Ain't Gonna Study War
Traditional I ain't gonna study the war no more, ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more, study the war no more I ain't gonna study war no more, ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside Oh, well, it's down by the riverside, I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside To study war no more I ain't gonna study the war no more, ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more, study the war no more I ain't gonna study war no more, ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more I'm gonna try on my long white robe, down by the riverside Lord, down by the riverside, I'm gonna try on my long white robe Down by the riverside, to study war no more I ain't gonna study the war no more, ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more, study the war no more I ain't gonna study war no more, ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more I'm gonna put on my travelin' shoes, down by the riverside Lord, down by the riverside, Lord, down by the riverside I'm gonna put on my travelin' shoes, down by the riverside To study war no more I ain't gonna study the war no more, ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more, study the war no more I ain't gonna study war no more, ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more go to top of page Airplane Blues
Wanna give you my weapon, wanna give you my weapon, gonna ride all over, gonna ride all over your town If I spy the woman I'm lovin', I'm sure gone let my airplane, I'm sure gone let my airplane down Honey, here's my hand, honey, here's my hand, you can lead me where you want, you can lead me where you want me to go If you lead me wrong this time, then you won't lead me, then you won't lead me no more Honey, you three times seven, honey, you three times seven, and you know what you wanna, and you know what you wanna do Well, that day you quit me little woman, and I won't be mad, and I won't be mad with you I know my little woman, I know my little woman, she's bound to jump, she's bound to jump and shout When she gets hold to this letter, I done wrote my long time, I done wrote my long time lost Just the day before Christmas, just the day before Christmas, let me bring your present, let me bring your present tonight That will be you Santa Claus, even if my whiskers, even if my whiskers be white go to top of page All Alone Blues
written by: Sonny TerryI love you baby, tell the world I do, way you treat me baby, comin' home to you Oh, little woman, please don't leave me all alone, well, I'm on my knees 'a beggin', throw this old dog a bone I give you my money, baby, I need shoes on my feet, now, you got me down, you want to throw me in the street Oh, little woman, please don't leave me all alone, well, I'm on my knees 'a beggin', throw this old dog a bone Always told you, baby, time and time again, honey, you know I ain't too innocent, I'd rather be your friend Oh, little woman, please don't leave me all alone, well, I'm on my knees 'a beggin', throw this old dog a bone I give you my money, baby, with all that's true, so, you mistreat me, baby, that the way you want to do go to top of page Baby I Knocked On Your Door
written by: Sonny TerryWell, I knocked on your door last night, baby, yes, and you wouldn't let old Sonny in Well, I knocked on your door last night, little woman, yes, and you would not let old Sonny in Well, you know, I'm goin' back tomorrow night, yes, you know, I'm gonna try my luck again Well, I done told you, little woman, well, you know, I ain't gonna tell you no more Well, I done told you, little woman, well, you know, I ain't gonna tell you no more Well, you know, the good book said you gonna, whoa, reap just what you sow You know, I give you all my money, I can't stand the way you do You know, I give you all my money, I can't stand the way you do Well, you know, you have been a good little girl, whoa, but you just won't be true Well, I'm gonna buy me a pistol, little woman, made up on a .44 frame Well, I'm gonna buy me a pistol, little woman, made up on a .44 frame Well, you can look down in the ground, little woman, whoa, you know, you can see that undertaker man Well, you know, I feel like snappin', baby, yes, my pistol all in your face Well, you know, I feel like snappin', baby, yes, my pistol all in your face Well, you know, some old lonely graveyard, yes, will be your restin' place go to top of page Baby Please Don't Go
My baby please don't go My baby please don't go My baby please don't go back to New Orleans, honey, I love you so Oh, don't you call my name Oh, don't you call my name Oh, don't you call my name you got me way down here, wearin' the balls and chains Baby, please don't go My baby please don't go My baby please don't go My baby please don't go back to New Orleans, old Sonny love you so Yes, your man done gone You know your man done gone You know your man done gone to the kindy home, he got the shackles on, he got the shackles on Oh, baby please don't go Oh, baby please don't go Oh, baby please don't go back to New Orleans, old Sonny love you so I turn your lamp down low I turn your lamp down low I turn your lamp down low Baby please don't go back to New Orleans, honey, I love you so Oh, don't you call my name Don't you call my name Don't you call my name you got me way down here, wearin' the balls and chains Baby please don't go Oh, baby please don't go Oh, baby please don't go Oh, baby please don't go back to New Orleans, honey, I love you so Baby please don't go you know I love you so go to top of page Bad Bad Whiskey
Bad, bad whiskey, made me lose my happy home Now I left home this mornin', I swore I've stopped and think Made my friends a promise, I wouldn't even take a drink Of that bad, bad whiskey Bad, bad whiskey Bad, bad whiskey Made me lose my happy home I stopped into a tavern, say hello to some friends of mine I got to drinkin' good scotch whiskey, and I overstayed my time I'm talkin' 'bout bad, bad whiskey Bad, bad whiskey Bad, bad whiskey Made me lose my happy home Ain't gonna tell nobody, ain't gonna drink no more Woman that I was lovin', throwed me from her door On account of bad, bad whiskey Bad, bad whiskey Bad, bad whiskey Made me lose my happy home Gimme one more drink Gimme one more drink Gimme one more drink And I'll be on my way go to top of page C.C. Rider
Traditional C.C. Rider, see what you done done, Lord, Lord, Lord Made me love you, now your man done come Well, you made me love you, now your man has come C.C. Rider, where did you stay last night, Lord, Lord, Lord Tell me right on where did you stay last night You come home this mornin' the sun was shinin' bright Did you, did you get that letter that I thrown in your backyard? Lord, Lord, Lord Did you get that letter that I thrown in your backyard? Well, it read I would come to see you, but your best man's got me barred Well, I'm goin' away baby, I won't be back till fall, Lord, Lord, Lord I'm goin' away baby, I won't be back till fall Well, if I find me a good girl, I won't be back at all I'm gonna buy me a shotgun, long as I am tall, Lord, Lord, Lord Gonna buy me a shotgun, long as I am tall I ain't gonna shoot you because you don't love me, gonna kill you because you was doin' me wrong go to top of page Cindy Cindy
You ought to see my Cindy, she lives way down South She's so sweet the honeybees swarm around her mouth Get along home Cindy, Cindy get along home Get along home Cindy, Cindy I'll marry you someday First I seen Cindy, she was standin' in the door Her shoes and stockings in her hand and her feet all over the floor She kissed me and she hugged me, she called me a sugarplum She thrown her arms around me and called me a sugarplum I wished I had a nickel, wished I had a dime I give it to my Cindy to love me all the time She took me to her parlor, she called me with her fan She said I was the prettiest thing to dream a mortal man I wished I was an apple, a-hangin' on a tree Ev'rytime that Cindy would pass me by, she take a bite of me Oh, Cindy is a pretty girl, Cindy is a peach She threw her arms around my neck and hung on like a leach go to top of page Cousin John
written by: Sonny TerryLittle cousin John when he crossed that field, Great Big Steak Billy, on that hill He turned around to do his best, fell right back in the hornet's nest Up he jump in the way he ran, couldn't catch the boy in the aeroplane Oh, cousin John, he had no shoes, that's why he had them runnin' blues Little cousin John was goin' to town, ridin' a gray horse and need no hound The ol' hound barked, the ol' horse jumped, the ol' cousin John, he's fell on a stone Oh, cousin John, he promised me, just before he die he make a will for me Lived so long his head got bald, well, he got out the notion of dyin' at all Oh, cousin John fairly well, well, I know something but I ain't gonna tell Well, I know something but I ain't gonna tell, I know something but I ain't gonna tell I know something but I ain't gonna tell, oh, cousin John go to top of page Crawdad Hole
written by: Sonny TerryYou get a line an' I'll get a pole, baby You'll get a line an' I'll get a pole, honey You'll get a line an' I'll get a pole We goin' down the crawdad hole Honey, baby, mine What you gonna do when the pond goes dry, honey What you gonna do when the pond goes dry, baby What you gonna do when the pond goes dry Stand on the bank watch the crawdads die Honey, baby, mine Well, you get a line an' I'll get a pole, baby You get a line an' I'll get a pole, honey You get a line an' I'll get a pole We goin' down the crawdad hole Honey, baby, mine Yonder come a man with a sack on his back, baby Yonder come a man with a sack on his back, honey Yonder come a man with a sack on his back Crawdads crawlin' back to back Honey, baby, mine Well, what you gonna do when the meat gives out, baby What you gonna do when the meat gives out, honey What you gonna do when the meat gives out Stand on the house with your eye more poked out Honey, baby, mine You get a line and I'll get a pole, baby You get a line and I'll get a pole, baby You get a line and I'll get a pole We goin' down the crawdad hole Honey, baby, mine go to top of page Digging My Potatoes
Traditional Oh, you been diggin' my potatoes, crampin' on my farm Oh, you been diggin' my potatoes, crampin' on my farm Well, I have a special plan, restin' on my mind Well, my farm's all green, 'tatoes painted red I didn't find a crew top, caught the fool in my bed You know, he diggin' my potatoes, crampin' on my farm Well, I have a special plan, restin' on my mind Well, I went down town this mornin', left my gate unlatched, When I came back home, that fool in my 'tattoo patch You know, he diggin' my potatoes, crampin' on my farm Well, I have a special plan, restin' on my mind Oh, I tipped up to my window, I wished I had a gun, My farm wrapped around the fool, you know, he was goin' South You know, he diggin' my potatoes, crampin' on my farm Well, I have a special plan, restin' on my mind Well, you know she powdered her face and water-waved her hair Know she caught a taxi, goin' cross town somewhere You know, she diggin' my potatoes, crampin' on my farm Well, I have a special plan, restin' on my mind Restin' on my mind Restin' on my mind Restin' on my mind Restin' on my mind go to top of page Dirty Mistreater
written by: Sonny TerryCame home last night, feelin' sad and blue My baby done gone, I didn't know what to do She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, and she don't mean a man no good Work hard for her, every day She took my money and throwed it away She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, and she don't mean a man no good I cooked her breakfast, carried it to her bed I took my comb and combed her head She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, and she don't mean a man no good Well, I give her my money, bought her fine, nice clothes If I find her, I bust her right in her nose She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, and she don't mean a man no good I done sung this song, I didn't tell no lie The day I found her, that's the day she died She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, don't you know She's a dirty mistreater, and she don't mean a man no good go to top of page Don't Mistreat Me
written by: Brownie McGhee / Sonny TerryDon't mistreat me, mama, when you know you doin' wrong yourself Don't mistreat me, baby, when you know you're doin' wrong yourself Well, you ain't doin' nothin' but drivin' me right to somebody else How can I love you woman, when you always gone You expect for me to do right, when you always doin' wrong Don't mistreat me, mama, when you know you doin' wrong yourself Don't mistreat me, baby, when you know you're doin' wrong yourself Well, you ain't doin' nothin' but drivin' me right to somebody else I asked her where she been, she said, "Sonny that ain't a rule" She looked me dead in my face, "None of your business, fool" Don't mistreat me, mama, when you know you doin' wrong yourself Don't mistreat me, baby, when you know you're doin' wrong yourself Well, you ain't doin' nothin' but drivin' me right to somebody else You know I love you woman, you can bet your life it's true I want you to love me little girl, that all I want from you Don't mistreat me, mama, when you know you doin' wrong yourself Don't mistreat me, baby, when you know you're doin' wrong yourself Well, you ain't doin' nothin' but drivin' me right to somebody else Don't get mad little girl, cause a' the things I'm sayin' to you I want you to realize woman, you know you got some troubles, too Don't mistreat me, mama, when you know you doin' wrong yourself Don't mistreat me, baby, when you know you're doin' wrong yourself Well, you ain't doin' nothin' but drivin' me right to somebody else go to top of page Easy Rider
written by: Traditional Easy rider, see what you done done Easy rider, see what you done done You made me love you and now your man done come Ain't it hey, hey, hey, hey, hey You catch me stealin', please don't tell on me Catch me stealin', please don't tell on me 'Tealin' from my other woman back to my used to be Singin' hey, hey, hey, hey, hey Easy rider, easy rider Easy rider, easy rider Easy rider, yes, easy rider Easy baby, easy woman Easy rider, easy rider Easy rider, easy rider If I was a catfish, swimmin' in the deep blue sea If I was a catfish, oh, swimmin' in the deep blue sea Have all the pretty women out there fishin' for me Singin' hey, hey, hey, hey, hey Easy rider, honey, what did this on your mind Easy rider, what did this on your mind You got me worried and wringin' my ol' hand in crime Ain't it hey, hey, hey, hey, hey Woo go to top of page First Meeting
Tell me how long had it been since you've been home Tell me how long had it been since you've been home You knew you could leave, you could be gone too long, too long from home You know my mama's got a rockin' chair sittin' by the window, rocks in the evenin' 'fore the sun go down Yes, poor old mama's got a rockin' chair sittin' by the window, rocks in the evenin' 'fore the sun go down She'll be thinkin' 'bout her poor childrens, wonderin' why they won't come around Oh, ooooh, yes Mama don't worry, please mama don't worry, mama don't worry, just pray for me I'm gonna try to make lot of happy I'm on pray with you, please my mama pray for me Mama she's still rockin', in that old rockin' chair Yes, she's still rockin', in that old rockin' chair She's thinkin' 'bout her childrens, wonderin' why aren't they over here My sister got worry, she began to pray Oh, yeah, mama know I've been away many day Oh, mama got worry, these the word my mama said Come on home children, my shack fallin' down Come on home, my shack fallin' down You know to send for my poor mama's cover so high Ain't none of her childrens around, but I'm hurryin', I'm goin' home go to top of page Goin' Down Slow
written by: James OdenI have had my fun if I never get well no more I have had my fun if I never get well no more Well, you know my health is failin' me and, you know, I'm goin' down slow Please, write my mother, tell her the shape I'm in Please, write my mother, tell her the shape I'm in Tell her to pray for me just forgiveness for my sins Tell her don't send no doctor, doctor can't do Sonny Terry no good Tell her don't send no doctor, doctor can't do old Sonny no good Well, you know it's all my fault, you know, I didn't do anything that I should Oh, you know, I didn't man On the next train South please look for my clothes on On the next train South please look for my clothes on Well, I say, mother if you don't see my body all you can do is moan Mother please, please, please don't worry, this is all in my prayer Mother please, please, please don't worry, this is all in my prayer Well, you can say your son is gone, yes, out of this world somewhere Bye-bye, mama go to top of page Gonna Lay My Body Down
I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside, Hey, down by the riverside, down by the riverside, I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside, study war no more I ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more Ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more I'm gonna try on my long white robe Down by the riverside Down by the riverside Down by the riverside Gonna try on my long white robe Down by the riverside To study war no more I ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more Ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more Gonna meet my lovin' mother Down by the riverside Down, down by the riverside Down, down by the riverside Gonna meet my lovin' mother Down by the riverside To study war no more I ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more Ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study the war no more Ain't gonna study war no more go to top of page Hole In The Wall
written by: Brownie McGheeHole in the wall Hole in the wall Hole in the wall Hole in the wall where I live Looks bad, oh, that hole in the wall Looks bad, oh, that hole in the wall Looks bad, oh, that hole in the wall Hole in the wall where I live Right below, oh, that hole in the wall Right below, oh, that hole in the wall Right below, oh, that hole in the wall Hole in the wall where I live Who made it, oh, that hole in the wall Who made it, oh, that hole in the wall Tell me who made it, oh, that hole in the wall Hole in the wall where I live I don't like it, oh, that hole in the wall I don't like it, oh, that hole in the wall People, I don't like it, oh, that hole in the wall Hole in the wall where I live I'm gonna seal it, oh, that hole in the wall I'm gonna seal it, I say, oh, that hole in the wall I'm got to seal it, oh, that hole in the wall Hole in the wall where I live 'Cause he made it, oh, that hole in the wall He made it, oh, that hole in the wall He made it, oh, that hole in the wall Hole in the wall where I live Lord, I will seal it, oh, that hole in the wall Lord, I will seal it, oh, that hole in the wall Lord, I'm gonna seal it, oh, that hole in the wall Hole in the wall where I live Hole in the wall, hole in the wall Looks bad, oh, that hole in the wall I don't like it, oh, that hole in the wall Who made it, oh, that hole in the wall I'm gonna seal it, oh, that hole in the wall He made it, oh, that hole in the wall He made it, oh, that hole in the wall I will seal it, oh, that hole in the wall I will seal it, I say, oh, that hole in the wall I will seal it, I know, oh, that hole in the wall Hole in the wall where I... go to top of page I Got My Eyes On You
My baby says she's leavin' me, and I ain't done nothin' wrong My eyes on you baby, you can't do me no harm I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you, woman There ain't nothin' in this world you can do She got up this mornin', whoa, 'bout the break of day Run to the door tryin' to make a getaway I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you, woman There ain't nothin' in this world you can do C'mon in this house little girl, and make yourself at home Know you can't leave me, all alone I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you, woman There ain't nothin' in this world you can do I cooked the little girl breakfast, and I served it in the bed Now, she want to leave, but she heard what I said I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you, woman There ain't nothin' in this world you can do I gived her all my money, and I thought I was doin' right If she tempt that evil again, you know, it's bound to be a fight I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you, woman There ain't nothin' in this world you can do I took the little girl in, people, you know, I treated her just like a queen Now, she want to leave, but it don't mean a thing I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you I got my eyes on you, woman There ain't nothin' in this world you can do go to top of page I'm A Stranger Here
written by: Brownie McGhee / Sonny Terry(Spoken: I'm a stranger, just blowed in your town, so I want my train fare home, so I have no worries on my baby) I'm a stranger here, just blowed in your town Oh, yes, I am, I'm a stranger here, just blowed in your town Well, because I'm a stranger, everybody wants to dog me 'round Well, I wonder why some people treat the strangers so Oh, yes, I do, I wonder why some people treat the strangers so Well, he may be your best friend that you will never know I'm gonna write home to daddy send me my railroad fare Oh, yes, I am, I'm gonna write home to daddy send me my railroad fare Well, if he don't send it, I don't mind walkin' down Go ahead man Well, I wonder if my good girl knows I'm here Oh, yes, I do, Lord, I wonder if my good girl knows I'm here Well, if she do, she just don't seem to care Well, I'm goin' back home wear out 99 pair of shoes Oh, yes, I am, I'm goin' back home wear out 99 pair of shoes Well, when I get back home I won't have these old stranger blues I'm gonna leave this town, nothing here that I can do Oh, no, it ain't, I'm gonna leave this town, nothing here that I can do Well, boy, sit right here in the troubadour, sing these old stranger blues Let's go out together Yes, yes, yes go to top of page I'm Crazy About Pie
written by: Sonny TerryI'm gon' tell ya somethin', baby, an' I tell you no lie I want a li'l of your custy pie You gotta give me sum of it, (custy pie) You gotta give me sum of it, (ain't no lie) Well, I wan' sum of it, honey, 'fore yo' give it all away Well, I don't care if yo' li'le cross the street When you cut yo' pie, please, save me a piece Well, it good fo' a man he was 93, You know darn well it good enough fo' me Well, I don't care if yo' li'le down the line When you cut yo' pie, please, save me mine I done tol' ya, hope you understand Give me my pie in my same ole pan I done tole yo', baby, I ain't gon' tell you no lie I still wan' yo' custy pie Well, I done tole you, baby, hope you un'erstood You got the best pie this neighborhood I done sung this song, I ain't gon' tell yo' no lie I'm still beggin' fo' yo' custy pie You gotta give me sum of it You gotta give me sum of it Well, I want sum of it Before yo' give it all, 'fore yo' give it all 'A 'fore yo' give it all, 'a 'fore yo' give it all away 'Fore yo' give it all away go to top of page Jailhouse Blues
Now, the prison gate have opened, for me at last Be more careful in the future, than I have been in the past Know the life of a racketeer , know the life of a crook Know the life of a no-good woman, like a line from a book Now, jailhouse got me, put down here without a friend Well, now, I'm free at last, won't ever let them take me again Had a girl one time, wouldn't work or steal Broad came right out 'a Mississippi cotton field She wouldn't steal, on the verge of a doubt But she get you busted, wouldn't get you out Now, jailhouse got me, put down here without a friend Well, now, I'm free at last, won't ever let them take me again Come down to your jail, think you all rich Not to go to your bail, see how much time you gone get When the judge sentence you, mighty near a smile Know you'll be gone, for a long, long while Now, jailhouse got me, put down here without a friend Well, now, I'm free at last, won't ever let them take me again After you up the river, 'bout a month or more You receive a letter from that gal you used to know 'Bout three feet wide, nine page long Whole lotta talk 'bout what's goin' on Now, jailhouse got me, put down here without a friend Well, now, I'm free at last, won't ever let them take me again The letter said, "Daddy, things out here have gotten mighty tight Had to rob two guys, before I could eat last night Meant to send you some money, but to my suprise I'd already sealed your letter, and the gum 'a had dried" Now, jailhouse got me, put down here without a friend Well, now, I'm free at last, won't ever let them take me again go to top of page John Henry
Traditional When John Henry was a little baby, sitting on his daddy's knee, Pointed he figured out a little piece of steel, "Steel's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord, steel's gonna be the death of me, Well, now steel's gonna be the death of me, Lord, Lord, steel's gonna be the death of me" John Henry told his captain one day, "A man ain't nothin' but a man, before I will let you steam drill beat me down Would die with this hammer in my hand, Lord, Lord, die with this hammer in my hand I would die with this hammer in my hand, Lord, Lord, die with this hammer in my hand" John Henry had a little woman, her name was Polly Ann, John Henry got sick and had to go to bed You know Polly, she drove steel like a man, Lord, Lord, Polly, she drove steel like a man How she drive? John Henry drivin' on the right hand side Steam drill drivin' on the left, "Before I will let your steam drill beat me down I will drive my poor self to death, Lord, Lord Drive my poor self to death" John Henry drove steel on the Southern He drove steel on the C&O He drove steel for that Big Ben Tunnel Steel drivin' kill John you know Steel drivin' kill John you know Well, now steel drivin' kill John you know, Lord, Lord Steel drivin' kill John you know Some says John Henry was born in Texas Some people thinks he was born in Maine John Henry was born down in Tennessee He was a leader of a steel-driving-gang, Lord, Lord Leader of a steel-driving-gang, Was a leader of a steel-driving-gang, Lord, Lord Leader of a steel-driving-gang Well, the captain loved to see John Henry One of all loved to hear him sing, but most of all that the paymaster loved He just loved to get John Henry's hammer ring He just loved to get John Henry's hammer ring He just loved to get John Henry's hammer ring, Lord, Lord Loved to get John Henry's hammer ring They carried John Henry on the mountain, upon a mountain so high Last words I heard that poor boy say: "Give me a cool drink of water 'fore I die Give me a cool drink of water 'fore I die Give me a cool drink of water 'fore I die" Well, they carried John Henry's body to the White-house, and they laid it in the sand Every time a locomotive follows go rollin' by, they say: "Yonder lays a steel-drivin' man Well, now yonder lays a steel-drivin' man They say yonder lays a steel-drivin' man Yonder lays a steel-drivin' man" go to top of page Just Rode In Your Town
I'm a stranger here, just rode in your town Oh, yes, I am, I'm a stranger here, just rode in your town Well, because I'm a stranger, everybody wants to dog me 'round Well, I wonder why some people treat the strangers so Oh, yes, I do, I wonder why some people treat the strangers so Well, he may be your best friend that you will never know I'm gonna write home to daddy send me my railroad fare Oh, yes, I am, I'm gonna write home to daddy send me my railroad fare Well, if he don't send it, I don't mind walkin' down Well, I wonder if my good girl knows I'm here Oh, yes, I do, lord, I wonder if my good girl knows I'm here Well, if she do, she just don't seem to care Well, I'm goin' back home wear out 99 pair of shoes Oh, yes, I am, I'm goin' back home wear out 99 pair of shoes Well, when I get back home I won't have these old stranger blues I'm gonna leave this town, nothing here that I can do Oh, no, it ain't, I'm gonna leave this town, nothing here that I can do Well, boy, sit right here in the troubadour, sing these old stranger blues go to top of page Keep On Walkin'
written by: Brownie McGhee The bossman was so mean, you know, I worked just like a slave Sixteen long hours drive you in your grave That's why I'm walkin', walkin' my blues away Well, the sun gonna shine, in my backdoor some day You can't plant cotton and expect to gather corn Can't take right peoples, and sure make it wrong That's why I'm walkin', walkin' my blues away Well, the sun gonna shine, in my backdoor some day I once had a car, it was painted white and black Couldn't keep up the payments, the man, he come and took it back That's why I'm walkin', walkin' my blues away Well, the sun gonna shine, in my backdoor some day I wouldn't tell a mule to get up, if he set down in my lap Yes, that's what killed my old grandpap That's why I'm walkin', walkin' my blues away Well, the sun gonna shine, in my backdoor some day I got them old coffee grounds in my coffee, big bo weavils in my fields Tacks in my shoes keep on stickin' me, in my heels That's why I'm walkin', walkin' my blues away Well, the sun gonna shine, in my backdoor some day You used to be my sweet milk, now, you sour on me Since we're not together, you're not sweet like you used to be That's why I'm walkin', walkin' my blues away Well, the sun gonna shine, in my backdoor some day Paper boy hollerin' extree, have you read the news Just shot the woman I love, got that walkin' blues That's why I'm walkin', walkin' my blues away Well, the sun gonna shine, in my backdoor some day go to top of page My Baby Done Chained
My baby done chained, well, she done chained the lock on the door My baby done chained, well, she done chained the lock on the door Well, she said: "That key you got, Sonny, woo-oh, won't fit this old lock no more" I went home last night by half past 10, I tried to get the key in the lock, people, and I couldn't get it in 'Cause the woman done chained, well, she done chained the lock on the door Well, she said: "That little rusty key you got, Sonny, oh, won't fit this old lock no more" I wanna let you all know people, I couldn't get in my house, 'cause I had did wrong or something, you know, she told me I have been wrong, she locked me out Well, I's out, out there in the dark at night, over a friend of mine come up to the door after he says, "Sonny, what you doin' out here man?" I says: "Man, I can't get in my house" He says: "What you mean, you can't get in your own house?" I said: "Man, the old lady chained the lock on the door" He say: "It's too bad for you buddy" I say: "Man, you can't tell me nothin' make me feel good?" He say: "Oh, no, man, I can't tell you nothin' make you feel good, I say, go ahead tell me one them bad on that man" And this what the fool said, he said: "Go around, man, and peep in that window and see who else she got in there" You know I went around there and I did that too I walked around to my window to see her, I could see She hugged and kissed another big ol' man and I know he warn't me 'Cause she done chained, well, she done chained the lock on the door, Well, she said: "That key you got, Terry, whoo-oh, won't fit this ol' lock no more" I'm gonna play it a little now I called the woman up, "Honey, what you want Sonny Terry to bring?" You know, she whispered low and evil: "Don't bring a doggone thing, 'Cause I done chained, oh, I done chained the lock on the door" Well, she said: "That key you got, butthead, oh, won't fit this old lock no more" Yea, yes, yes, "Won't fit this old lock, lock no more" Woo, oh, woo, oh, yeah go to top of page My Baby Leavin'
Well, that train is leavin', and my baby got to go Well, that train is leavin', and my baby got to go Well, her mother is sick, and her daddy's buried low Well, I watched that train, till it went around the bend Well, I watched that train, till it went around the bend Well, I said I would never, see my baby's face again Well, that old dirty fireman, and that old cruel engineer Well, that old dirty fireman, and that old cruel engineer That old dirty conductor, waved that train away from here Every time I hear that whistle, Lord, I just can't keep from cryin' Every time I hear that whistle, Lord, I just can't keep from cryin' Well, that ol' dirty train, got that ol' gal I call mine If I could holler, just 'a like a mountain jack If I could holler, just 'a like a mountain jack I'd go way up on that mountain, call my lovin' baby back Wanna call her back, wanna call her back Wanna call her back, wanna call her back go to top of page Po' Boy
Po' boy, long way from home Woo-ooh, long way from home I ain't got no woman, none to call my own Wanna find me a woman for tomorrow night Woo-ooh, for tomorrow night I'm gonna find me a woman, Brownie, someone to treat me right I don't find me a woman, gotta buy her hand I don't find me a woman, gotta buy her hand She said: "Leave me daddy 'cause I want you from my man" go to top of page Poor Man But A Good Man
I helped you baby, you couldn't help yourself Now, you on your feet, helpin' somebody else I'm a poor man, but a good man, been treated wrong She walked off and left me, she didn't say a word Wasn't nothin' she knowed, but somethin' she heard I'm a poor man, but a good man, been treated wrong If you don't b'lieve me, people, wait a right round and see Somebody gonna mistreat you, like you mistreated me I walked down to the station, I looked up on the wall My money was too light, I didn't go nowhere at all I'm a poor man, but a good man, been treated wrong go to top of page Pretty Little Girl
Met a pretty little girl walkin' down the avenue I met a pretty little girl walkin' down the avenue I said: "Hello, honey, can I, Sonny Terry, go home with you?" She said: "Yes, Sonny, we'll rock the house tonight" She said: "Yes, Sonny, we'll rock the house tonight You gotta give me pretty lovin' everything will be alright" Hooray, hooray, these women is killin' me Hooray, hooray, these women is killin' me If you don't believe me just stop right here and see Well, we sung after midnight and rocked 'till the break of dawn Well, we sung after midnight, rocked 'till the break of dawn Honey, you can't get cold 'cause old Sonny gonna keep you warm A-hooray, hooray, these women is killin' me A-hooray, hooray, these women is killin' me If you don't believe me just stop right here and see Well, you know people we had done danced all night 'till about 5 o'clock in the morning, you know we done rocked all night Good God almighty about it, got 5 o'clock the girl I know that she gettin' a little tired, I think this is what I told her "Honey, it's 5 o'clock now what you wanna do?" "Honey, it's 5 o'clock now what you wanna do?" This what she said, she said: "I don't care if it aches, Sonny, I leave it up to you" It made me feel good, an' this what I told that woman: "I'm gonna lock this door, I'm gonna throw this key away" "I'm gonna lock this door, I'm gonna throw this key away, well, I ain't goin' home I stay right here all day" go to top of page Raise A Ruckus Tonight
written by: Brownie McGhee Come along, little children, come along, while the moon is shinin' bright Get on boy, down the river flow, gonna raise a ruckus tonight Well, this night we're goin' down cross a forty acre field, raise a ruckus tonight Black snake bit me on my heel, raise a ruckus tonight Turned right around to do my best, raise a ruckus tonight Fell right back in a hornet's nest, raise a ruckus tonight My old uncle promised me, raise a ruckus tonight When he died he make a will for me, raise a ruckus tonight Lived so long his head got bald, raise a ruckus tonight Got off the notion of dyin' at all, raise a ruckus tonight Well, me and my buddy goin' to town, raise a ruckus tonight Ridin' a billy goat don't need no hound, raise a ruckus tonight Hound barked the billy goat jumped, raise a ruckus tonight Ooh, my buddy back stretched a stump, raise a ruckus tonight go to top of page Right Now
Right now, right now, now, baby Right now, right now's the time Right now, right now, darlin' I can change my mind Right now, I'm realin' and rockin' I'm spinnin' just like a queen You'd better have me right now I don't know how I'll feel Right now, right now, right now Right now, right now's the time You right now, right now, darlin' I can change my mind Six month, six month same old sentence Twelve month won't be long time To get what you want to me Have to do 1 to 99 Right now, right now, right now Right now, right now's the time Right now, right now, baby Don't you know Brownie can change my mind Right now, my card's on the table I maybe playin' a loosin' hand But I'd rather drink muddy water T' see you with another man Right now, right now, right now Right now, darlin', here's the time Right now, right now Baby, I can change my mind Right now, right now, my cup runs over Well, the whole lotta love for you Right now, if I was in your shoes I'd do anything you want me to Right now, right now, now, baby Right now, right now's the time Right now, you'd better have me 'Cause I can change my mind Right now, let's go out together, right now go to top of page Sittin' On Top Of The World
written by: Chester Burnett a.k.a. Howlin' WolfNo need 'a runnin', holdin' up your hand I can get me a woman, quick as you can a man But now she's gone, and I don't worry, 'cause I'm sittin' on top of the world I'm on top of the world, with my leg hanging down My baby done quit me, gone out 'a this town But now she's gone, and I don't worry, 'cause I'm sittin' on top of the world Work all the summer and all the fall Now, they wanna take my Christmas, and my overalls But now she's gone, and I don't worry, 'cause I'm sittin' on top of the world Bye, bye, baby, honey if you call it gone It may worry me some, baby, but it won't last long But now she's gone, and I don't worry, 'cause I'm sittin' on top of the world go to top of page Sporting Life Blues
written by: Sonny Terry I'm tired of runnin' around, think I will marry and settle down This ole sportin' life, it is a mean life, and it's killin' me I got a letter from my home, all of my schoolmates, they are dead an' gone It'll make you worry, it'll make you wonder 'bout days to come My mother used to talk to me, I was young and foolish, Brownie could not see Now, I have no mother, my sisters and my brothers, they don't care for me Mama used to fall on her knees an' pray, these are the words, mother, she used to say She would say: "Brownie, wha-oh, my son, please change your way" Now, I'm goin' to change my way, I'm growin' older each and every day When I was young and foolish, I was so easy, easy to let ... I was a gambler and a cheater, too, now, it's come my turn to lose This ole sportin' life, got the best hand, what can I do? There ain't but one thing Brownie done wrong, I liv'd that ole sportin' life too long Friends, it's no good, please believe me, please leave it alone go to top of page Sun's Gonna Shine
Trouble in mind, I'm blue, but I won't be blue always Sun's gonna shine in my backdoor someday I'm gonna lay my head, on some cold old railroad iron Let the 2:19 train pacify my mind Trouble in mind, I'm blue, won't be blue always Sun's gonna shine in my backdoor someday. Trouble in mind, trouble in mind, I'm blue, almost lost, lost my mind Sometimes I feel like livin' then again I feel like dyin' Trouble in mind, I'm blue, my poor heart is beatin' slow I never had so much trouble, in my doggone life before I'm goin' down to the river, gonna take me a rockin'-chair If this trouble don't leave me, gonna rock away from here My good girl, she's done quit with me, sure does grieve my mind Sometimes I feel like livin', an' again I feel, feel like cryin' go to top of page Sweet Woman Blues
written by: Sonny Terry I got a sweet woman, she's as sweet as she can be I got a sweet little woman, she's just sweet as she can be Well, she got what it takes and she alright with me I call her my sugar, but sugar never was so sweet I call her my sugar, but sugar never was so sweet Every time I meet the little girl, she knocks old Sonny off his feet Well, she's so sweet and lovin', I'm gonna tell it everywhere Well, she's so sweet and lovin', I'm gonna tell it everywhere Well, she knocks old Sonny out, the way she wears her hair She's so sweet and lovin', I'm gonna tell it all over town She's so sweet and lovin', I'm gonna tell it all over town Well, I wanna let all you men know, she ain't no hand-me-down She's so sweet and lovin', I'm gonna tell it everywhere I go She's so sweet and lovin', I'm gonna tell it everywhere I go Well, if she ever leave me, you know it going to hurt me so I love that little woman go to top of page Take This Hammer
Take this hammer, waoh, carry to the captain, waoh Take this hammer, waoh, carry to the captain, waoh Take this hammer, waoh, carry to the captain, waoh Tell him I'm gone, boy, waoh, you can tell him I'm gone, waoh If he ask you, waoh, was I runnin', waoh If he ask you, waoh, was I runnin', waoh If he ask you, waoh, was I runnin', waoh You can tell him I were flyin', boy, waoh, you can tell him I were flyin', waoh If he ask you, waoh, was I laughin', waoh If he ask you, waoh, was I laughin', waoh If he ask you, waoh, was I laughin', waoh You can tell him I were cryin', boy, waoh, you can tell him I were cryin', waoh Well, I don't want none, waoh, cornbread and molasses, waoh Well, I don't want none, waoh, cornbread and molasses, waoh Well, I don't want none, waoh, cornbread and molasses, waoh It hurt me proud, boy, waoh, it hurt my proud, waoh Well, that old captain, waoh, was a mean old captain, waoh That old captain, waoh, was a mean old captain, waoh That old captain, waoh, was a mean old captain, waoh You can tell him I'm gone, boy, waoh, you can tell him I'm gone, waoh go to top of page Telephone Blues
written by: Sonny Terry Well, my home in Texas, here I am in Tennessee Well, my home in Texas, Lord, here I am in Tennessee Well, you know, I'm so worried and lonesome, because she won't write to me Telephone me, telephone me, sweetheart, telephone me everyday Telephone me, telephone me, sweetheart, telephone me everyday Well, you know, I'm workin' in this town for you lil' woman, a whoa, you know, I'm sendin' you all my pay Well, my home in Texas, Tennessee's no place for me Well, my home in Texas, Tennessee's no place for me Well, you know, I'll soon be with you darlin', a whoa, please, honey, wait and see My telephone won't ring, the mailman won't leave me no mail My telephone won't ring, the mailman won't leave me no mail Well, I say if I catch you cheatin' on me darlin', a whoa, you know, I'm goin' to the county jail go to top of page That Good Old Jelly
Well, look at jelly roll baker, now, let me be your slave Gambler blows his trumpet, I would rise from my grave For some good old jelly, yes, that good old jelly roll Well, it's good for the young, yes, an' it's good for the old Well, she says: "Can I put in an order, three weeks ahead? I'd rather have yo' jelly roll than my home cooked bread 'Cause I love good old jelly, yes, that good old jelly roll" She says: "It does me so much good, well, deep down in my soul" Well, you know a lady walked up and asked me: "Talk me how to bake jelly roll" Said: "Nobody missed just a gift from my soul" Bake good old jelly, yes, that good old jelly roll Well, it's just like Maxwell house coffee, it does me good deep down in my soul Well, you know I was sentenced for murder, murder in the first degree Judge's wife called up, said: "Let that man, Brownie go free 'Cause he's a jelly roll baker, yes, bakes the best jelly roll in town He's the only man that can bake jelly roll, hmmm, with his damper down" Well, now's a soldier in hospital in a war, he was shot all full of holes The nurse walked up and let the man to die, to get some good old jelly roll 'Cause she loves good old jelly, oh, that good old jelly roll She said: "I'd rather let that man lose his life, yes, not to miss my good old jelly roll" go to top of page That's How I Feel
If you ever, ever been down Well, you know just how I feel, oh, Lord, I say you, you know just how I feel Oh, well, I feel just like an angel Ain't got no drivin' wheel, oh, Lord, I say, ain't got no drivin' wheel You don't believe, don't believe I'm sinkin' Look what a hole I'm in, oh, Lord, I say, look what a hole I'm in You don't believe, don't believe I love you Look what a fool I've been, oh, Lord, God knows what a fool I've been That's the way, the way I feel And I can't have a feel that way, oh, Lord, God knows I can't have a feel that way Well, it's your, your time now darlin' It'll be my time some sweet day, oh, Lord, God knows, be my time someday Some people, they think I'm happy But they sure don't know my mind, oh, Lord, God knows it, sure don't know my mind Well, when you see, you see me laughin' Laughin' just to keep from cryin', oh yes, well, I'm laughin' to keep from cryin' Some people, they don't know 'Cause see a smile on my face, oh, Lord, they see a smile on my face Well, it's your, your time now But it's gonna be mine someday, oh yes, well, it's gonna be mine someday go to top of page Trouble In Mind
Trouble in mind, I'm blue But I won't be blue always Sun's gonna shine, in my back door some day I'm gonna lay, my head On some cold rolled railroad iron Let that 2.19 train, passify my mind Trouble in mind, I'm blue But I won't be blue always Sun's gonna shine, in my back door some day Trouble in mind, I'm blue I've almost lost my mind Sometimes I feel like livin', and again I feel like dyin' Trouble in mind, I'm blue My poor heart it's beating slow, I ain't never had so much trouble In my do gone, life before I'm goin' down, to the river Gonna take me a rockin' chair If this trouble don't leave me, gonna rock on away somewhere My good girl, she stuck with me Sure don't leave my mind Sometimes I feel like livin', and again I feel like dyin' go to top of page Walk On
written by: Sonny Terry & Brownie McGheeWalk on, walk on, walk on, I walk on I'm gonna keep on walkin', till I find my way back home Well, you might gets worried, when your shoes get bend You don't know where you goin', but you do know where you been I see so many people happy, I can't get used to happiness Maybe it is true, happiness is not for me, I guess Well, the world is too high, highways are too long No need of us bein' together, we can't get along One more time, now, I'm gonna keep on walkin', till I find my way back home Walk a little further, one more time, now, I'm gonna keep on walkin', till I find my way back home Let's walk together, now, I'm gonna keep on walkin', till I find my way back home Hey, walk on go to top of page Worried Life Blues
written by: Major Merriweather a.k.a. Big MaceoOh, Lordy Lord, oh, Lordy Lord Well, it hurts me so bad, for us to part But someday, babe, I ain't gonna worry my life anymore You are on my mind, baby, everyplace I go How much I love you, nobody know But someday, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life anymore You told me you love me, I thought it was true I mistreated my home, all on account of you But someday, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life anymore No matter how long you gone, baby, no matter how long you stay, Yes, good kind treatment will bring you back someday But someday, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life anymore Now, boy, I'm gonna let you worry me a little bit So, that's my story, all I gotta say to you: "Goodbye baby, I don't care what you do But someday, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life anymore" go to top of page You Hear Me Talkin'
Got a girl in Atlanta, two in Alabama, three in Mississippi, four in Memphis, Tennessee You hear me talkin', you hear me talkin' to you, well, don't let your right hand know what your left hand do Got a girl in Atlanta, two in Alabama, three in Mississippi, four in Memphis, Tennessee You hear me talkin', you hear me talkin', you hear me talkin' to you, you hear me talkin' Well, my hook's in the water, my cock's on top, how can I lose with the help I got One is for the money, two is for the show, three is to get ready, four you can go Well, believe half you see, nothing that you hear, your enemies can't harm you, don't let your friends come near You hear me talkin', you hear me talkin', you hear me talkin' to you, you hear me talkin' Well, I got me three women livin' on the same old road, one does my washing, one my ironing, one pays my room and board You hear me talkin', you hear me talkin', go to top of page All rights to lyrics included on this page belong to the artists and authors of the works |