Blues Lyrics: Jimmy Witherspoon

He was born in Gurdon, Arkansas in 1923. He sang in the church choir while his mother played the piano. From 1941 to '43 he served in the Merchant Marine where he first performed (in Calcutta, with Teddy Weaterford's band). From 1944 until 1947 he worked with Jay McShann's band; after that he worked mostly freelance, with such jazz giants as Ben Webster, Jack McDuff, Groove Holmes, Roy Eldridge or Buck Clayton.

This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):

• Key To The Highway
• Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out

Key To The Highway

This version of Big Bill Broonzy's classic blues comes from the Reprise LP "Roots", featuring Ben Webster. It was probably recorded early in the Sixties (the LP doesn't give details). Besides Webster's sax it also featured Gerald Wilson's trumpet and a rhythm section consisting of pianist Ernie Freeman, drummer Jim Miller and bassist Ralph Hamilton.

See also:

• Key To The Highway (Big Bill Broonzy)

Key To The Highway (Broonzy - Segar)


I've got the key to the highway
Yes I'm billed out and bound to go
I'm gonna leave here runnin'
'Cause walking's just too slow

I'm going back to the border
Where I'm better known
'Cause you haven't done nothin'
But broke up our happy home

Now give me one more kiss baby
Yes before I go
'Cause when I leave here this time baby
I 'clare I won't be back no more

So long, goodbye
Yes I have to say goodbye
'Cause I'm gonna walk, walk this old highway
Until the day I die

Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out

Jimmy's version of Ida Cox's classic is from the LP "Roots" (Reprise).

See also:

• Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out (Bessie Smith)

Once I lived the life of a millionaire
Spendin' my money, I didn't even care
I took all my friends out for good times
I rode 'em in my Cadillac, bought 'em whiskey, champagne, and wine

But in '54 I began to fall down low
Not a friend, no place to go
And if I ever get my hands on a dollar again
I'm gonna squeeze it, squeeze it till the eagle grins

Nobody knows you when you're down and out
In your pockets not one penny
And your friends, you don't have any
But if I ever get on my feet again
I hope I don't need my lost long [sic] friend
It's mighty strange, without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you're down and out
Nobody knows you when you're down and out
Nobody wants to know you when you're, huh, broke

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