Ain't No Tellin'
Mississippi John Hurt
Recorded in New York, December 21, 1928
Okeh Records 401471-A OK-8759
Don't you let my good girl catch you here
Don't you let my good girl catch you here
She might shoot you, may cut you and stab you too
'Tain't no telling what she might do
I'm up the country where the cold sleet and snow
I'm up the country where the cold sleet and snow
Ain't no telling how much further I may go
Eat my breakfast here, my dinner in Tennessee
Eat my breakfast here, my dinner in Tennessee
Eat my breakfast here, my dinner in Tennessee
I told you I was coming baby won't you look for me
[SPOKEN: ???]
The way I'm sleeping, my back and shoulders tired
The way I'm sleeping, baby, my back and shoulders tired
The way I'm sleeping, my back and shoulders tired
Going to turn over, try it on this side
Don't you let my good girl catch you here
She might shoot you, may cut you and stab you too
'Tain't no telling what she might do |
Avalon Blues (1928 version)
Mississippi John Hurt
Recorded in New York, December 21, 1928
Okeh Records 401473-B OK-8759
I been in New York this morning just about half past nine
I been in New York this morning just about half past nine
Thought of my mama in Avalon, couldn't hardly keep from crying
Avalon my home town always on my mind
Avalon my home town always on my mind
Pretty mama's in Avalon want me there all the time
When the train left Avalon throwing kisses and waving at me
When the train left Avalon throwing kisses and waving at me
Says, come back daddy stay right here with me
Avalon's a small town have no great big range
Avalon's a small town have no great big range
Pretty mama's in Avalon sure will spend your change
New York's a good town but it's not for mine
New York's a good town but it's not for mine
Going back to Avalon, stay there with pretty mama all the time |
Avalon Blues (version 2)
Mississippi John Hurt
Avalon my home town, always on my mind
Avalon my home town, always on my mind
Pretty mamas in Avalon want me there all the time
Pretty mamas in Avalon want me there all the time
When I left Avalon, throwing kisses and waving at me
When I left Avalon, throwing kisses and waving at me
Says, “Come back, Daddy, and stay right here with me.”
Says, “Come back, Daddy, and stay right here with me.”
Avalon my home town, got no great big rain
Avalon my home town
Avalon my home town, got no great big rain.
Pretty mamas in Avalon sure will spend your change
Pretty mamas in Avalon
Pretty mamas in Avalon sure will spend your change. |
Big Leg Blues
Mississippi John Hurt
Recorded in New York, December 21, 1928
Okeh Records 401474-B OK unissued
Raise up baby, get your big leg off of mine
Raise up baby, get your big leg off of mine
It's so heavy made a good man change his mind
I asked you, baby, come and hold my head
I asked you, baby, come and hold my head
Send me away, said you'd rather see me dead
I'm going, I'm going, crying won't make me stay
I'm going, I'm going, crying won't make me stay
The more you cry, further you drive me away
Some crave high yellow, I like black and brown
Some crave high yellow, I like black and brown
Black won't quit you, brown won't lay you down
It was late at midnight, moon shine bright like day
It was late at midnight, moon shine bright like day
I seen you far going up the right of way |
Blue Harvest Blues
Mississippi John Hurt
Recorded in New York, December 28, 1928
Okeh Records 401487-B OK-8692
Standing on the mountain, far as I can see
Standing on the mountain, just far as I can see
Dark clouds above me, clouds all around poor me
Feeling low and weary, Lord, I've got a trouble in mind
Feeling low and weary, Lord, I've got a trouble in mind
Everything that gets me, everybody's so unkind
Harvest time's coming and will catch me unprepared
Harvest time's coming and will catch me unprepared
Haven't made a dollar, bad luck is all I've had
Lord, how can I bear it, Lord, what will the harvest bring
Lord, how can I bear it, Lord, what will the harvest bring
Putting up all my money and I isn't got a doggone thing
I'm a weary traveler roaming around from place to place
I'm a weary traveler roaming around from place to place
If I don't find something this will end me in disgrace
Ain't got no mother, father left me long ago
Ain't got no mother, father left me long ago
I'm just like a orphan, where my folks is I don't know
Blues around my shoulder, blues all around my head
Blues around my shoulder, blues all around my head
With my heavy burden, Lord, I wished I was dead |
Candy Man
Mississippi John Hurt
Well, all you ladies, gather round
Good sweet candyman’s in town
It’s the candyman.
He’s got stick candy that’s nine inches long
He sells as fast, a hog can chew his corn
It’s the candyman
It’s the candyman.
Well, you all heard what Sister Jones said
She always take the candy stick to bed
It’s the candyman.
Well, you and the candyman, you’re getting mighty slick
Umm hmm, umm hmm
You must be stuck on the candyman’s stick
Umm hmm, umm hmm
Well, all you ladies, gather round
The good sweet candyman’s in town
It’s the candyman
It’s the candyman.
Hey, his stick candy don’t melt away
It just gets better so the ladies say
It’s the candyman.
You and the candyman are getting mighty slick
Umm hmm, umm hmm
You must be stuck on the candyman’s stick
Umm hmm, umm hmm |
Candy Man Blues
Mississippi John Hurt
Recorded in New York, December 28, 1928
Okeh Records 401483-B OK-8654
Want all you ladies all gather around
That good sweet candy man's in town
It's the candy man, it's the candy man
He got a stick of candy just nine inch long
He sells as fast a hog can chew his corn
It's the candy man, it's the candy man
All heard what sister Johnson said
She always takes a candy stick to bed
It's the candy man, it's the candy man
Don't stand close to the candy man
He'll leave a big candy stick in your hand
It's the candy man, it's the candy man
He sold some candy to sister bad
The very next day she took all he had
It's the candy man, it's the candy man
If you try his candy good friend of mine
You sure will want it for a long, long time
It's the candy man, it's the candy man
His stick candy don't melt away
It just gets better, so the ladies say
It's the candy man, it's the candy man |
Frankie
Mississippi John Hurt
Frankie was a good girl, everybody knows
She paid one hundred dollars, for Albert, a suit of clothes
He’s her man, but he did her wrong.
Frankie went down to the corner saloon, she ordered a glass of beer
She asked the barroom keeper, “Have my loving Albert been here?”
“He’s been here, but he’s gone again.”
“Ain’t gonna tell you no story, Frankie, I ain’t gonna tell you no lie”
Says, “Albert passed ’bout an hour ago with a girl they call Alice Prye
He’s your man, and he’s doing you wrong.”
Frankie went down to the corner saloon, didn’t go to be gone long
She peeped through the keyhole in the door, spied Albert in Alice’s arms
“You’s my man, and you doing me wrong.”
Frankie called to Albert, Albert says “I don’t hear.”
“If you don’t come to the woman you love gonna haul you out of here
You’s my man, and you’s doing me wrong.”
Frankie shot Albert, shot him three or four times
Says, “Stand back, out the smoke of my gun, let me see is Albert dying?
He’s my man, but he did me wrong.”
Frankie and the judge walked out on the stand, walked out side by side
The judge says to Frankie, “You’re gonna be justified for
Killing a man, and he did you wrong.”
Dark was the night, cold was the ground
The last words I heard Frankie say, “I done laid old Albert down
He’s my man, and he did me wrong.”
Frankie was a good girl, everybody knows
She paid one hundred dollars, for Albert, a suit of clothes
He’s her man, but he did her wrong. |
Got The Blues Just Can't Be Satisfied
Mississippi John Hurt
Recorded in New York, December 28, 1928
Okeh Records 401484-B OK-8724
Got the blues, can't be satisfied
Got the blues, can't be satisfied
Keep the blues, I'll catch that train and ride
Whiskey straight will drive the blues away
Whiskey straight will drive the blues away
That be the case I want a quart today
Bought my gal a great big diamond ring
Bought my gal a great big diamond ring
Come right back home and caught her shaking that thing
I said, baby what makes you act this a-way
I said, baby why did you act this a-way
Said, I won't miss a thing she gives away
Took my gun and I broke the barrel down
Took my gun and I broke the barrel down
Put my baby six feet under the ground
I cut that joker so long deep and wide
Cut that joker so long deep and wide
You got the blues and still ain't satisfied |
If You Don't Want Me
Mississippi John Hurt
If you don't want me, baby, got to have me anyhow
If you don't want me, baby, got to have me anyhow
It was late last night when everything was still
Well, me and your baby eased out on the hill
I tried my best to do my father's will
I tried my best to do my father's will
Don't want me, baby, got to have me anyhow
Don't want me, baby, got to have me anyhow
The sun go down, ain't this a lonesome place?
The sun goin' down and ain't this a lonesome place?
So lonesome here, can't see in my baby's face
It's so lonesome here, I can't see in my baby's face
You don't want me, baby, got to have me anyhow
Don't want me, baby, got to have me anyhow |
Louis Collins
Mississippi John Hurt
Collins weeped, Miz Collins moaned
To see her son, Louis, leave her home
Angels laid him away.
Angels laid him away
They laid him six feet under the clay
The angels laid him away.
Bob shot once and Louis shot two
Shot poor Collins, shot him through and through
The angels laid him away.
Angels laid him away
They laid him six feet under the clay
The angels laid him away.
Kind friends, oh, ain’t it hard
To see poor Louis in a new graveyard?
The angels laid him away. |
Monday Morning Blues
Mississippi John Hurt
I woke up this morning
I woke up this morning
Woke up this morning with the Monday Morning Blues.
I couldn’t hardly find
I couldn’t hardly find
I couldn’t hardly find my Monday Morning shoes.
Monday Morning Blues
Monday Morning Blues
Monday Morning Blues searched all through my bones.
Monday Morning Blues
Monday Morning Blues
Monday Morning Blues made me leave my home.
Monday Morning Blues
Monday Morning Blues made me leave my home.
I been laying in jail
I been laying in jail
I’ve been laying in jail six long weeks today.
In the morrow morning
In the morrow morning
In the morrow morning gonna be my trial day.
Asked the judge
Asked the judge
Asked the judge, “What might be my fine?”
“Get a pick and shovel”
“Get a pick and shovel”
“Get a pick and shovel, let’s go down in the mine”
That’s the only time
That’s the only time
That’s the only time I ever felt like crying
Lord, my heart struck sorrow
Lord, my heart struck sorrow
Lord, my heart struck sorrow and the tears come rolling down.
“Mister, change a dollar”
“Mister, change a dollar”
“Won’t you change a dollar and give me a lucky dime?”
Monday Morning Blues
I woke up this morning
Woke up this morning with the Monday Morning Blues. |
My Creole Belle
Mississippi John Hurt
My Creole Belle, I love her well
My darling baby, my Creole Belle
My Creole Belle, I love her well
My darling baby, my Creole Belle.
When the stars shine, I’ll call her mine
My darling baby, my Creole Belle
My Creole Belle, I love her well
My darling baby, my Creole Belle.
My Creole Belle, I love her well
My darling baby, my Creole Belle
When the stars shine, I’ll call her mine
My darling baby, my Creole Belle. |
Nobody's Dirty Business
Mississippi John Hurt
Recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, February 14, 1928
Okeh Records 400223-B OK-8560
Ain't nobody's dirty business how my baby's treatin' me
Nobody's business but mine
Ain't nobody's doggone business how my baby's treatin' me
Nobody's business but my own
Some of these mornings going to wake up crazy
Going to grab me a gun kill my baby
Nobody's business but mine
Ain't nobody's doggone business how my baby's treatin' me
Nobody's business but my own
Some of these mornings going to wake up boozy
Going to grab my gun, going to kill old Suzie
Nobody's business but mine
Going back to Pensicola
Nobody's business but my own
Say babe did you get that letter
Would you take me back, I'll treat you better
Nobody's business but mine
Ain't nobody's doggone business how my baby's treatin' me
Nobody's business but my own
Ain't nobody's dirty business how my baby's treatin' me
Nobody's business but my own
Some of these mornings going to wake up crazy
Going to grab me a gun kill my baby
Nobody's business but mine
Ain't nobody's doggone business how my baby's treatin' me
Nobody's business but my own
Ain't nobody's dirty business how my baby's treatin' me
Nobody's business but my own |
Pay Day
Mississippi John Hurt
I done all I could do and I can’t get along with you
I’m gonna take you to your Mama, pay day
Pay day, pay day
I’m gonna take you to your Mama, pay day.
Just about a week ago, I stole me a ham of meat
I’m gonna keep my skillet greasy if I can
If I can, if I can.
Well, the rabbit in the log, I ain’t got no rabbit dog
Lord, I hate to see that rabbit get away
Get away, get away
Lord, I hate to see that rabbit get away.
Well, I’ve did all I can do and I can’t get along with you
I’m gonna take you to your Mama, pay day
Pay day, pay day.
Well, I’ve did all I can do and I can’t get along with you
I’m gonna take you to your Mama, pay day
Pay day, pay day. |
Richland Woman Blues
Mississippi John Hurt
Give me red lipstick and a bright poppy rouge
A shingle-bob haircut and a shot of good booze.
Hurry down, sweet daddy, come blowing your horn
If you come too late, sweet mama will be gone.
Stop at the fashion shop, get the one looks best
Your own sweet mama wants a brand new dress.
Hurry down, sweet daddy, come blowing your horn
If you come too late, sweet mama will be gone.
Red rooster says…
[guitar finishes verse and chorus]
Red rooster says, “Cock-a-doodle-doo-doo”
The Richland woman says, “Any dude will do.”
Hurry down, sweet daddy, come blowing your horn
If you come too late, sweet mama will be gone.
Stop at the fashion shop, get the one looks best
Your own sweet mama wants a brand new dress.
Hurry down, sweet daddy, come blowing your horn
If you come too late, sweet mama will be gone.
Dress skirt cut high, then they cut low
Don’t think I’m a sport? Keep on watching me go!
Hurry down, sweet daddy, come blowing your horn
If you come too late, sweet mama will be gone.
Every Sunday morning, church, watch me go
My wings are sprouted out, the preacher told me so.
Hurry down, sweet daddy, come blowing your horn
If you come too late, sweet mama will be gone.
“Come along, young man, everything’s sitting right
My husband’s going away ’til next Saturday night.”
Hurry down, sweet daddy, come blowing your horn
If you come too late, sweet mama will be gone. |
See See Rider
Mississippi John Hurt
You See See Rider, you see what you have done
You done made me love you…
Made me love you, now your man done come
You made me love you, now your man done come.
If I had a-listened to my second mind, Lord,
I wouldn’t been sitting here, wringing my hands and crying
I wouldn’t have been sitting here, wringing my hands and crying
I wouldn’t have been sitting here, wringing my hands and crying.
You See See Rider, you see what you have done
You done made me love you…
Made me love you, now your man done come
You made me love you, now your man done come.
It ain’t no more potatoes, frost have killed the vine
The Blues ain’t nothing, good woman on your mind
The Blues ain’t nothing but a good woman on your mind
The Blues ain’t nothing but a good woman on your mind.
I’ve told you, baby, and your mama told you too
You’s three times seven and you know what you want to do
Three times seven and you know what you want to do
You’s three times seven and you know what you want to do.
You See See Rider, you see what you have done
You done made me love you…
Made me love you, now your man done come
You made me love you, now your man done come. |
Slidin' Delta
Mississippi John Hurt
The Slidin’ Delta run right by my door
The Slidin’ Delta run right by my door
The Slidin’ Delta run right by my door
The Slidin’ Delta run right by my door
The Slidin’ Delta run right by my door
Leaving here, sweet baby, honey don’t you want to go?
Leaving here, sweet baby, honey don’t you want to go?
I’m going up the country and I ain’t coming back no more.
I’m going up the country and I ain’t coming back no more
My suitcase is packed, my trunk’s already gone
My suitcase is packed…
My suitcase is packed, my trunk’s already gone
Oh, tell me baby, what in the world you waiting on.
The Big Kate Allen got ways just like a man
It will steal your baby every time she lands.
It’ll steal your baby every time she lands
Steal your baby every time she lands.
The Slidin’ Delta run right by my door
The Slidin’ Delta run right by my door
Leaving here, sweet baby, honey don’t you want to go?
Leaving here, sweet baby, honey don’t you want to go?
My suitcase is packed and my trunk’s already gone
I can’t see, baby, what in the world you’re waiting on.
The Slidin’ Delta run right by my door
I’m leaving here, baby, honey don’t you want to go?
Leaving here, sweet baby, honey don’t you want to go?
I’m going up the country and I ain’t coming back no more. |
Spike Driver Blues (version 1)
Mississippi John Hurt
John Henry was a steel drivin' man,
Oh, he went down, yes, he went down.
John Henry, he had a little wife,
Name was Polly Anne, name was Polly Anne.
John Henry took sick in the bed,
She drove steel like a man, drove steel like a man.
I walked here all the way from east Colorado,
Baby, that's my home, honey, that's my home.
You can take this hammer and carry it to my captain,
Oh, tell him I'm gone, won't you tell him I'm gone?
John Henry, he left his hammer
Layin' 'side the road, layin' 'side the road.
John Henry, he left his hammer,
All painted in red, all painted in red.
You just take this hammer and carry it to my captain,
Oh, tell him I'm gone, Won't you tell him I'm gone? |
Spike Driver Blues (version 2)
Mississippi John Hurt
John Henry was a steel-driving man
Yes, he went down
Well, he went down.
You just take this hammer and carry it to my captain
Oh, tell him I’m gone
Won’t you tell him I’m gone.
John Henry, he left his hammer
Layin ’side the road
Layin ’side the road.
John Henry, he left his hammer
All painted in red
All painted in red.
You just take this hammer and carry it to my captain
Yes, tell him I’m gone
Won’t you tell him I’m gone.
This is the hammer that killed John Henry
But it won’t kill me
No, it won’t kill me.
I walked all the way from East Colorado
Honey, that’s my home
Well, that’s my home
That’s why I’m gone.
You just take this hammer and carry it to my captain
Oh, tell him I’m gone
Won’t you tell him I’m gone. |
Worried Blues
Mississippi John Hurt
Don’t your home look lonesome when your baby pack up and leave?
Home look so lonesome
Don’t your home look lonesome when your baby pack up and leave?
Home look so lonesome when your baby pack up and leave
Home look lonesome
Home look so lonesome when your baby pack up and leave.
Don’t the sun look lonesome shining down through the trees?
Don’t the sun look lonesome?
Sun look so lonesome shining down through the trees.
Oh, tell me, baby, what’s the matter now?
I want to know
Oh, Lordy, baby, tell me what’s the matter now?
Is you gonna quit your daddy anyhow?
Is you gonna quit your…
Is you gonna quit your daddy anyhow?
Baby, that’s all right, that’s all right for you
Baby, that’s all right
Baby, that’s all right, honey, that’s all right for you.
Well, you know I love you any way you do
You know I love you
You know I love you any old way you do.
I want to know what’s the matter, something going on wrong
Tell me what’s the matter, baby
Went away last night and you stayed out all night long.
Honey, that’s all right, that’s all right for you
Baby, that’s all right
I love you, baby, any old way you do.
Well the sun going down, ain’t this a lonesome place?
Sun going down
Sun going down, ain’t this a lonesome place?
I feel so lonely, can’t see my baby’s face
[guitar]
So lonesome here, I can’t see my baby’s face.
Well, Lordy, baby, please don’t put me down
Please
You are the sweetest girl in town.
Don’t your home look lonesome when your baby pack up and leave?
Home look so lonesome
Home look lonesome when your baby pack up and leave. |
You Got To Walk That Lonesome Valley
Mississippi John Hurt
You got to walk that lonesome valley
Well, you got to walk it for yourself
Ain’t nobody else can walk it for you
You got to walk that valley for yourself.
My mother had to walk that lonesome valley
Well, she had to walk it for herself
It’s nobody else could walk it for her
Yes, she had to walk that valley for herself.
Oh yes, you got to walk that lonesome valley
Well, you got to walk it for yourself
It’s nobody else can walk it for you
You got to walk that valley for yourself.
My father had to walk that lonesome valley
He had to walk it for hisself
It’s nobody else could walk it for him
He had to walk that valley for hisself.
Oh, Jesus had to walk that lonesome valley
He had to walk it for hisself
It’s nobody else could walk it for him
He had to walk that valley for hisself.
Oh yes, you got to walk that lonesome valley
Well, you got to walk it for yourself
It’s nobody else can walk it for you
You got to walk that valley for yourself. |
|
|