trouble, Trouble is all in the world I see Trouble, trouble, trouble, Trouble is all in the world I see Yeah you know I often wonder What in the world gonna become of me Now when I wake up in the mornin' Blues and trouble all 'round my bed When I wake up in the mornin' Blues and trouble all 'round my bed Yeah you know I never will forget Last what I heard my baby said What did she say boy? She said "Lightnin' I'm leavin' you in the mornin' And you cryin' won't make me stay" She said "I'm leavin' you in the mornin' Lightnin' your cryin' won't make me stay" I just said "I hope, little girl, Po' Lightnin'll meet you again some day" And she got sad and I did too, we had to moan a little Well I had to tell 'r: "If you just gotta go Hope I'll meet you again some day If you just gotta go Hope I'll meet you again some day Yes when I do little girl You'll be done changed your evil way"
Mama said Son, how can you be happy when your brother way over in Vietnam? How can you be happy when your brother way over in Vietnam? I told her - I said Mama he may got lucky and win some money Oh he got to may bring some money back home Mama looked at me She said that ain't no way to talk about your brother But he's my child too She said Mister Johnson is tellin' everybody Exactly what he want them to do All right my child What if Uncle Sam was to call you boy? (I would be so lonesome) Oh I would miss you so much I may die Yes if Uncle Sam should call you, Oh Lord I miss you so much I may die Yeah you know when you get over yon' and get to fightin' them soldiers, Yeah you know you're gonna be fightin' way upon my heart.
"War News Blues" was recorded by Lightnin' Hopkins in the late 1940s or early 1950s. The text doesn't refer to a particular war; perhaps it refers to the beginning of the Cold War, or to the conflict in Korea. It probably reflects the contemporary fear that World War Three could break out at any moment.
From the ACE CD "Jake Head Boogie" (1999).
You may turn your radio on soon in the morning Sad news everyday You may turn your radio on soon in the morning Sad news everyday Yes you know I've got a warning Trouble is on its way Poor children runnin' & cryin', whoah mama Mama now what shall we do Poor children runnin' cryin', ooh mama Mama now what shall we do Yes she said you better pray children Same thing is happenin' to mama too I'm gonna dig me a hole this mornin' Dig it deep down in the ground I'm gonna dig me a hole this mornin' Dig it deep down in the ground So if they should happen to drop a bomb around somewhere I can't hear the echo when it sound
Another song from the LP "Lightnin' In New York"
WONDER WHY (Hopkins) Wonder why! You said you leavin', I couldn't see the reason why Baby you know you is in my life Yes you leavin', gonna leave Po' Lightnin' And I can't see the reason why But just as sure as heaven hand like hell above Baby I want you to remember little girl You're the one I love And you leavin', ain't tellin' me nothin' You won't say what for, You won't say what for You said you loved me, find out you were lyin' But it's gonna come a day, you gonna love me in your time You're gonna think about Po' Lightnin' In your lonesome time A many night, sit in my home alone Thinkin' about you woman, knowed you was gone That's all right, I'll sit here and moan I'll sit here and moan Look like the sun ain't gonna shine no more Darkness done caught me, no light in my door But that's all right, I'll forever worryin' Until I see you again tonight Again tonight A many day, I sit down and cry Thinkin' about you left me dissatisfied But that's all right, that's all right baby, Mmm that's all right, baby that's all right But that's all right.
From the LP "Lightnin' In New York" (recorded Nov. 15, 1960) - Candid LP 9010. On this song Lightnin' plays the piano.
YOUR OWN FAULT BABY, TO TREAT ME THE WAY YOU DO (Hopkins) Your own fault, baby, treat me the way you do It's your own fault baby, treatin' me the way you do It's your own fault baby, darlin' in treatin' me the way you do You know I did everything for right, I did everything I could to help you Whoa you once said that you loved me, yes but I found out you were lyin' Yes you once said that you loved me, found out you were lyin' Well you know you can't quit me black woman, and there ain't no need in you tryin' Whoa but still you my baby, don't make no difference what you may do Yes you still my baby, don't make no difference what you may do Yes I know you know little woman, how long I been in love with you
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