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by Blind Willie Johnson, arranged by
Hans
Theessink
recording of 1998
from Lifeline (Blue Groove BG-9020),
copyright
notice
I’m going to ask the question
Please answer if you can
Is there anybody’s children can tell me
Just what is the soul of a man?
Won’t somebody tell me
Answer if you can
Won’t somebody tell me
Just what is the soul of a man?
I’ve traveled different countries
I traveled to the furthest lands
I found nobody could tell me
Just what about the soul of a man?
I saw a crowd stand talking
I just came up in time
Was teaching the doctors and the lawyers
That a man ain’t nothing but his mind
I read the bible often
I try to read it right
And far as I can understand
Nothing but a burning light
When Christ taught in the temple
The people all stood amazed
Was teaching the doctors and the lawyers
How to raise a man from the grave
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1998
from Lifeline (Blue Groove BG-9020),
copyright
notice
Here comes my baby, dressed in blue
Hey sweet woman I’m crazy ‘bout you
Oh baby, you set my soul on fire
Here comes my baby, dressed in white
Hey sweet woman let me hold you tonight
Oh baby, you set my soul on fire
Find the top of the world girl
Reach out for the stars
On the wings of an eagle
We’ll be flying high, higher ‘n' higher
Here comes my baby, dressed in black
Hey sweet woman let me scratch your back
Oh baby, you set my soul on fire
Here comes my baby, dressed in blue
Hey sweet woman I’m crazy ‘bout you
Oh baby, you set my soul on fire
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1997
from Journey
On (Minor 84172),
copyright
notice
Can't hear no sound, everything seems quiet
Bad moon, fills up the sky
Big black cloud, moving in from the east
Not a ripple on the water
Nothing happening down here
Storm warnin', bad weather on the rise
It's just the silence before the storm
Storm warning
Board up the windows, board up the door
Stay inside, don't go out no more
If I had a knife, I'd cut the tension in the air
Seems like everything is quiet
But something's going down here
Storm warning, bad weather on the rise
It's just the silence before the storm
Storm warning
Nervous dog in a backyard, a stone's throw away
Hear him whine 'n moan, rattlin' his chain
Dog got that instinct, never steers him wrong
Knows there's something gonna happen
Knows there's something going on
Storm warning, bad weather on the rise
It's just the silence before the storm
Storm warning
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1995
from Crazy
Moon (RFR 1016), copyright
notice
Tears are rolling down like showers of rain
Tears are rolling down like showers of rain
Cried so many tears but they just can't ease my pain
It's a lowdown shame baby, way I treated you
It's a lowdown shame baby, way I treated you
Hurt your feelings, broke your heart in two
I'm lonesome for you baby, can't wear you off my mind
I'm lonesome for you baby, can't wear you off my mind
See your face in the mirror, hear your footsteps all the
time
The day you left, blues moved in with me
The day you left, blues moved in with me
Son-of-a-bitch just won't leave me be
Gonna buy me a pistol, dig a hole down in the ground
Gonna buy me a pistol, dig a hole down in the ground
If I can't have you baby, gonna lay my body down
Been crying a river but it won't bring you back to me
Been crying a river but it won't bring you back to me
Drown in the river, let my body float to the sea
Top
as performed by Derroll Adams
recording of 1970
from Next
Morning At Sunrise (Autogram
130), copyright
notice
Well the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
And she wobbles as she flies
But the cuckoo never wobbles
Till the sixth day of July
Jack o'Diamonds, Jack o'Diamonds
Well I know you from old
You've robbed my poor pockets
Of that silver and gold
Well I played cards in England
And I played cards in Spain
But if I's here for to gamble
I would win you next game
Well the cuckoo she's a pretty bird
And she wobbles as she flies
But the cuckoo never wobbles
Till the sixth day of July
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1992 resp. 1993
from Call
Me (Deluge DEL-D-3006) &
Hans
Theessink & Blue Groove, LIVE (Minor
744125), copyright
notice
Hard times behind us
Hard times ahead
It's a miracle we're still living
It's a wonder we ain't dead
I read it in the paper
Heard it on the news
This old world's in trouble
People, we're all chased by the blues
The planet still keeps turning
Draws a circle 'round the sun
Seasons come and seasons go
What's been done
Can't be made undone
Mother earth is bleeding
She got scars upon her face
She gave us what we needed
We left her in disgrace
Tore away her skin
Dug down into her soul
Mister Greed keeps digging
He's digging far too low
The planet still keeps turning
Draws a circle 'round the sun
Seasons come and seasons go
What's been done
Can't be made undone
Fires of hate are burning
They're burning everywhere
Man mistreats his fellow-men
We turn our head, don't seem to care
But one day before long
We got to change our ways
Start living like we're meant to
Rainbow race
The planet still keeps turning
Draws a circle 'round the sun
Seasons come and seasons go
What's been done
Can't be made undone
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1983 resp. 1998
from Titanic
(Extraplatte 26) & Blue
Grooves From Vienna (a 50th birthday celebration),
copyright
notice
That night it all started when the ship began to shake
We were filled with amazement, a little shocked but not
afraid
We didn't really understand what caused the water to come
in
We had been told this mighty ocean-liner "even god himself
couldn't sink"
You took a picture of our child, your hat and your
jewelry
And we put on some warm clothes because we thought it might
be cold at sea
When we left our cabin we noticed how the water started
pouring in
Was it a tear or maybe just a drop of water on your chin
Titanic, Titanic, so proud and so free
Will your grandeur protect us from the cold icy sea
We followed some white arrows with a lifeboat-sign
We had to go onto the first-class deck but no one seemed to
mind
Despite the strange situation we all took it quite with
ease
Only one of the third-class passengers was behaving
foolishly
We talked to a gentleman that we'd met earlier on
He introduced us to his wife, he introduced us to his
son
Then the captain said that the lifeboats could not be
lowered down
I believe it was because some chains of the hoist could not
be found
Titanic, Titanic, so proud and so free
Will your grandeur protect us from the cold icy sea
We were all invited for a free drink at the bar
We drank to the empire and to good health for us all
The ship was leaning to one side, we felt it sinking
quietly
We decided to stay together on board, though many people
jumped into the sea
Then the rats left the ship to try and find dry land
But we stayed close together and held each others hand
It was midnight on the water, we could hear the ocean
roar
In the lifeboats that were lowered down, there was no room
for us anymore
Not a helping hand around in this cold cold night
An iceberg disappearing into the distant morning light
We're watching the last lifeboat as it slowly lowers
down
There's many men, women and children left behind, not a
helping hand around
Not a helping hand around, not a helping hand around
There's many men, women and children left behind, not a
helping hand around
Now the members of the band struck up with "nearer my god to
thee"
Somehow banal but in the vain of our time and century
By now we have lost our last tiny bit of hope
We're all going down while the flag is going up
Instrumental extro: "Nearer My God To Thee"
Top
by Lightnin' Hopkins
recording of 1982
from Hans
Theessink & Gerry Lockran Cushioned For A Soft Ride
Inside (Autogram),
copyright
notice
Baby you've got too many drivers
You ain't got but one wheel
Don't you think it looks funny when two men
're driving your little automobile
I'd rather be rolling down
Rolling down the sandy hill
Than to know you've got so many drivers
Baby, and you ain't got but one wheel
Baby you got to go head on
Sell your little automobile
Whit all them drivers you've got mama
You're lucky if you don't get somebody
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1989 resp. 1998
from Johnny & The Devil & Blue
Grooves From Vienna (a 50th birthday celebration),
copyright
notice
I'm a traveling man and the highway is my home
Here today, tomorrow I'll be gone
From the Mexican line to the windy city
Ain't got much to loose
And all I need is a good old country-blues
Gypsy woman told my mama on the day that I was born
You got a boy child coming, he's gonna be a rolling
stone
Mama locked the windows, barred the door
But friends it was no use
'Cause I was born with the traveling fever blues
I'm a picker and a singer, don't have much company
The breeze in the trees is all I got for harmony
Restless blood runs through my veins
I got fever in my shoes
And all I need is a good old country-blues
Put my thumb in the wind, tryin' to catch a ride
Got a little bit of something, help me make it through the
night
I got no home, no fixed address
But that's the life I choose
And all I need is a good old country-blues
I'm a traveling man and the highway is my home
Here today, tomorrow I'll be gone
From the Mexican line to the windy city
Ain't got much to loose
And all I need is a good old country-blues
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1995
from Crazy
Moon (RFR 1016), copyright
notice
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Gotta take this poor boy back home again
Keep them wheels a-rolling, keep a steady time
Keep them wheels a-rolling, keep a steady time
Keep them wheels a-rolling, keep a steady time
Got to see my honey babe down the line
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Gotta take this poor boy back home again
My baby will be waiting on platform number 10
My baby will be waiting on platform number 10
My baby will be waiting on platform number 10
Just can't wait to hold her in my arms again
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Gotta take this poor boy back home again
Keep the fire burning, make that engine run
Keep the fire burning, make that engine run
Keep the fire burning, make that engine run
My baby's waiting at the rising sun
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Engineer get ready, ride that train
Gotta take this poor boy back home again
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1994
from Hard
Road Blues (Minor 801047),
copyright
notice
The winds on lake Michigan, blow chilly and cold
The winds on lake Michigan, blow chilly and cold
I'm gonna leave Chicago, goin' down to Vicksburg,
Mississippi, that's my home
If I am lucky baby, make my train-fare home
If I am lucky baby and make my train-fare home
I'm gonna leave Chicago, goin' down to Vicksburg,
Mississippi, that's where I belong
T for Texas
T for Tennessee
T for Texas
T for Tennessee
V for Vicksburg
Lord, that's home sweet home to me
The winds on lake Michigan, blow chilly and cold
The winds on lake Michigan, blow chilly and cold
I'm gonna leave Chicago, goin' down to Vicksburg,
Mississippi, that's my home
Top
by Rufus Thomas
recording of 1997
from Journey
On (Minor 84172),
copyright
notice
Baby's back, dressed in black
Silver buttons, all down her back
High, low, tippytoe
She broke the needle and she can't sew
Walking the dog
Walking the dog
And if you don't know how to do it
I will show you how to walk the dog
Asked my mother for 15 cents
See the elephant jump the fence
Jumped so high, he touched the sky
Never came down until the 4th of July
Walking the dog
Walking the dog
And if you don't know how to do it
I will show you how to walk the dog
Baby baby, watch your trail
How does your garden grow
You got silver bells, and you got cockle shells
Pretty maids all in a row
Walking the dog
Walking the dog
And if you don't know how to do it
I will show you how to walk the dog
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1987
from Baby Wants To Boogie, copyright
notice
Been across the country, been a-travellin' 'round
Been in every city, been in every town
Lived the hard life, drinkin' whiskey and wine
If the boogie woogie kills me, Lordie, I don't mind
I don't mind, lord, I don't mind
If the boogie woogie kills me, Lordie, I don't mind
Went to the doctor, doctor told me son
Ain't very wise what you done done
If you don't skip your sporting life
You gonna be a dead man, before you're forty-five
Before you're forty-five, before you're forty-five
You gonna be a dead man before you're forty-five
I tell you good people, 'bout a friend of mine
A picker and a singer, gave us all a good time
One day it hit him, hit him so bad
Nearly killed the best friend, I've ever had
I've ever had, I've ever had
I tell you good people it nearly killed him dead
Been across the country, been a-travellin' 'round
Been in every city, been in every town
Lived the hard life, drinkin' whiskey and wine
If the boogie woogie kills me, Lordie, I don't mind
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1997
from Journey
On (Minor 84172),
copyright
notice
Held a good job in the city
Had a lay-off and they got poor me
I feel so lowdown and disgusted
Just can't find a way to make ends meet
Take my baby by the hand, leave this town
I know we'll make it, baby, longs as you stick around
Go back to the country where the Southern crosses the
Dog1
City folks they drive me crazy
They're a-pushin' and a-shovin' all the time
It's a ratrace for the money
In their eyes you can see that dollar sign
Take my baby by the hand, leave this town
I know we'll make it, baby, longs as you stick around
Go back to the country where the Southern crosses the
Dog
Go back, back to the country
Go back, back to the country
Go back to the country where the Southern crosses the
Dog
We'll get us some wheels
Wave this city bye-bye
All this smog and pollution
You can never see the clear blue sky
Take my baby by the hand, leave this town
I know we'll make it, baby, longs as you stick around
Go back to the country where the Southern crosses the
Dog
__________
Note 1: the junction of the Southern and the Dog (Yazoo
& Mississippi Valley - Y&MV) railroad lines
W.C. Handy the "Father of the Blues" wasn't an ordinary
Delta
bluesman. Handy studied music as a youth, playing the cornet
and traveling the South with dance bands playing minstrel
and tent shows. Later in life he became a songwriter,
bandleader and publisher.
Legend is that while waiting for an overdue train in
Tutwiler, Mississippi, in 1903 that he heard an itinerant
bluesman playing slide guitar and singing about "goin' where
the Southern cross the Dog", referring to the junction of
the Southern and Yazoo & Mississippi Valley railroads
farther south near Moorhead. Handy called it "the weirdest
music I had ever heard".
Top
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Will
The Circle Be Unbroken
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traditional
recording of 1982
from Hans
Theessink & Gerry Lockran Cushioned For A Soft Ride
Inside (Autogram),
copyright
notice
I was standing by my window
On a cold and cloudy day
When I saw that hearse come rollin'
Mama as she went along her way
Will the circle be unbroken
Bye 'n bye, bye 'n bye
There's a better home awaitin'
In the sky, lord, in the sky
Undertaker, undertaker
Can't you drive your hearse on slow
'Cause that body that you're movin'
Lord I hate to see her go
Will the circle be unbroken
Bye 'n bye, bye 'n bye
There's a better home awaitin'
In the sky, lord, in the sky
'Twas my mother they were movin'
Down to that buryin' ground
And my sister and my older brother
Standing cryin' as she hung on down
Will the circle be unbroken
Bye 'n bye, bye 'n bye
There's a better home awaitin'
In the sky, lord, in the sky
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1997
from Journey
On (Minor 84172),
copyright
notice
If I had wings like a turtle dove
I'd fly away to the girl I love
Just to hold her, hold her in my arms again
Fly to her doorstep, knock on her window-pane
Open that window, let me in
Hold her, hold her in my arms again
I will rock you, roll you all night long
We'll be rocking and a-rolling, baby, till the morning
comes
Fly to her doorstep, knock on her window-pane
Open that window, let me in
Hold her, hold her in my arms again
If I had wings like a turtle dove
I'd fly away to the girl I love
Just to hold her, hold her in my arms again
Top
by Hans
Theessink
recording of 1994
from Hard
Road Blues (Minor 801047),
copyright
notice
I like to watch you baby, when you sleep at night
When you wake up in the morning, with your sleepy eyes
I will be your coffee, you can be my cup
If you want me honey, you can sip me up
Oh babe, you make me feel so good
Let me be your sugar, honey, I'm in love with you
If you were the ocean, I would be a boat
Rock on your water, and keep afloat
If you were the earth, I would be a tree
Shoot some roots, and keep you company
Oh babe, you make me feel so good
Let me be your sugar, honey, I'm in love with you
You're the cutest little number in the neighborhood
Hug me, squeeze me, kiss me too
Cuddle up a little closer, baby hold me tight
I never felt so good, I never felt so right
In the daytime you're my sunshine, you're my star at
night
Heat me up, and give me light
Oh babe, you make me feel so good
Let me be your sugar, honey, I'm in love with you
You can be my guitar, I will be your slide
We will make music, till the day we die
Every song in the world, in every key
Make them strings ring, in harmony
Oh babe, you make me feel so good
Let me be your sugar, honey, I'm in love with you
Top
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![[Hans Theessink]](../photographs/hans_theesink.jpg)
