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Ramblin'
Bill
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from Big Bill Vol. 12 (Document BDCD-6047), copyright
notice
Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle
down
I ain't got no home, I'm here all alone
All the clothes I've got, I've got them on
Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle
down
I've been all around from town to town
I've got some good things on my way around
Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle
down
...Rock it, boys!
I'm just like a piano player, carry nothing but my hat
I play women where I find 'em and leave 'em where I played
'em at
Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle
down
Rocks is my pillow, sunshine keeps me warm
Blue sky is my blanket and Mother Nature built my home
Just old Rambling Bill, just old Rambling Bill
Some day I might get married and, baby, I might settle
down
Top
Saturday
Evening Blues
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of July 12-13 1957, Chicago
from House Rent Stomp (Blues Encore CD 52007),
copyright
notice
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It was late, one Saturday evenin',
after the sun went down
Yes, it was late one Saturday evenin',
Lord, after the sun went down
Yeah, I went lookin' for my baby,
Lord, but she was not around
The wind started howlin',
and the rain begin to fall
Yeah, the wind started howlin',
Lord, and the rain begin to fall
Yes, if my baby had-a known how much I loved
her,
she wouldn't never left me alone
Her picture is still on my dresser,
and her gown is on my bed
Yes, her picture is on my dresser,
Lord, and her gown is on my bed
Lord, I'm just sittin' here wonderin' is my baby
livin',
Lord, or is my little baby dead
She left home one Saturday evenin',
after the sun went down
Yes, she left home one Saturday evenin',
Lord, after the sun went down
Lord, I know 's somethin' wrong.
'cause my baby can't be found
Now every Saturday evenin',
after the sun go down
Every Saturday evenin',
I get these blues as blue can be
Lord, we three was so happy,
my wife and my guitar and me
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Top
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by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from Blues Roots Vol. 4, copyright
notice
Some people says the man's made out of mud,
some people says of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bone,
a mind that's week and a back that's strong
You load sixteen tons, so what do you get,
another day older and deeper in debt
So, St. Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go,
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one morning when the sun didn't shine,
picked up my shovel and I went to the mine
I loaded sixteen ton of number nine coal,
the straw-boss said, "God-dog your soul"
You load sixteen tons and, now, what do you get,
another day older and deeper in debt
So, St. Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go,
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one mornin' when it was drizzle in rain,
fightin' and shootin' is my middle name
Born in a canebreak1 by an ol' mama hound,
no high-tone mama can make me walk the line
I load sixteen tons, so what do you get,
another day older and deeper in debt
So, St. Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go,
I owe my soul to the company store
You see me comin' you better step aside,
a lot of men didn't and a whole lot of them died
One fist of iron and one of steal,
the right one don't get you, boy, the left one will
So, load sixteen ton, what do you get,
another day older and deeper in debt
So, St. Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go,
I owe my soul to the company store
__________
Note 1: canebreak, .
Top
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 1957
from Big Bill Broonzy Sings Country Blues (Folkways LP
FS2326 ),
copyright
notice
I wonder why that southbound train don't run
I wonder why that southbound train don't run
Now you don't need no tellin', little girl, you know what
you done
You made me love you, now your man done come
You made me love you, now your man done come
Now you leave me here worryin' baby, and I'm just the lonely
one
Standin' at a station, now, waitin' for a train
Standin' at a station, I'm waitin' on a train
Now, deep down in my poor heart, baby, that a lot, an achin'
pain
Mr. conductor man, please let me ride your train
Mr. conductor man, please let me ride your train
Now if I make it to that lowland, man, I'll be a happy
man
Standin' at a station, tears was in my eye
Standin' at a station, tears was in my eye
Now that I've lost my best friend, how can I be
satisfied?
I hear a whistle, wonderin' where is that train
I hear a whistle, wonderin' where is that train
Now that I've lost my baby, I've got all red brain
Top
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from The Bluesmen, copyright
notice
I wonder why that southbound train don't run
I wonder why that southbound train don't run
Lord, you don't need no tellin', little girl, you know what
you've done
You made me love you, now, your man done come
You made me love you, baby, now, your man done come
Gal, I know you happy, but poor Bill's just a lonely boy
I'm a hard workin' man, I catch the devil everywhere I
go
I'm a hard workin' man, I catch the devil everywhere I
go
Lord, if I can make it to the lowland, I won't have to worry
no more
Standin' at the station, Lord, waitin' for a train
Standin' at the station, Lord, I was just waitin' for a
train
Lord, deep down in my poor heart, baby, that a lie don't
ache in pain
I've got my ticket, Mr. conductor man, can I ride
I've got my ticket, please Mr. conductor man, let me
ride
Lord, if I make it to the lowland, I'll be satisfied
Top
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from Black, Brown And White, copyright
notice
I wonder why that southbound train don't run
I wonder why that southbound train don't run
Little woman, you don't need no tellin',
I declare, you know just what you've done
I've got my ticket, I'm holdin' right here in my hand
I've got my ticket, I'm holdin' right here in my hand
Lord, I've got a real good woman, but the poor gal just
don't understand
I'm a hard workin' man, catch the devil everywhere I go
I'm a hard workin' man, I catch the devil everywhere I
go
Lord, when I get out in the lowland, baby, I won't be
worried no more
I'm on my way to the lowland, Mr. conductor man, can I
ride?
I'm on my way to the lowland, Mr. conductor man, can I
ride?
Lord, I just want to keep on riding, until I get
satisfied
Top
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of January 29 1937, Chicago
from Big Bill's Blues (CBS Realm Jazz Series LP),
copyright
notice
Early early one morning, water was comin' in my
door
Early one morning, water was comin' in my door
It was the old high river, tellin' us to get ready and
go
It was dark and it was rainin', you could hear that howlin'
wind
It was dark and it was rainin', baby you could hear that
howlin' wind
If I get away this time, I will never come here again
Hey my baby was cryin', I didn't have a thing to eat
Hey hey hey, I didn't have a thing to eat
Hey the water had come in, wash everything I had down the
street
I was hollerin' for mercy, and it weren't no boats
around
Hey I was hollerin' for mercy, and it weren't no boats
around
Hey that looks like people, I've gotta stay right here and
drown
Hey my house started shakin', started floatin' on down the
stream
Hey my house started shakin', went on floatin' on down the
stream
It was dark as midnight, people began to holler and
scream
Top
Stuff
They Call Money
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of March 10 1937
from Big Bill Broonzy 1935-41 (Best of Blues BoB-2),
copyright
notice
I got on a streetcar one day, the conductor held out
his hand,
you can't get no free ride here, man don't you
understand
You must have, stuff they call money
You must have, down in your pocket
You must have, the stuff they call money
Don't you can't ride on here
See the girl goin' down the street, she look so nice and
neat,
I looked around at my buddy, he say "You know that can't be
beat"
But you must have, stuff they call money
You must have, down in your pocket
You must have, the stuff they call money
Don't you can't buy it in here
I asked a girl, let's have some fun, this is what she
said,
"If you ain't got no money, you can't get in my bed"
'Cause you must have, stuff they call money
You must have, down in your pocket
You must have, the stuff they call money
Don't you can't buy it in here
I went in a place last night, a man pulled up a gun,
he said "Sit quiet everybody, don't nobody run"
'Cause you must have, stuff they call money
You must have, down in your pocket
You must have, the stuff they call money
Don't you can't stay in here
I went in a place last night, I went there with my
friend,
this is what the people said, "Don't never come back
again"
'Cause you must have, stuff they call money
You must have, down in your pocket
You must have, the stuff they call money
Don't you can't stay in here
Top
Sun
Gonna Shine In My Door
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from , copyright
notice
Just sittin' here hungry, ain't got a dime
looks like my friends would come to see me some time
But it won't matter how it happens,
the sun gonna shine in my door some day
When I was in jail, expectin' a fine,
when I went before that judge, not a friend I could find
But it won't matter how it happens,
the sun gonna shine in my door some day
I lost my father, I lost my brother,
that's why you hear me singin', I'm lonesome and blue
But it won't matter how it happens,
the sun gonna shine in my door someday
Lordy, lordy, lordy, lord, I used to be your reg'lar,
now I got to be your dog
But it won't matter how it happens,
the sun gonna shine in my door some day
I'm in trouble, no one to pay my fine,
when I get out this time, gonna leave this town flyin'
But it won't matter how it happens,
the sun gonna shine in my door some day
I was with my buddy through thick and thin,
my buddy got away, and I got in
But it won't matter how it happens,
the sun gonna shine in my door some day
Top
Sweet
Honey Bee
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from , copyright
notice
I'm goin' all a round the world, I've got to find my
sweet miss Bee
I'm goin' all a round the world, I've got to find my sweet
miss Bee
Now I'm gonna try to find out, oh Lord, what she's got
that's sending me
Tell me, tell me, tell me, people, have you seen my sweet
miss Bee?
I declare she's got them big bow legs, oh Lord, an' she's
all right with me
Gonna build me a home in the mountains, I mean for me and my
sweet miss Bee
Gonna build me a home in the mountains, just for me and my
sweet miss Bee
Oh, there ain't but two of us now, oh, Lord, but soon there
may be three
Can't nobody thrill me, nothin' like my sweet miss Bee
Top
Swing
Low, Sweet Chariot
traditional arranged by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from , copyright
notice
Swing low, sweet chariot,
coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot,
coming for to carry me home
I looked over Jordan, now what did I see you,
coming for to carry me home
A band of angels coming for me,
coming for to carry me home
If you get there before I do,
coming for to carry me home
please, tell them all that I'm-a coming too,
coming for to carry me home
Top
The
Crawdad Song (Version 1)
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from Black, Brown And White, copyright
notice
You'll get a line an' I'll get a pole, now, honey
You'll get a line an' I'll get a pole, babe
You'll get a line an' I'll get a pole,
now, let's go down to that crawdads1 hole
Honey, baby, mine
Yond'r come a man with a sack on his back, now, honey
Yond'r come a man with a sack on his back, oh, babe
Yond'r come a man with a sack on his back,
he's got him all crawdads he can pack
Honey, baby, mine
Man fell down and he broke that sack, honey
Man fell down and he broke that sack, oh, babe
Man fell down and he broke that sack,
you'd better see them crawdads goin' back
Honey, baby, mine
What you gonna do when the pond goes dry, now, honey
What you gonna do when the pond goes dry, oh, babe
What you gonna do when the pond goes dry,
I'm gonna stand on the bank and watch the crawdads die
Honey, baby, mine
Sat on the pond, to my feet got cold, now, honey
Sat on the pond, to my feet got cold, babe
Sat on the pond, to my feet got cold,
I was lookin' right down that crawdads hole
Honey, baby, mine
__________
Note 1: alteration of crawfish, any of numerous freshwater
fish resembling the lobster but usually much smaller, word
used chiefly west of the Appalachians.
Top
The
Crawdad Song (Version 2)
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from Blues Roots Vol. 4, copyright
notice
You'll get a line, this the way the women sang it
You'll get a line, I'll get a pole, honey, and put the
babies to sleep
You'll get a line, I'll get a pole, babe,
You'll get a line, I'll get a pole, and the men came in,
let's go down to that crawdad1 hole
Now, honey, baby, mine
Yond'r come a man with a sack on his back, now, honey
Yond'r come a man with a sack on his back, oh, babe
Yond'r come a man with a sack on his back,
he's got him all crawdads he can pack,
Now, honey, baby, mine
Man fell down and he broke that sack, now, honey
Man fell down and he broke that sack, babe
Man fell down and he broke that sack,
you'd better see them all crawdads crawlin' back
Now, honey, baby, mine
Sat on the pole, my feet got cold, now, honey
Sat on the pole, my feet got cold, babe
Sat on the pole, my feet got cold,
I was lookin' right down that crawdads hole
Honey, baby, mine
What you gonna do when the pond goes dry, now, honey
What you gonna do when the pond goes dry, babe
What you gonna do when the pond goes dry
I'm gonna stand on the bank,
and watch the crawdads die
Honey, baby, mine
I sat on the pole, my feet got cold, now, honey
Sat on the pole, my feet got cold, babe
Sat on the pole, my feet got cold,
lookin' right down that crawdads hole
Now, honey, baby, mine
What did the he duck said to the drake, now, honey
What did the he duck said to the drake, babe
What did the he duck said to the drake,
there ain't no crawdads in this lake
Honey, baby, mine
__________
Note 1: alteration of crawfish, any of numerous freshwater
fish resembling the lobster but usually much smaller, word
used chiefly west of the Appalachians.
Top
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from Blues Roots Vol. 4, copyright
notice
This train don't carry no gamblers, this train
This train don't carry no gamblers, this train
This train don't carry no gamblers,
no whiskey drinkers, and no high flyers
This train carry no gamblers, this train
This train is bound for glory, this train
This train is bound for glory, this train
This train is bound for glory,
don't carry nothing, but the righteous and the holy
This train bound for glory, this train
This train don't carry no liars, this train
This train don't carry no liars, this train
This train don't carry no liars,
no hypocrites and no high flyers
This train don't carry no liars, this train
This train is built for speed, boy, this train
This train is built for speed, now, this train
This train is built for speed,
fastest train you ever did see
Now, this train is built for speed, boy, this train
This train is solid black, oh, this train
This train is solid black, oh, this train
This train is solid black,
when you go there you don't come back
Oh, this train is built for glory, this train
This train don't fit no transportation on this train
This train don't fit no transportation on this train
This train, you know, don't fit no transportation,
no Jim Crow and no discrimination on
This train is bound for glory, this train
This train don't care if you white or black on this
train
This train don't care if you white or black on this
train
This train don't care if you white or black,
everybody's treated just like a man
This train is bound for glory, this train
This train is bound for glory, this train
This train is bound for glory, this train
This train is bound for glory,
don't carry nothing but the righteous an' a holy
This train is bound for glory, this train
This train,
This train,
This train
Top
Trouble
In Mind (Version 1)
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from Black, Brown And White, copyright
notice
Trouble in mind, babe, I'm blue,
but I won't be blue always
Yes, the sun gonna shine,
in my back door someday
I'm goin' down, down to the river,
I'm gonna take my rockin' chair
Lord, if the blues overtake me,
I'm gonna rock on away from here
'Cause I'm trouble in mind, you know that I'm blue,
but I won't be blue always
Yes, the sun gonna shine,
in my back door someday
I'm gonna lay, lay my head,
on some sad, old railroad iron
I'm gonna let that 2:19,
pacify my mind
I'm trouble in mind, baby you know that I'm blue,
but I won't be blue always
Yes, the sun gonna shine,
in my back door someday
Top
Trouble
In Mind (Version 2)
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from, copyright
notice
Trouble in mind, I'm blue,
but won't be blue always
'Cause the sun's gonna shine,
in my back door some day
I'll gonna lay my head,
on a lonesome railroad line,
and let the 2:19 pacify my mind
I'm all alone at midnight,
and my lamp is turning low
Never had so much trouble in my life before
I'll gonna lay my head,
on that lonesome railroad track
But when I hear that whistle, Lord, I'm gonna pull it
back
You've been a hardheaded daddy,
and you sure treat me unkind
I'll be a hardheaded mama, I swear I'll make you lose your
mind
I'm going down to the river,
take along my rocking chair
And if the blues don't leave me, I'll rock on away from
here
Look here, sweet mama,
see what you have done
You made me love you, now your regular man done come
Trouble in mind, I'm blue,
trouble on my worried mind
When you see me laughing, I'm laughing just to keep from
crying
Top
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from, copyright
notice
I don't need no money, I've got lucky oil on my
hands
I don't need no woman's voice, always raisin' sand
When I been drinkin', yes, when I been drinkin'
Now when I come home, baby, please let me lay down and
rest
Lookin' for a woman that ain't never been kissed
We can get along and I won't have to use my fist
When I been drinkin', yes, when I been drinkin'
Now when I come home, baby, please let me lay down and
rest
I want a job to go to work at twelve, get off at one
Have an hour for dinner, boys, and my day's work is done
When I been drinkin', yes, when I been drinkin'
Now when I come home, baby, please let me lay down and
rest
I want to be taken out of bed, put in a rocking chair
Rock me anywhere, baby, Big Bill won't care
When I been drinkin', yes, when I been drinkin'
Now when I come home, baby, please let me lay down and
rest
Top
When
Things Go Wrong (It Hurts Me Too) (Version 1)
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 1957
from Big Bill Broonzy Sings Country Blues (Folkways LP
FS2326),
copyright
notice
I love you, baby,
I ain't gonna lie
Without you, woman,
I just can't be satisfied
'Cause when things go wrong, so wrong with you,
it hurts me too
So, run here, baby,
put your little hands in mine
I've got something to tell you, baby,
I know, that will change your mind
When things go wrong, so wrong with you,
it hurts me too
I want you, baby,
just to understand
I don't want to be your boss, baby,
I just want to be your man
When things go wrong, so wrong. with you,
it hurts me too
Now, when you go home,
you don't get along
Come back to me, baby,
where I live, that's your home
When things go wrong, so wrong with you,
it hurts me too
I love you, baby,
you know it's true
I wouldn't mistreat you, baby,
not for nothing in this world like you
When things go wrong, so wrong with you,
it hurts me too
So, yes, you know, when things go wrong,
it hurts me too
Top
When
Things Go Wrong (Version 2)
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from Blues Roots Vol. 4,
copyright
notice
Just sittin' here waitin', waitin' for a train,
all of my waitin', baby, is all in vain
When thing's goin' wrong,
so wrong with you,
it hurts me, too
Oh, no need to weepin', no need to moan,
you done me wrong, baby, now, today I'm gone
Oh, thing's goin' wrong,
so wrong with you,
it hurts me, too
I've been a-weepin', yes, I moan',
all of my cash, baby, now, today's gone
'Cause thing's goin' wrong,
so wrong with you,
it hurts me, too
Gonna shake your hand, I'm gonna say goodbye,
'cause you don't need me, baby, you got another man my
size
So, thing's goin' wrong,
so wrong with you,
it hurts me, too
I want you, baby, you just want myself,
I get so god-dogged mad, woman, when I think you're lovin'
somebody else
That's why thing's goin' wrong,
so wrong with you,
it hurts me, too
Top
Whiskey
And Good Times Blues
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 1939
from , copyright
notice
I believe, I believe, I believe I'll change my
way
I believe, I believe, I believe I'll change my way
There is three things, cross me down today
There is three things in life just won't let me rest
There is three things in life just won't let me rest
There's whiskey and good time, and a good woman can do the
rest
One drink will make you want more, and more will make your
love come down
Yeah, more'll make your love come down
Boy you should go home 'cause you can't do a thing but
clown
Yeah, look how three things brought me down
Yeah, look how three things brought me down
Now don't fly high, 'cause it hurts when you hit the
ground
I don't wanna be rich, I don't care for fancy clothes
Now I don't wanna be rich, I don't care for fancy
clothes
Yes give me a pretty woman and an automobile, I will be a
happy soul
Top
You
Changed
by Big
Bill Broonzy
recording of 19
from Black, Brown And White, copyright
notice
I got a gal down in Georgia, one in Mississippi,
too
I got a gal down in Georgia, one in Mississippi, too
Lord, I found out what that a little gal in New Orleans can
do
She said her mother was too young, an Indian was her dad
She said her mother was too young, an Indian was her dad
I know she give me a feelin', something that I never had
Since you come from Chicago, baby, you changed your name
Baby, since you come from Chicago, on a clown, you changed
your name
Little girl, you changed your way of walkin', ain't nothing
about you the same
I didn't guess now you're here in Chicago, I know'ed you in
New Orleans
I didn't guess now you're here in Chicago, baby, I know'ed
you in New Orleans
Baby, I know'ed you down there where you were eatin' rise
and beans
Since you come from Chicago, baby, you changed your name
Baby, since you come from Chicago, on a clown, you changed
your name
I found out you can walkin', baby, you just don't walk the
same
I didn't guess now you're here in Chicago, I know'ed you in
New Orleans
I didn't guess now you're here in Chicago, I know'ed you in
New Orleans
Yes, I know'ed you down there where you were eatin' rise and
beans
Top
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