Big Bill Broonzy [1893-1958], was probably the most important Chicago blues artist in the Thirties and early Forties (that's before the period of "Chicago blues" represented by Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf a.o.). Not only did he record frequently under his own name, he also accompanied numerous other artists on their recordings, and he acted as talent scout for record companies. In the Fifties he was probably the first to bring the blues to European audiences.
Read more on Big Bill at the All-Music Guide.
This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):
A J. P. Johnson number (originally sung by Bessie Smith), can be heard on the Vogue CD "Big Bill Blues".
In an interview in 1957, Big Bill related how a record company executive invited a number of blues singers to the Mississippi flood region in 1927 and promised $500 for the one who would come up with the "best" blues about that great flood (it made 700,000 people homeless). Bessie Smith won the prize with her "Back Water Blues". Big Bill played his own version of that song after he told this story: "... one thing that did actually happen, I can remember that, that me and Jim Jackson - Charlie Jackson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, Ma Rainey, and this guy they called Barbecue Bob, and Shorty George... Mel [Mal?] Williams was the guy, he was ah - well he run the recording part of ah - this company at that time, the Paramount. And ah - OKeh and them companies, he did most of the recording for them - at least he kept auditions there and recorded - and they got together and they sent all of us down to Mississippi to look at this flood when it happened down there. And they said, the one that wrote the best one would get 500 bucks. So we all goes down there... and Bessie Smith got the 500 dollars. I think they paid Lonnie too something, because they didn't use the one that he had, but the one I wrote they didn't use it, and all the rest of the guys they didn't use none of them but Bessie's and they used Lonnie Johnson's, he was down there too. And the one that Bessie wrote, it had more feelings to it, and it had more sense too - in the words that she had in it - actually, things that I see was goin' on, down at that time, and a lot of people lost their lives in that flood and ah - she sung about it and a lot of them that ah - lost their homes and had to stay up in the hills in gins and cotton houses and different places, until they could get more places to stay..." (here Big Bill begins to strum his guitar) "I don't think nobody in the world ever sang it like Bessie. But I do know the tune of it and ah - the way I play it..." (launches into "Back Water Blues")
Listen to this interview fragment in RealAudio
It rained five days Lord and the clouds turned as dark as night It rained five days and the clouds turned as dark as night Lord that was really enough trouble to make a poor man wonder where in the world to go I got up one morning, poor me I couldn't get even get out of my door I got up one morning, poor me I couldn't get even get out of my door Lord that was really enough trouble to make a poor man wonder where in the world to go Now they rowed a little boat just about five miles across the farm Yeah they rowed a little boat down about five miles across the farm Lord I packed up all of my clothes and throwed them in and I declare they rowed poor old Bill along Then I went and I stood up on a high, high old lonesome hill Yes I went and I stood up on a high, high old lonesome hill Lord and all I could do was look down on the house baby where I used to live Now it thundered and it lightnin'd, Lord and the wind, wind began to blow Now it thundered and it lightnin'd, Lord and the wind, wind began to blow Lord there was thousands and thousands of poor people at that time didn't have no place to go
This "Big Bill Blues" is quite different from the other song by this name here. It was recorded in 1932 and you can find it on the Yazoo CD "Do That Guitar Rag" (Yazoo 1035).
Big Bill Blues Lord my hair's a-rising, my flesh begins to crawl Aw my hair's a-rising, my flesh begin to crawl I had a dream last night baby, another mule in my doggone stall Now there's some people said the Big Bill blues ain't bad Now some people said the Big Bill blues ain't bad Lord it must not have been them Big Bill blues they had Lord I wonder what's the matter, papa Bill can't get no mail Lord wonder what's the matter now, papa Bill can't get no mail Lord the post office must be on fire, the mailman must undoubtedly be in jail I can't be a wagon, since you ain't gonna be a mule Mmmm can't be a wagon mama, since you ain't gonna be a mule I ain't gonna fix up your black tradition, I ain't gonna be your doggone fool
Big Bill's "signature tune", recorded in Chicago on February 12, 1936 for Melotone. From the CBS Realm Jazz Series LP "Big Bill's Blues".
I got up this mornin', feelin' sad and blue I lost my baby now tell me, what I'm goin' to do You know I'm so lonesome Way these blues keep doggin' me Yeah baby but that's all right I will be up someday When my baby left me, she left me broken down She said Goodbye Big Bill, I will see you in another town Now you know I'm lonesome Way these blues keep doggin' me I says that's all right Big Bill will be up someday Now I've got to walk by myself, and sleep by myself On account the one I'm lovin', she keep on lovin' someone else You know I'm lonesome Way these blues keep doggin' me Yeah but that's all right Baby I will be up someday If I'd had listened at what my mother said, and did what she said I'd been home now, sleepin' in a great big bed Cause I'm lonesome Way these blues keep doggin' me Yeah but that's all right Baby I will be up someday The men was put on earth to rule, but women are ruling too Sometimes I wonder what a poor man gonna do Cause I'm lonesome Way these blues keep doggin' me Yeah but that's all right Way these blues is doggin' me
This song can be found on the CD: "Big Bill Blues" (Vogue). The recording date was September 20, 1951 in Paris.
Black, Brown And White (B. B. Broonzy) This little song that I'm singin' about People you know it's true If you're black and gotta work for a living This is what they will say to you They says if you was white, should be all right If you was brown, stick around But as you's black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back I was in a place one night They was all having fun They was all byin' beer and wine But they would not sell me none They said if you was white, should be all right If you was brown, stick around But if you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back Me and a man was workin' side by side This is what it meant They was paying him a dollar an hour And they was paying me fifty cent They said if you was white, 't should be all right If you was brown, could stick around But as you black, m-mm boy, git back git back git back I went to an employment office Got a number 'n' I got in line They called everybody's number But they never did call mine They said if you was white, should be all right If you was brown, could stick around But as you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back I hope when sweet victory With my plough and hoe Now I want you to tell me brother What you gonna do about the old Jim Crow? Now if you was white, should be all right If you was brown, could stick around But if you black, whoa brother, git back git back git back
A swinging duet with Louie Lasky, that was recorded in 1935. From the CD Yazoo 1035 "Do That Guitar Rag".
C & A Blues It's a little train leavin' outta here, they call the C 'n' A Why do take me home baby, I'm goin' home to stay because I'm leavin' in the mornin', Lord on that C 'n' A Yes I'm goin' back to St Louis, I'm goin' back to stay My baby got unlucky, she left from home What she gonna come back and say when she find her daddy gone Because... My woman walks around, her mouth poked out She won't tell nobody, what it's all about Because... Now pack up all my clothes, shove 'em to your door I'm leavin' this mornin' mama, I won't be back no more Because... Now the C's for Chicago, A for Arkan' Why I done leave you baby 'cause I'm tired of takin' your doggin' Now baby I'm ...
The "easy rider", also known as "See See Rider" or "C C Rider", is a blues cliché for the sexual partner, although originally it referred to the guitar hung on the back of the traveling bluesman.
You C C Rider, see what you done done C C Rider, you see what you done done You C C Rider, you see what you done done You done made me love you and now your man done come My home is on the water, I don't like no land at all Home's on the water and I don't like no land at all My home's on the water and I don't like no land at all I'd rather be dead than to stay here and be your dog So you C C Rider, see what you done done C C Rider, you see what you done done You C C Rider, you see what you done done You done made me love you and now your man done come I'm goin' away babe, sure don't wanna go Goin' away babe, but I sure don't wanna go I'm goin' away babe, but I sure don't wanna go When I'm leaving this town you will never see me no more So you C C Rider, see what you done done C C Rider, you see what you done done You C C Rider, you see what you done done You done made me love you and now your man done come My home's on the water and I don't like no land at all Home's on the water and I don't like no land at all My home's on the water and I don't like no land at all So goodbye baby I'm tired of being your dog
Recorded 17 July 1941 in Chicago; from the Best of Blues LP BoB-2 "Big Bill Broonzy 1935-41".
Conversation With The Blues Oh blues, I wanna have a little talk with you Yeah now blues, I wanna have a little talk with you Ah you done cause me to lose my woman, ah blues I guess you're through Oh blues, Big Bill wants to talk to you Oh blues, Big Bill wants to talk to you Now I believe you've been drinkin' moonshine, blues cause you don't care what yo udo Now looka here blues, I wanna talk to you You been makin' me drinkin', gamblin', and stay out all night too Now you got me to the place, I don't care what I do Yeah now blues, I wanna have a little talk with you Now I believe you've been drinkin' moonshine, blues cause you don't care what you do Yeah now blues, why don't you give poor Bill a break? Yeah now blues, why don't you give poor Bill a break? Now why don't try to help me to live, instead of tryin' to break my neck?
A well-known double-entendre blues, that Big Bill originally wrote for Washboard Sam. Big Bill sang it on the 1957 Folkways LP "Big Bill Sings The Country Blues".
Refrain: Baby, they diggin' my potatoes Lord, they trampin' on my vine Now I've got a special plan now baby Lord, that a-restin' on my mind Now, I don't want no cabbage sprouts, Bring me a solid head. S'pose they call the wagon . . . (?) I catched him in my bed You know they -- (REFRAIN) Now my vines is all green 'Tatoes they all red Never found a bruised one Till I caught them in my bed You know they -- (REFRAIN) Now, I've been all around Lookin' up and down Never found my baby 'Cause she was layin' in another town I know she's diggin' my potatoes Lord, she's trampin' on my vine Yes, now I got a special plan now baby Lord, that a-restin' on my mind Yes, I've got a special plan now baby Lord, that a-restin' on my mind
By "The Midnight Ramblers", i.e. Big Bill Broonzy with pianist Black Bob and probably Washboard Sam as second singer. There was also a string bass player. Recorded on 10 March 1937. From the LP Best of Blues BoB-2 "Big Bill Broonzy 1935-41".
Got a sweet woman, she give me what I need She lives down the alley and she's built with speed So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley if you wanna satisfy me Don't want no liquor, thirty cents a shot That stuff down the alley really hits the spot So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley if you wanna satisfy me Take me down in the alley boy, if you wanna satisfy me (piano solo by Black Bob) If you wanna somethin', smell like fish Down in the alley you can find that dish So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley if you wanna satisfy me I'm a tough man, I don't want nothin' nice Goin' down the alley where the wimmen shootin' dice So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley if you wanna satisfy me Take me down in the alley boy, where the wimmen shootin' dice If you wanna satisfy me Don't give me no woman, from uptown The wimmen down the alley really breaks 'em down So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley So take me down in the alley if you wanna satisfy me Gonna sing this verse, ain't gonna sing no more If you wanna find me you know where to go Just go down in the alley Just go down in the alley Just go down in the alley, baby if you wanna find me
Recorded in Chicago on 17 December 1940; to be found on the CD "String Dazzlers: Great Blues Guitarists" (Columbia Roots 'n' Blues Series)
You say you're gettin' old, Lord older every day You say you're gettin' old, yeah you say you're gettin' older every day Now you ain't but fifty, ooh Lord boy you shouldn't feel that way Now when you get so old, you can't work at no mill Yeah when you get so old, Lord boy you can't work at no mill Now don't you make no date, ooh Lord buddy that you can't fill Now if your luck don't change, boy don't you be sad Yeah if your luck don't change, now buddy don't you be sad Now you really gotta learn Lord to take the good now with the bad Now when you get old, and your good girl don't want you around Ooh Lord when you get old, and your good girl don't want you around Now you know you done run out of commission, ooh boy I declare you are poorhouse bound Now don't laugh buddy, Lord it nobody's downfall Ooh Lord don't laugh buddy, I mean it nobody's downfall Because if your woman would check up on you, ooh Lord she put another mule in your stall
Written by Big Bill and recorded in 1938.
Go down sun, we don't care We don't like sunshine, we drink moonshine here Chorus: Ain't we, baby, ain't we gonna have a time? Now ain't we baby, we gonna have a good time tonight? We've got whiskey, wine and gin We've got hot dogs, ain't got no skin, now (Chorus) We've got folks, black and brown We've got everything, will you stick around (Chorus) When you get high, you want something sweet We've got something that will knock you off your feet, now (Chorus) Come up to my house, wanna have some fun Bring your money gal, it is easy done (Chorus)
Big Bill was aged 58 when he recorded this blues about race discrimination, not 53 as he sings.
When I was born into this world, this is what happened to me I was never called a man, and now I'm fifty-three I wonder when I wonder when I wonder when will I get to be called a man Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three? When Uncle Sam called me, I knowed I'd be called a real McCoy But I got none of this, they just called me soldier boy I wonder when I wonder when I wonder when will I get to be called a man Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three? When I got back from overseas, that night we had a ball Next day I met the old boss, he said "Boy get you some overalls" I wonder when I wonder when I wonder when will I get to be called a man Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three? I've worked on the levee camps, and axer gangs too Black man's a boy, don't care what he can do I wonder when I wonder when I wonder when will I get to be called a man Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three? They aid I was uneducated, my clothes were dirty and torn Now I've got a little education, but I'm still a boy right on I wonder when I wonder when I wonder when will I get to be called a man Do I have to wait till I get ninety-three?
This song was originally made popular by Casey Bill Weldon. This is from a version that was recorded in 1957.
I'm gonna move way out on the outskirts of town I'm gonna move way out on the outskirts of town Now that's why I don't want nobody, ooh Lord baby always hingin' around I'm gonna tell you baby, we gonna move away from here I don't want no ice man, I'm gon' buy me a frigidaire When I move way out on the outskirts of town Now that's why I don't want nobody, ooh Lord baby always hingin' around I'm gon' bring my own groceries, bring them every day That's gonna stop that grocery boy, I mean it keep him away When I move way out on the outskirts of town Now that's why I don't want nobody, ooh Lord baby always hingin' around It may seem funny, funny as it can be But if my wife havin' a baby, I want 'em all to look just like me We move way out on the outskirts of town Now that's why I don't want nobody, ooh Lord baby always hingin' around
This version of Leroy Carr's classic was recorded by Big Bill Broonzy in 1951, and can be found on the Vogue CD "Big Bill Blues".
See also:
In the evening In the evening Mama when the sun go down In the evening darling I declare when the sun go down Yeah it's so lonesome it's so lonesome I declare when the one you love is not around When the sun go down Last night I were layin' sleepin' And I declare I was sleepin' all by myself Last night I were layin' sleepin' darling And I declare I was sleepin' all by myself Yeah but the one, the one that I was really in love with I declare she was sleepin' someplace else When the sun go down Yeah, ooh ooh ooh wee Yeah, ooh ooh ooh wee Yes the one that I was in love with I declare she was sleepin' someplace else When the sun go down The sun rises in the East And I declare it sets way over in the West Sun rises in the East darling And I declare it sets way over in the West Yes it's so hard, it's so hard to tell I declare which one that'll treat you the best When the sun go down Now goodbye, old sweethearts and pals Yes I declare I'm goin' away I may be back to see you again Little girl some old rainy day Yes in the evening in the evening I declare when the sun go down When the sun go down
From the 1957 Folkways LP "Big Bill Broonzy Sings Country Blues". This is a story about a legendary character, Joe Turner, who (quoting from the LP's booklet) "was two men - the white man who gave - the Negro who rode on a mule to deliver - the sack of cornmeal, the cut of meat, to the have-nots down in the slave quarters".
Only the refrain is actually sung.
Here's an excerpt of this song, cracks and all, in RealAudio format.
This song was written back in 1892. There was a terrible flood that year. People lost all their crops and everything. They lost their homes and everything they had. And the only man they know that could help them was a guy by the name of Joe Turner. And Joe Turner was a man who's known to help all poor people - the white and the black. And they would start cryin' and singin' this song: (sings:) Tell me Joe Turner been here and gone Lord, they tell me Joe Turner been here and gone They tell me Joe turner been here and gone Then they would go out hunting rabbits, 'coons, 'possoms - anything they could catch to eat. Sometimes they would catch something - then most of the time they didn't. And when they would come home, they would find flour, meat and molasses, and everything in their house to eat; and they would know that Joe Turner had been there and left food for them. And they would start cryin' and singin' this song: (sings:) They tell me Joe Turner been here and gone Lord, they tell me Joe turner been here and gone They tell me Joe Turner been here and gone Then they would go out looking for things; then they would come home and they would find wood, clothes, everything in their homes when they would come back. Then they would get happy, 'cause they had food, clothes, wood to make their fires and everything. And they would get happy and start a-doing a little dance. Then they would do a little boogie-woogie too. (Plays a little boogie guitar)
Big Bill recorded this in Chicago, 2 May 1941; it's from the LP Big Bill Broonzy 1935-41 (Best of Blues BoB-2). It has become a classic of the blues repertoire - see e.g. Jimmy Witherspoon's version.
See also:
I got the key to the highway, and I'm billed out and bound to go I'm gonna leave here runnin', cause walkin' is most too slow I'm goin' down on the border, now where I'm better known Cause woman you don't do nothin', but drive a good man 'way from home Now when the moon creeps over the mountain, I'll be on my way Now I'm gonna walk this old highway, until the break of day Come here, sweet mama, now and help me with this heavy load I am due in West Texas, and I've got to get on the road I'm goin' to West Texas, I'm goin' down behind the farm(?) I'm gonna ax the good Lord what evil have I done
Written by Big Bill Broonzy.
I got a letter this morning Made me sad and blue Said my woman's in trouble You know I'm in trouble too That's why I'm so lonesome Lord and I stay blue all the time Ah but that's all right I will overcome some day I couldn't do nothing 'Cause I was sad and blue I know there's some' wrong with my baby And it hurts me too That's why I'm so lonesome And I stay blue all the time Yeah but that's all right I will overcome some day Nights are so lonesome Days are so blue Just sittin' here rubbin' my hands baby Wonderin' what happened to you That's why I'm so lonesome Lord and I stay blue all the time Yeah but that's all right I will overcome some day
How low can you be? When you have to "look up at down", you're about as low as you can get. Big Bill wrote this and recorded it in Chicago on 10 June, 1940 for Okeh. This is from the CBS Realm Jazz Series LP "Big Bill's Blues".
I'm just like an old rooster, out way out here on a hill I'm just like an old rooster, out way out here on a hill People I'm done scratchin', ooh Lord Big Bill is just tryin' to live I'm just like Joe's turkey, I can't do nothing but bauble(?) I'm so poor baby, I have to lean up against the fence to garble(?) Yeah now baby, gal, I believe I change town Yeah I'm down so low baby, ooh Lord girl I declare I'm lookin' up at down The men in the mine baby They all lookin' down at me Gal I'm down so low baby I'm low as I can be Yeah now baby Girl I'm down as I can be Gal I'm down so low baby Ooh Lord everybody's lookin' down on poor me Everything I get a hold of baby It goes away like snow in June If I get a chance now baby again I'm goin' up to the moon Yeah now baby Yeah I believe I change town Yeah poor me down so low baby Big Bill is lookin' up at down
A country blues classic, the origins of which are shrouded in the mists of time... Big Bill recorded this for the 1957 Folkways LP "Big Bill Broonzy sings Country Blues".
Louise, you the sweetest gal I know Louise, you the sweetest gal I know Yeah, you made me walk from Chicago, baby, Down to the Gulf of Mexico Now, look a-here, Louise Now, what you tryin' to do? You tryin' to make me love you And you love some other man too Whoa Louise, baby that will never do Yeah, you know you can't love Big Bill, baby And love some other man too Louise, I believe Somebody been fishin' in my pond They been catchin' all my perches Grinding up the bone Whoa Louise, baby why don't you hurry home? Yeah you know, you know, Louise, I ain't had no lovin', not since you been gone Louise, you know you got ways Like a rattlesnake and a squirrel Now, when you start the lovin' I declare, it's out of this world Whoa Louise, baby, why don't you hurry home? Yes, I ain't had no lovin' baby Not since my Louise been gone Louise, the big boat's up the river Now she's on a bag of sand Now she don't strike deep water I declare she'll never land Whoa Louise, baby why don't you hurry home? Yeah you know, you know Louise I ain't had no lovin', not since you been gone.
Written by Big Bill and recorded in 1940.
I've got a merry go round, little girl don't you want to ride? I've got a merry go round, now little girl, now don't you want to ride? Now don't be scared woman, oh Lord Big Bill is by your side Ain't you tired of see-sawing? Baby jump on my merry go round Ain't you tired of see-sawing? Baby jump on my merry go round Now you ride with me one time, ooh Lord and I declare you'll say you're heaven bound (play it, boy!) Catch a good hold with your hand, baby, set your feet just right Catch a good hold with your hand, darling, set your feet just right I'm gonna give you a good ride baby, ooh Lord I'm gonna try to dog my mind You want to ride easy, baby jump on my merry go round You want to ride easy, now jump on my merry go round Lord I declare it's made out of hickory wood woman, ooh Lord you sure can't break her down
This classic blues by Leroy Carr was recorded by Big Bill Broonzy on May 5, 1938 in Chicago for Vocalion. It is from the CBS Realm Jazz Series LP "Big Bill's Blues".
I'm gonna tell you baby something I want you to do Don't stay out all night baby, and I want your little heart to be true Yeah because night time is the right time To be with the one you love With the one you love Now don't forget baby, I love you with all my might If you get home before midnight baby, I declare everything will be all right Yeah because night time is the right time To be in the bed with the one you love With the one you love I ain't gonna beat you baby, I declare I ain't gonna dog you around Gal I'm just gonna warn you baby before the news gets all over town Gal that night time is the right time To be in the bed with the one you love With the one you love Play it mister man! Night time is the right time! Listen to me baby, I mean with your whole heart and mind I just want to hold you baby in my arms and hold you for a long long time Yeah because night time is the right time Baby to be with the one you love Oh with the one you love
From the 1957 Folkways LP "Big Bill Broonzy Sings Country Blues". The booklet notes remark, somewhat enigmatically, "the lyrics are of interest especially as regards word usage".
I wonder why that south-bound train don't run I wonder why that south-bound train don't run Now you don't need no tellin', little girl, you know what you done You made me love you, now your man done come You made me love you, now your man done come Now you leave me here worryin' baby, and I'm just the lonely one Standin' at a station, now, waitin' for a train Standin' at a station, I'm waitin' on a train Now, deep down in my poor heart, baby, that a lot, an achin' pain Mr. conductor man, please let me ride your train Mr. conductor man, please let me ride your train Now if I make it to that lowland, man, I'll be a happy man Standin' at a station, tears was in my eye Standin' at a station, tears was in my eye Now that I've lost my best friend, how can I be satisfied? I hear a whistle, wonderin' where is that train I hear a whistle, wonderin' where is that train Now that I've lost my baby, I've got all red brain
Written by Big Bill and recorded in Chicago on January 29, 1937 for Melotone. From the CBS Realm Jazz Series LP "Big Bill's Blues".
Early early one morning, water was comin' in my door Early one morning, water was comin' in my door It was the old high(?) river, tellin' us to get ready and go It was dark and it was rainin', you could hear that howlin' wind It was dark and it was rainin', baby you could hear that howlin' wind If I get away this time, I will never come here again Hey my baby was cryin', I didn't have a thing to eat Hey hey hey, I didn't have a thing to eat Hey the water had come in, wash everything I had down the street I was hollerin' for mercy, and it weren't no boats around Hey I was hollerin' for mercy, and it weren't no boats around Hey that looks like people, I've gotta stay right here and drown Hey my house started shakin', started floatin' on down the stream Hey my house started shakin', went on floatin' on down the stream It was dark as midnight, people began to holler and scream
By "The Midnight Ramblers", i.e. Big Bill Broonzy with pianist Black Bob and probably Washboard Sam as the second singer who sings the second part of the chorus lines. There was also a string bass player. Recorded on 10 March 1937. From the LP Best of Blues BoB-2 "Big Bill Broonzy 1935-41".
I got on a streetcar one day, the conductor held out his hand You can't get no free ride here, man don't you understand You must have - stuff they call money You must have - down in your pocket You must have - the stuff they call money Don't you can't ride on here See the girl goin' down the street, she look so nice and neat I looked around at my buddy, he say "You know that can't be beat" But you must have - stuff they call money You must have - down in your pocket You must have - the stuff they call money Don't you can't buy it in here I asked a girl, let's have some fun, this is what she said "If you ain't got no money, you cain't get in my bed" Cause you must have - stuff they call money You must have - down in your pocket You must have - the stuff they call money Don't you can't buy it in here I went in a place last night, a man pulled up a gun He said "sit quiet everybody, don't nobody run" Cause you must have - stuff they call money You must have - down in your pocket You must have - the stuff they call money Don't you can't stay in here I went in a place last night, I went there with my friend This is what the people said, don't never come back again Cause you must have - stuff they call money You must have - down in your pocket You must have - the stuff they call money Don't you can't stay in here
This classic blues is from an old Folkways LP, "Big Bill Broonzy Sings Country Blues" (Folkways FS2326, 1957). It has a booklet with an essay on Big Bill and the Country Blues by Charles Edward Smith, an interview by Studs Terkel, and the lyrics to the songs themselves.
I love you, baby, I ain't gonna lie Without you, woman, I just can't be satisfied 'Cause when things go wrong, so wrong with you It hurts me too. So, run here, baby, Put your little hands in mine, I've got something to tell you, baby, I know, that will change your mind When things go wrong, so wrong with you It hurts me too. I want you, baby, Just to understand I don't want to be your boss, baby, I just want to be your man When things go wrong, so wrong. with you It hurts me too. Now, when you go home, You don't get along Come back to me, baby, Where I live, that's your home When things go wrong, so wrong with you It hurts me too. I love you, baby, You know it's true I wouldn't mistreat you, baby, Not for nothing in this world like you When things go wrong, so wrong with you It hurts me too... So, yes, you know, when things go wrong, It hurts me too.
Written by Big Bill and recorded in 1939.
I believe, I believe, I believe I'll change my way I believe, I believe, I believe I'll change my way There is three things, cross me down today There is three things in life just won't let me rest There is three things in life just won't let me rest There's whiskey and good time, and a good woman can do the rest One drink will make you want more, and more will make your love come down Yeah, more'll make your love come down Boy you should go home 'cause you can't do a thing but clown Yeah, look how three things brought me down Yeah, look how three things brought me down Now don't fly high, 'cause it hurts when you hit the ground I don't wanna be rich, I don't care for fancy clothes Now I don't wanna be rich, I don't care for fancy clothes Yes give me a pretty woman and an automobile, I will be a happy soul
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