34 Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in New York, January 31, 1934

Vocalion Records Vo-02651 14739-1

I ain't going to tell nobody, thirty-four have done for me
I ain't going to tell nobody what thirty-four have done for me
Took my roll, Lord, I was broke as I could be

They run me from Will Dockery's, Willie Brown, I want your job
They run me from Will Dockery's, Willie Brown, I want your job
spoken: Buddy, what's the matter?
Ah, one of them told papa Charley «I don't want you hanging around my job no more»

Well, look down the country, it almost make you cry
Well, look down the country, it almost make you cry
spoken: My God, children!
Women and children flagging freight trains for rides

Carmen got a little Six Buick, big Six Chevrolet car
Carmen got a little Six Buick, little Six Chevrolet car
spoken: My God, what solid power!
And id don't do nothing but follow behind Holloway's farmer's plow

And it may bring sorrow, Lord, and it may bring tears
It may bring sorrow, Lord, and it may bring tears
Oh Lord, oh Lord, let me see your brand new year

Banty Rooster Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929

Paramount Records 15217 Pm-12792

I'm going to buy me a banty, put him in my back door
I'm going to buy me a banty, put him in my back door
Lord, he sees a stranger coming, he'll flap his wings and crow

What you want with a rooster, he won't crow 'fore day
What you want with a rooster, he won't crow 'fore day
What you want with a man when he won't do nothing he say

What you want with a hen won't cackle when she lay
What you want with a hen won't cackle when she lay
What you want with a woman when she won't do nothing I say

Oh, take my picture, hang it up in Jackson's wall
Oh, take my picture, hang it up in Jackson's wall
Anybody asks you «What about it?», tell 'em «That's all, that's all»

My hook's in the water and my cork's on top
My hook's in the water and my cork's on top
How can I lose, Lord, with the help I got

I know my dog anywhere I hear him bark
I know my dog anywhere I hear him bark
I can tell my rider if I feel her in the dark

Bird Nest Bound

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. May 28, 1930

Paramount Records L-433-1 Pm-13070

Come on, mama
spoken: Out to the edge of town
Come on, mama, out to the edge of town
I know where there's a bird nest built down on the ground

If I was a bird, mama…
If I was a bird, mama, I would build a nest in the heart of town
spoken: Lord, you know I'd build it in the heart of town
So when the town get lonesome I'd be bird nest bound

Hard luck is at your front door, blues are in your room
Hard luck is at your front door, blues are in your room
Trouble is at your back door, what is going to become of you

Sometimes I say I need you, then again I don't
Sometimes I say I need you, then again I don't
spoken: You know it's the truth, baby
Sometimes I think I'll quit you, then again I won't

Oh, I remember one morning standing in my baby's door
spoken: Sure, boy, I was standin' there
Oh, I remember one morning standing in my baby's door
spoken: Boy, you know what she told me?
«Look a-here, papa Charley, I don't want you no more»

Take me home, sweet home, baby, to that shining star
Take me home, now, to that shining star
spoken: Lord, you know I'm just stayin' there
You don't need no telling, mama, take me in your car

Devil Sent The Rain

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. November, 1929

Paramount Records L-40-1 Pm-13040

Good Lord send the sunshine, devil he send the rain
Good Lord send the sunshine, devil he send the rain
I will be here tomorrow on the morning train

You don't know, sure don't know my mind
You don't know, baby, sure don't know my mind
I don't show you my ticket and you don't know where I'm going

Followed sweet mama to the burying ground
Followed sweet mama to the burying ground
I didn't know that I loved her till they laid her down

I been to the ocean, peeped down the deep blue sea
I been to the ocean, peeped down the deep blue sea
I didn't see nobody looked like my sweet mama to me

One of these mornings, you know it won't be long
One of these mornings, baby, you know it won't be long
You going to be mistreated and I'll have to leave you home

I'm going away, mama, don't you want to go
I'm going away, mama, don't you want to…

Down The Dirt Road Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929

Paramount Records 15215 Pm-12854

I'm going away to the one I know
I'm going away to the one I know
I'm worried now but I won't be worried long

My rider got something she trying to keep it hid
My rider got something she trying to keep it hid
Lord, I got something to find that something with

I feel like chopping, chips flying everywhere
I feel like chopping, chips flying everywhere
I've been to the nation, Lord, but I couldn't stay there

Some people say them overseas blues ain't bad [SPOKEN: ???]
Some people say them overseas blues ain't bad [SPOKEN: ???]
It must not have been them overseas blues I had

Every day seem like murder here
Every day seem, seem like murder here
I'm going to leave tomorrow, I know you don't didn't want me here

Can't go down this dark road by myself
Can't go down this dark road by myself [SPOKEN: ???]
I don't carry my rider, going to carry me someone's else

Dry Well Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. May 28, 1930

Paramount Records L-429-2 Pm-13070

When I was living at Lula I was living there at ease
When I was living at Lula I was living there at ease
Lord, the drought come in cold autumn, parched up all the trees

Oh, today over in Lula we'll bid that town goodbye
Today in Lula we'll bid that town goodbye
Well, when it come to another day, Lord, the Lula well was gone dry

Lord, the citizens around Lula all doing very well
Citizens around Lula all doing very well
Lord, they all get together and they done bored a well

I ain't got no money and I sure ain't got no home
I ain't got no money and I sure ain't got no home
The old weather done come in and parched all the cotton and corn

Oh, look down the country, Lord, it'll make you cry
Look country, Lord, it'll make you cry
Most everybody, Lord, had a watering bayou

Lord, the Lula women, Lord [?] up and down
Lula men, oh, puttin' Lula men down

Lord, you ought to be there, Lord, see the womens all leaving town

Going To Move To Alabama

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. November 1929

Paramount Records L-37-1 Pm-13014

I'm goin' to move to Alabama,  I'm goin' to move to Alabama,
I'm goin' to move to Alabama, make Georgia be your home.

Ah, she's long and tall
*The way she do the boogie* makes a panther squall

I have to move to Alabama, I have to move to Alabama
I have to move to Alabama to make Georgia be your home

I'm going to show you, common women, how I feel
Going to get me another woman before I leave

I'm goin' to move to Alabama, said I will move to Alabama
Said, I will move to Alabama, make Georgia be your home

Say, mama got the washboard, my sister got the tub
My brother go the whiskey, mama got the jug

I'm goin' to move to Alabama, I'm a-move to Alabama
I'm a-move to Alabama, make Georgia be your home

Well, these evil women sure make me tight
Got a handful of give-me, mouthful of much-obliged

You must've been to Alabama, you must've been to Alabama
You must've been to Alabama to make Georgia be your home

Well, I got a woman, she's long and tall
But when she wiggles she makes a panther squall

She gonna move to Alabama, have you been to Alabama
Have you been to Alabama to make Georgia be your home

Say, mama and papa going to work
Left my sister standing at the watering trough

Well, have you been to Louisiana, have you been to Alabama
Have you been to Alabama to make Georgia be your home

My mama told me
Never lose a woman like she can't love you

Well, have you been to Alabama, have you been to Alabama,
Have you been to Alabama to make Georgia be your home

I got up this morning, my hat in my hand
Didn't have no other brown, didn't have no man

Well, have you been to Alabama, have you been to Alabama,
Have you been to Alabama to make Georgia be your home

Green River Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. November, 1929

Paramount Records L-44-3 Pm-12972

I went up to Green River rolling like a log
I went up to Green River rolling like a log
I went up to Green River, Lord, rolling like a log

Think I heard that Marion whistle blow
I dreamed I heard that Marion whistle blow
And it blew just like my baby getting on board

I'm going where the Southern [1] cross the Dog [2]
I'm going where the Southern cross the Dog
I'm going where the Southern cross the Dog

Some people say the Green River blues ain't bad
Some people say the Green River blues ain't bad
Then it must not have been them Green River blues I had

It was late one night, everything was still
It was late one night, everything was still
I could see my baby upon a lonesome hill

How long evening train been gone
How long, baby, that evening train been gone
You know I'm worried now but I won't be worried long

I'm going away to make it lonesome here
I'm going away to make it lonesome here
Yes, I'm goin' away, baby, to make it lonesome here

Hammer Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. November, 1929

Paramount Records L-47-2 Pm-12998

Going to buy me a hammock, carry it underneath through the trees
Going to buy myself a hammock to carry it underneath the trees
So when the wind blow the leaves may fall on me

Go on, baby, you can have your way
Go on, baby, you can have your way
Sister, every dog sure must have his day

They got me in shackles, I'm wearing my ball and…
They got me in shackles, I'm wearing my ball and chain
And they got me ready for that Parchman train

I went to the depot, I looked up at the board
I went to the depot, I looked up at the board
And the train had left, went streaming on up the road

Clothes I buy, baby, honey you gonna appre…
You're gonna appreciate, honey, all clothes I'll buy
I will give you all my lovin', baby, till the day I die

I was way up Red River, calling all night long
I went up Red River, calling all night long

I think I heard the Bob Lee boat when she moaned

Heart Like Railroad Steel

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. November, 1929

Paramount Records L-50-1 Pm-12953

My babe's got a heart like a piece of railroad steel
My babe's got a heart like a piece of railroad steel
If I leave you this morning, don't say «Dad, how do you feel?»

I will leave her at the crossing when the train pass by
I will leave her at the crossing when the train pass by
She blowed for the crossing, then she started to fly

I got up this morning something after five
I got up this morning something after five
And the morning sun, Lord, was beginning to rise

I will cut your wood, baby
Cut your wood, baby, I will make your fire
I will tote you water from the boggy bayou

If your woman mistreat you *better off in your lap*
If your woman mistreat you *better off in your lap*
I didn't find me nobody, did not have a man

High Sheriff Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in New York, January 30, 1934

Vocalion Records Vo-02680 14725-2

When the trial was in Belzoni it ain't no use of screaming and cry, mmm mmm
When the trial was in Belzoni it ain't no use of screaming and cry, mmm mmm
Mr. Webb will take you back to Belzoni jail a-flying

Let me tell you, folks, just how he treated me, eee eee
Let me tell you, folks, just how he treated me, eee eee
And he put me in the cellar, it was dark as it could be

It's late one evening, Mr. Purvis was standing around, mmm mmm
It's late one evening, Mr. Purvis was standing ‘round, mmm mmm
Mr. Purvis told Mr. Webb to let poor Charley down

It takes boozy booze, Lord, to carry me through, mmm mmm
Takes boozy booze, Lord, to carry me through, mmm mmm
Thirty days seem like years in a jailhouse where there is no booze

I got up one morning feeling all… mmm mmm
I got up one morning feeling mighty bad, mmm mmm
And it must not have been them Belzoni jail I had

spoken: Blues I had, boys

While I was in trouble, ain't no use a-screamin'… mmm mmm
When I was in prison it ain't no use to scream and cry
Mr. Purvis on his mansion, he don't pay no mind

High Water Everywhere (part 1)

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. December 1929

Paramount Records L-59-1 Pm-12909

The backwater done rose all around Sumner, drove me down the line
Backwater done rose all around Sumner, drove poor Charley down the line
Well, I tell the world the water done struck through this town

Lord, the whole round country, Lord, creek water is overflowed
Lord, the whole round country, man, is overflowed
spoken: You know I can't stay here, I'll go where it's high, boy
I would go to the hill country but they got me barred

Now, look-a here now at Leland, river was risin' high
Look a-here boys around Leland tell me, river was raisin' high
spoken: Boy, it's risin' over there, yeah
I'm gonna move to Greenville fore I leave, goodbye

Look a-here the water now, Lordy, levee broke, rose most everywhere
The water at Greenville and Leland, Lord, it done rose everywhere
spoken: Boy, you can't never stay here
I would go down to Rosedale, but they tell me there's water there

Now, the water now, mama, done took Charley's town
Well, they tell me the water done took Charley's town
spoken: Boy, I'm goin' to Vicksburg
Well, I'm goin' to Vicksburg, for that high of mine

I am goin' up that water where lands don't never flow
Well, I'm goin' over the hill where water, oh, don't ever flow
spoken: Boy, hit Sharkey County and everything was down in Stovall
But, that whole county was leavin' over that Tallahatchie shore
spoken: Boy, went to Tallahatchie and got it over there

Lord, the water done rushed all over down old Jackson road
Lord, the water done raised over the Jackson road
spoken: Boy, it starched my clothes

I'm goin' back to the hilly country, won't be worried no more

High Water Everywhere (part 2)

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. December 1929

Paramount Records L-60-2 Pm-12909

Backwater at Blytheville backed up all around
Backwater at Blytheville, done took Joiner town
It was fifty families and children come to sink and drown

The water was risin' up at my friend's door
The water was risin' up at my friend's door
The man said to his women, folk, «Lord, we'd better go»

The water was risin', got up in my bed
Lord, the water was rollin', got up to my bed
I thought I would take a trip, Lord, out on the big ice sled

Oh, I can hear, Lord, Lord, water upon my door,
spoken: You know what I mean, look-a here
I hear the ice, Lord, Lord, was sinkin' down,
I couldn't get no boats there, Marion City gone down

So high the water was risin' our men sinkin' down
Man, the water was risin' at places all around,
spoken: Boy, they's all around
It was fifty men and children come to sink and drown

Oh, Lordy, women and grown men drown
Oh, women and children sinkin' down
spoken: Lord, have mercy
I couldn't see nobody's home and wasn't no one to be found

It Won't Be Long

Charley Patton

Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929

Paramount Records 15220 Pm-12854

I believe sweet mama going to do like she say, babe
Lord, I believe sweet mama going to do like she say
Going to cook my supper, Lord, put me in her bed

You ever go to Memphis, stop by Minglewood, babe
You ever go to Memphis, stop by Minglewood, babe
You, Memphis women, don't mean no man no good

She's got a man on her man, got a kid on her kid, babe
She's got a man on her man, got a kid on her kid, babe
Done got so bold, Lord, won't keep it hid

Ah, all right, ain't going to be here long, babe
Ah, all right, ain't going to be here long, babe
Ah, all right, ain't going to be here long

I believe sweet mama sure was kind to me, babe
I believe sweet mama sure was kind to me, babe
She's up at night like a police on his beat

I'll tell you something, keep it to yourself, babe
I'm gonna tell you something, keep it to yourself, babe
Please, don't tell your husband, Lord, and no one else

She's got a long tall woman, tall like a cherry tree, babe
She's got a long tall woman, tall like a cherry tree, babe
She gets up before day and she puts that thing on me

Jersey Bull Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in New York, January 30, 1934

Vocalion Records Vo-02782 14723-

If you got a good bullcow, you ought to keep your bull, bull at home
If you got a good bullcow, you ought to keep your bull, bull at home
spoken: Boy, keep *that* bull at home
Say, may come along a young heifer and just tow your bull from home

Oh, my bull's in the pasture, babe, Lord, where there's no grass
Yeah, my bull's, Lord, where there's no grass
spoken: Boy, no grass in the pasture
I swear every minute, it seems like it's going to be my last

And my bull got a horn long as my arm
And my bull got a horn, babe, long as my arm
spoken: Boy, long as my arm
My bull got a horn long as my arm

Oh, a five pound ax and I'll cut two different ways
I've an old five pound ax and I'll cut two different ways
spoken: Boy, *cut* my woman both night and day
And I cut my little woman both night and day

I've an old five pound ax and I just dropped in your town
I've an old five pound ax and I just dropped in your town
spoken: Boy, I got women, now, behind me
I got women, now, behind me, just try that old ax on down

And I remember one morning between midnight and day
spoken: Ah, sure
And I remember one morning between midnight and day
spoken: Boy, I were way upstairs [???]
I were way upstairs throwing myself away

Love My Stuff

Charley Patton

Recorded in New York, January 31, 1934

Vocalion Records Vo-02782 14746-

I love my stuff, babe, I want to give it *a hop*
I love my stuff, babe, I want to give it *a hop*
And my rider's got the [?] shivers, swear it just won't stop

Oh, I know she want it hard, babe, sure don't want it chawed
spoken: Oh, she want it hard
Oh, I know she want it hard, babe, sure don't want it chawed
spoken: Oh, you know it would brake my heart
It would brake my heart if *the [?] need* no more

And I keeps on telling my rider, well, she was *shivering* down
spoken: Baby, please, *shivering* down
I keeps on telling my rider, well, *she was shivering down*
Lord, that jelly-baking strut will make a monkey-man leave his town

Oh, the light burning dim [?] *terrible near*
Oh, the light burning dim [?] *terrible near*
spoken: Oh, sure
It must a-be the devil inside this barrel of gin

Oh, I'm going to leave Mississippi now, babe, before it be too late
I'm going to leave Mississippi before it be too late
spoken: Oh, you know I'm going to leave Mississippi
It may be like Twenty-Seven Highway, swear it just won't wait

Oh, I once had a notion, Lord, I believe I will
spoken: Oh, sure
I once had a notion, Lord, I believe I will
I'm going to go to the river and stop at Dago Hill

Mississippi Bo Weavil Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929

Paramount Records 15211 Pm-12805

It's a little bo weevil she's moving in the [air], Lordy
You can plant your cotton and you won't get half a cent, Lordy
Bo weevil, bo weevil, where's your little home, Lordy
«A-Louisiana and Texas is where I's bred and born», Lordy
Well, I saw the bo weevil, Lord, a-circle, Lordy, in the air, Lordy
The next time I seen him, Lord, he had his family there, Lordy
Bo weevil left Texas, Lord, he bid me «fare you well», Lordy

spoken: Where you goin' now?

I'm going down to Mississippi going to give Louisiana hell, Lordy
Bo weevil told the farmer that «I ain't going to treat you fair», Lordy

spoken: How is that, boy?

Suck all the blossoms and he leave you an empty square, Lordy
The next time I seed you, you know you had your family there, Lordy
Bo weevil and his wife went and sit down on the hill, Lordy
Bo weevil told his wife «Let's take this forty in», Lordy
Bo weevil told his wife, said, «I believe I may go north», Lordy

spoken: Hold on, I'm gonna tell all about that

«Let's leave Louisiana and go to Arkansas», oh Lordy
Well, I saw the bo weevil, Lord a-circle, Lord, in the air, Lordy
Next time I seed him, Lord, he had his family there, Lordy
Bo weevil told the farmer that «I ain't going to treat you fair», Lordy
Took all the blossoms and leave you an empty square, Lordy
Bo weevil, bo weevil, where your little home, Lordy
Most anywhere they raise cotton and corn, Lordy
Bo weevil, bo weevil, call that treating me fair, Lordy
Next time I seen you, you had your family there, Lordy

Moon Going Down

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. May 28, 1930

Paramount Records L-432-1 Pm-13014

Oh, the moon is going down, baby, sun's about to shine
Oh, the moon is going down, baby, sun's about to shine
Rosetta Henry told me, Lord, «I don't want you hanging around»

Oh, well, where were you now, baby, Clarksdale mill burned down
Oh, well, where were you now, baby, Clarksdale mill burned down
spoken: Boy, you know where I were
I was way down Sunflower with my face all full of frowns

There's a house over yonder painted all over green
There's a house over yonder painted all over green
spoken: Boy, you know I know it's over there
Some of the finest young women, Lord, a man most ever seen

Lord, I think I heard that Helena whistle, Helena whistle, Helena whistle blow
Lord, I think I heard that Helena whistle blow
spoken: Well, I hear it blowin' now
Lord, I ain't going to stop walking till I get in my rider's door

Oh, the smokestack is black and the bell it shine like, bell it shine like, bell it shine like gold
Oh, the smokestack is black and the bell it shine like gold
spoken: [???]
Lord, I ain't going to walk here, baby, around no more

Oh, I was out at midnight when I heard the loco blow
I was out at night when I heard the loco blow
spoken: [???]
I got to see my rider where she's getting her dough

Pea Vine Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929

Paramount Records 15221-A Pm-12877

I think I heard the Pea Vine when she blowed
I think I heard the Pea Vine when she blowed
Blowed just like my rider getting on board

You're living single, Lord, you know I ain't going to stay
spoken: Baby, you know I can't stay
You're living single, Lord, you know I ain't going to stay
I'm going up the country, mama, in a few more days

Yes, you know it, you know it, you know you done me wrong
Yes, you know it, you know it, you know you done me wrong
Yes, you know it, you know it, you know you done me wrong

Yes, I cried last night and I ain't going to cry no more
I cried last night and I ain't going to cry no more
But the Good Book tell us you got to reap just what you sow

Stop your way of living and you won't… have to cry no more
spoken: You won't have to cry no more, babe
Stop your way of living and you won't have to cry no more
Stop your way of living and you won't have to cry no more

I think I heard the Pea Vine when she blowed
I think I heard the Pea Vine when she blowed
She blowed just like she wasn't going to blow no more

Pony Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929

Paramount Records 15216 Pm-12792

You can catch my pony, saddle up my black mare
You can catch my pony, saddle up my black mare
I'm going to find a rider, baby, in the world somewhere

Hello, Central, what's the matter with your line
Hello, Central, matter, Lord, with your line
Come a storm last night, tore the wires down

Got a brand new Shetland, man, already trained
Brand new Shetland, baby, already trained
Just get in the saddle, tighten up on your reins

And a brownskin woman like something fit to eat
Brownskin woman like something fit to eat
But a jet-black woman don't put your hand on me

Took my baby to meet the morning train
Took baby, meet the morning train
And the blues come down, baby, like showers of rain

I got something to tell you when I gets a chance
Something to tell you when I gets a chance
I don't want to marry, just wanna be your man

Poor Me

Charley Patton

Recorded in New York, February 1, 1934

Vocalion Records Vo-02651 14757-1

Yes on me, it's poor me, you must take pity on poor me
I ain't got nobody, take pity on poor me

You may go, you may stay, but she'll come back some sweet day
By and by, sweet mama, by and by

Don't the moon look pretty shinin' down through the tree?
Oh, I can see Bertha Lee, Lord, but she can't see me

You may go, you may stay, but she'll come back some sweet day
By and by, sweet mama, baby won't you, by and by

You may go, you may stay, but she'll come back some sweet day
By and by, sweet mama, by and by

Yes on me, it's poor me, you must have pity on poor me
I ain't got nobody, take pity on poor me

Don't the moon look pretty shinin' down through the tree?
Oh, I can see Bertha Lee, but she can't see me

You may go, you may stay, but she'll come back some sweet day
By and by, sweet mama, oh baby, won't you, by and by

Revenue Man Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in New York, January 31, 1934

Vocalion Records Vo-02931 14747-

Aw, the revenue man is riding, boy, you'd better look out
spoken: Aw, sure, if it ain't Purvis!
Aw, the revenue man is riding, boy, you'd better look out
spoken: Boy, if he hollers at you, you don't stop, boy
If he halts you don't stop, you will likely be knocked out

Well, I don't love salt water, well, she always wants a drink
spoken: Got to have a drink
I don't love salt water, well, she always wants a drink
spoken: Wanna drink? See you with a bottle, though
If they see you with a bottle, they will almost break your neck

Aw, take me home to, Lord, that shining star
spoken: Aw, sure
I said, take me home to that shining star
spoken: She don't need no telephone to get there, aw, sure
She don't need no telling, daddy will take you in his car

Aw, come one mama, let us go to the edge of town
spoken: Aw, sure
Come one mama, let us go to the edge of town
spoken: Baby, I know where Charley's got his other nest built at
I know where there's a bird nest built down on the ground

Aw, I wake up every morning, now, with the jinx all around my bed
spoken: Aw, sure
I wake up every morning with the jinx all around my bed
spoken: You know I have them jinx here now
I have been a good provider, nut I believe I've been misled

Screamin' And Hollerin' Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929

Paramount Records 15214 Pm-12805

Jackson on a high hill, mama, Natchez just below
Jackson on a high hill, mama, Natchez just below [SPOKEN: ???]
I ever get back home, I won't be back no more

Oh, my mama's getting old, her head is turning grey
My mama's getting old, head is turning grey
Don't you know it'll break her heart know I'm living this a-way

I woke up in the morning, jinx all around your bed
And I woke up in the morning, jinx all around your bed [SPOKEN: ???]
Turned my face to the wall and I didn't have a word to say

No use a-hollering, no use screaming and crying
No use a-hollering, no use screaming and crying
For you know you got a home, mama, long as I got mine

Hey, Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul
Hey, Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul [SPOKEN: ???]
I wouldn't mistreat you, baby, for my weight in gold

Oh, I'm going away, baby, don't you want to go
I'm going away, pretty mama, don't you want to go [SPOKEN: ???]
Take God to tell when I'll be back here anymore

Stone Pony Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in New York, January 30, 1934

Vocalion Records Vo-02680 14727-1

I got me a stone pony and I don't ride Shetland no more
I got me a stone pony, don't ride Shetland no more
You can find my stone pony hooked to my rider's door

Vicksburg's my pony, Greenville is my grey mare
Vicksburg's my pony, Greenville is my grey mare
You can find my stone pony down in Lula town somewhere

And I got me a stone pony, don't ride Shetland no more
And I got a stone pony, don't ride Shetland no more
And I can't feel welcome rider nowhere I go

Vicksburg's on a high hill and Natchez just below
Vicksburg's on a high hill, Natchez just below
And I can't feel welcome rider nowhere I go

Well, I didn't come here, steal nobody's brown
I didn't come here, steal nobody's brown
I just stopped by here, well, to keep you from stealing mine

Hello, Central, what's the matter with your line
Hello, Central, matter, now, with your line
Come a storm at night and tore the wire down

Tom Rushen Blues

Charley Patton

Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, June 14, 1929

Paramount Records 15222-A Pm-12877

I lay down last night hoping I would have my peace, peace
I lay down last night hoping I would have my peace, peace
But when I woke up, Tom Rushen was shaking me

When you get in trouble there's no use of screaming and crying, mmm
When you get in trouble there's no use of screaming and crying, mmm
Tom Rushen will take you back to Cleveland a-flying

It was late one night, Holloway was gone to bed, mmm
It was late one night, Holloway was gone to bed, mmm
Mr. Day brought the whiskey taken from under Holloway's head

It take boozy booze, Lord, to carry me through
It take boozy booze, Lord, to carry me through
Thirty days seem like in the jailhouse where there is no booze

I got up this morning, Tom Day was standing around
I got up this morning, Tom Day was standing 'round
If he lose his office now, he's running from town to town

Let me, tell you, folksies, just how he treated me
I'm going to tell you, folksies, just how he treated me
Ah, he brought me here and I was drunk as I could be

When Your Way Gets Dark

Charley Patton

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, c. November, 1929

Paramount Records L-49-1 Pm-12998

When your way gets dark, baby, turn your lights up high
spoken: What's the matter with 'em?
When you see my man, Lordy, he come easing by

I take my baby
spoken: Seven forty-five
I take my baby

Trouble baby trying to blow me down
spoken: Trying to blow me down
It wouldn't hurt so bad, but the news all overt this…

I love my baby and I
spoken: Tell the world I do
What made me love her, you'll come and love her too

Yeah, some day, baby
spoken: Well, and it won't be long
Some day, baby, she calling me, baby, and I'll be gone

I'm going away, baby
spoken: Don't you want to go
I'm going away, baby, don't you want to go