Spike Driver Blues - Mississippi John Hurt

Artist: Mississippi John Hurt
Album: 1928 Sessions
Label: Yazoo
Year: 1988
Song Title: Spike Driver Blues
Duration: 03:14
Track #: 06


Spike Driver Blues

Take this hammer and carry it to captain, tell him I'm gone, tell him I'm gone, tell him I'm gone,
Take this hammer and carry it to my captain, tell him I'm gone, just tell him I'm gone, I'm sure is gone,
This is the hammer that killed John Henry, but it won't kill me, but it won't kill me, but it won't kill me,
This is the hammer that killed John Henry, but it won't kill me, but it won't kill me, ain't gonna kill me,
It's a long ways from East Colarado, honey to my home, honey to my home, honey to my home,
It's a long ways to East Colarado, honey to my home, honey to my home, that's where I'm going,
John Henry he left his hammer, layin' side the road, layin' side the road, layin' side the road,
John Henry he left his hammer, all over in red, all over in red, thats why I'm gone,
John Henry was a steel driving boy, but he went down, but he went down, but he went down,
John Henry was a steel driving boy, but he went down, but he went down, that's why I'm gone.

Praying On The Old Camp Ground - Mississippi John Hurt

Artist: Mississippi John Hurt
Album: 1928 Sessions
Label: Yazoo
Year: 1988
Song Title: Praying On The Old Camp Ground
Duration: 02:36
Track #: 05


Praying On The Old Camp Ground

There is preaching tonight, preaching tonight,
Preaching on the old camp grounds,
There is preaching tonight, preaching tonight,
There is preaching on the old camp grounds.

There is singing tonight, singing tonight,
Singing on the old camp grounds,
There is singing tonight, singing tonight,
There is singing on the old camp grounds.

There is moaning tonight, moaning tonight,
Moaning on the old camp grounds,
There is moaning tonight, moaning tonight,
There is moaning on the old camp grounds.

(guitar solo)

There is praying tonight, praying tonight,
Praying on the old camp grounds,
There is praying tonight, praying tonight,
There is praying on the old camp grounds.

Hmmm…

Louis Collins - Mississippi John Hurt

Artist: Mississippi John Hurt
Album: 1928 Sessions
Label: Yazoo
Year: 1988
Song Title: Louis Collins
Duration: 02:58
Track #: 04


Louis Collins

Mrs. Collins weeped, Mrs. Collins moaned,
To see her son Louis leave his home,
The angels laid him away.

The angels laid him away,
They laid him six feet under the clay,
The angels laid him away.

Oh, kind friends, oh, ain't it hard
To see poor Louis in a new graveyard?
The angels laid him away.

Oh, Bob shot once and Louis shot too,
Shot poor Collins, shot him through and through,
The angels laid him away.

The angels laid him away,
They laid him six feet under the clay,
The angels laid him away.

Mrs. Collins weeped, Mrs. Collins moaned,
To see her son Louis leave his home,
The angels laid him away.

Angels laid him away,
They laid him six feet under the clay,
The angels laid him away.

When they heard that Louis was dead,
All the people they dressed in red,
The angels laid him away

Angels laid him away,
They laid him six feet under the clay,
The angels laid him away.

Nobody's Dirty Business - Mississippi John Hurt

Artist: Mississippi John Hurt
Album: 1928 Sessions
Label: Yazoo
Year: 1988
Song Title: Nobody's Dirty Business
Duration: 02:53
Track #: 03


Nobody's Dirty Business

Ain't nobody's dirty business how my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but mine,
Ain't nobody's doggone business how my baby treat me
Nobody's business but my own.

Some of this mornings gonna wake up crazy
Gonna grab my gun, kill my baby
Nobody's business but mine,
Ain't nobody's doggone business how my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Some of this mornings gonna wake up boozy
Gonna grab my gun, gonna kill all Suzie
Nobody's business but mine,
Going back to Pensacola, gonna buy my baby a money moulder
Nobody's business but my own.

Say, baby, did you get that letter?
"If you take me back, I'll treat you better"
Nobody's business but mine,
Ain't nobody's doggone business how my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Ain't nobody's dirty business how my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Some of this mornings gonna wake up crazy
Gonna grab my gun, gonna kill my baby
Nobody's business but mine,
Ain't nobody's doggone business how my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Nobody's dirty business how my baby treat me,
Nobody's business but my own.

Blessed Be The Name - Mississippi John Hurt

Artist: Mississippi John Hurt
Album: 1928 Sessions
Label: Yazoo
Year: 1988
Song Title: Blessed Be The Name
Duration: 02:46
Track #: 02


Blessed Be The Name

If you don't like your sister, don't you carry her name abroad
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Yes, take her in your bosom and carry her home to God
Oh, blessed be the name of the Lord.

Oh, blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Oh, blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Oh, blessed be the name of the Lord.

If you don't like your brother, don't you carry the name abroad
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Just take him in your bosom and carry him home to God
Oh, blessed be the name of the Lord.

Oh, blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Oh, blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Oh, blessed be the name of the Lord.

If you don't like your preacher, don't you carry his name abroad
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Just take him in your bosom and carry him home to God
Oh, blessed be the name of the Lord.

Oh, blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Oh, blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Oh, blessed be the name of the Lord.

If you don't like your deacon, don't you carry his name abroad
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Just take him in your bosom and carry him home to God
Oh, blessed be the name of the Lord.

Candy Man Blues - Mississippi John Hurt

Artist: Mississippi John Hurt
Album: 1928 Sessions
Label: Yazoo
Year: 1988
Song Title: Candy Man Blues
Duration: 02:45
Track #: 01


Candy Man Blues

Well all you ladies gather 'round,
That good sweet candy man's in town,
It's the candy man,
It's the candy man.

He likes 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.

(guitar solo)

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,
Sweet 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.

Blues For Mama - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: Blues For Mama
Duration: 03:56
Track #: 11


Blues For Mama

Hey Lordy mama
I heard you wasn't feeling' good,
They're spreadin' dirty rumors
All around the neighborhood.

They say you're mean and evil
And don't know what to do,
That's the reason that he's gone
And left you black and blue.
Hey, yeah, tell me what you gonna do now.

They say he's left you all alone
To weather this old storm,
He's got another woman now
Hangin' on his arm, yeah, yeah, yeah.

That old fool's tellin' everybody
He's sick and tired of you,
Hey Lordy Lordy mama
What you gonna do
Hey, yeah, tell me what you gonna do.

They say you love to fuss and fight
And bring a good man down,
And don't know how to treat him
When he takes ya' on the town.

They say you ain't behind him
And just don't understand,
And think that you're a woman
But actin' like a man
Hey, Lordy mama, what you gonna do now?

Get your nerves together, baby
And set the record straight, set it straight,
Let the whole round world know
It wasn't you that cause his bitter fate.

All these years you loved him
And he knows it's true,
'Cause what you're wantin' for your man
Is what he's wantin', too
Hey, yeah, tell me what you gonna do now.

When you love a man enough
You're bound to disagree,
'Cause ain't nobody perfect
'Cause ain't nobody free
Hey, Lordy mama, tell me what you gonna do
What you gonna do.

The House Of The Rising Sun - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: The House Of The Rising Sun
Duration: 03:51
Track #: 10


The House Of The Rising Sun

There is a house in New Orleans
They call it the Rising Sun
And it's been the ruin of many a poor girl
And me, oh Lord, I'm one.

If I had only listened of what my mama said
Be at home today
Bein' so young and foolish, my Lord
Let a gambler lead me astray.

My mother is a tailor
She sews those new blue jeans
Sweetheart is a drunkard, Lord
Drinks down in New Orleans.

Somebody go get my baby sister
Tell her to do, not to do what I have done
Shun that house in New Orleans
They call it the Rising Sun.

Goin' back to New Orleans
My race is almost run
Goin' back to spend my life
Beneath, beneath, beneath, oh Lord, beneath the rising sun.

Since I Fell For You - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: Since I Fell For You
Duration: 02:50
Track #: 09


Since I Fell For You

You made me leave my happy home,
You took my love and now you're gone,
Since I fell for you.

Love brings such misery and pain,
I guess I'll never be the same,
Since I fell for you.

It's too bad,
It's too sad,
I'm in love with you,
You love me, then you snub me,
But what can I do?
I'm still in love with you.

I guess I'll never see the light,
I get the blues most every night,
Since I fell for you,
Since I fell for you.

Buck - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: Buck
Duration: 01:51
Track #: 08


Buck

Buck
You're a whole lot a man
Just take a look
At your great big hands
You know you can crush
Poor me in two
But gentle, oh so gentle
Are the things you do.

I say I never have to worry
'Bout you goin' out
There ain't no other woman
Ain't no need to doubt
So early to bed
And early to rise
I know just what you're thinkin'
By the look in your eyes.

I say Buck
So sweet is your back
I like to wash you
And kiss you when you're wet
So hold me close
And squeeze me till I sigh
Please love me, honey
Till the day I die.

I say Buck
There ain't no other man around
Get your lover gal
To calm right down
No question 'bout the way
I feel for you
So gentle, oh so gentle
Are the things you do
Oh so gentle, oh so gentle
Are the things you do
Oh so gentle, oh so gentle
Are the things you do.

I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl
Duration: 02:32
Track #: 07


I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl

I want a little sugar
In my bowl,
I want a little sweetness
Down in my soul,
I could stand some lovin'
Oh, so bad,
I feel so funny and
I feel so sad.

I want a little steam
On my clothes,
Maybe I can fix things up
So they'll go,
Whats a matter Daddy
Come on, save my soul,
I need some sugar in my bowl
I ain't foolin',
I want some sugar in my bowl.

You been acting different
I've been told,
Soothe me
I want some sugar in my bowl,
I want some steam
On my clothes,
Maybe I can fix things up
So they'll go
Whats a matter Daddy
Come on, save my soul
I want some sugar in my bowl
I ain't foolin',
I want some sugar hmmm
In my bowl.

Backlash Blues - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: Backlash Blues
Duration: 02:29
Track #: 06


Backlash Blues

Mr. Backlash, Mr. Backlash
Just who do think I am,
You raise my taxes, freeze my wages
And send my son to Vietnam.

You give me second class houses
And second class schools,
Do you think that all a colored folks
Are just second class fools,
Mr. Backlash, I'm gonna leave you
With the backlash blues.

When I try to find a job
To earn a little cash,
All you got to offer
Is your mean old white backlash,
But the world is big
Big and bright and round,
And it's full of folks like me
Who are black, yellow, beige and brown,
Mr. Backlash, I'm gonna leave you
With the backlash blues.

(guitar solo)

Mr. Backlash, Mr. Backlash
Just what do you think I got to lose,
I'm gonna leave you
With the backlash blues,
You're the one will have the blues
Not me, just wait and see.

My Man's Gone Now - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: My Man's Gone Now
Duration: 04:16
Track #: 05


My Man's Gone Now

My Man's gone now
Ain't no use a listenin'
For his tired footsteps
Climbin' up the stairs.

Old man sorrows
Come to keep me company
Whisperin' beside me
When I say my prayers
When I say my prayers.

He come around
He come up, he come around
Ain't that I mind workin'
Workin' means travelers
Journeyin' together
To the promised land.

But old man sorrow
Mountin' all the way with me
Tell me that I'm old now
Since I lose my man
Since I lose my man.

Since I lose my man.

Real Real - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: Real Real
Duration: 02:21
Track #: 04


Real Real

I say real, real
Our love is real to me,
It thrills me
With perfect liberty,
When you tell me you love me
And you hold me and kiss me,
Then I know it's real, real
It's so real to me.

I say real, real
Our love is real to me,
Please thrill me
With your kisses sweet,
Tell your papa and your mama
One day soon we're gonna
Have a great weddin' day
It's so real to me.

I say real, real
Out love is real to me
It gives me perfect liberty
When you tell me you love me
And you hold me and kiss me,
Then I know it's real
It's so real to me.

I say real now, real
It's so real to me,
Please thrill me
With your kisses sweet,
Tell your papa and your mama
One day soon we're gonna
Have a great weddin' day
It's so real, so real
So real, so real
It’s so real, so real
It's so real to me.

In The Dark - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: In The Dark
Duration: 02:56
Track #: 03


In The Dark

In the dark
It's just you and I,
Not a sound
Their's not one sigh,
Just the beat of my poor heart
In the dark.

Now, in the dark, in the dark
I get such a thrill,
When he presses his fingertips
Upon my lips
And he begs me to please keep still
In the dark.

But soon
This dance will be endin'
And you're gonna be missed
Gee, I'm not pretendin'
'Cause I swear it's fun
Fun to be kissed.

In the dark
Now we will find,
What the rest
Have left behind,
Just let them dance
We're gonna find romance,
Lord, in the dark.

Day And Night - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: Day And Night
Duration: 02:34
Track #: 02


Day And Night

When you like a fellow
Try to treat him right,
Give him your attention
Day and night.

When he starts to smilin'
And he's got you uptight,
Shower him with kisses
Day and night.

Tell him how you love him,
Tell him he's out of sight,
Then he'll know you dig him
Day and night.

If he wants to leave you
And you think he might,
Beg him not to leave you
Day and night.

Tell him that you're lonely,
Tell him that you're cold,
Tell him that you need him
Here to (satisfy your soul).

If he likes to dance now
Tell you what you do,
When you see him comin' down the street
You start to (do the bungaloo).

Oh no, even when he's wrong
Tell him that he's right,
You can take the blame
Both day and night.

When you like a fellow
Try to treat him right,
Give him your attention
Day and night.

When he starts to smilin'
And he's got you uptight,
Shower him with kisses
Day and night.

Do I Move You? - Nina Simone

Artist: Nina Simone
Album: Sings The Blues
Label: RCA
Year: 2006
Song Title: Do I Move You?
Duration: 02:45
Track #: 01


Do I Move You?

Do I move you, are you willin'?
Do I groove you, is it thrillin'?
Do I soothe you, tell the truth now
Do I move you, are you loose now?
The answer better be (yes, yes)
That pleases me.

Are you ready for this action?
Does it give you satisfaction?
Are you hip to what I'm sayin'?
If you are then let's start swayin'
The answer better be (yes, yes)
That pleases me.

When I touch you do you quiver?
Form your head down to your liver?
If you like it let me know it
Don't be psychic or you'll blow it
The answer better be (yes, yes)
That pleases me.

East St. Louis Blues - Blind Willie McTell

Artist: Blind Willie McTell
Album: The Definitive Blind Willie McTell (CD 2)
Label: Sony
Year: 1994
Song Title: East St. Louis Blues
Duration: 02:52
Track #: 20


East St. Louis Blues

I walked all the way from East Saint Louis
I never had but that one, one thin dime,
I laid my head in a New York woman's lap
She laid her little cute head in mine.

She tried to make me bleed by the rattlings of her tongue
The sun would never, never shine,
I pawned my sword and I pawned my chain
Well I pawned myself but I fell to shame.

I tried to see you in the fall
When you didn't have no man at all,
I'd love to meet you in the spring
when the bluebird's almost ready to sing
Faree, honey, faree well!

You can shake like a cannon ball
Get out and learn that old Georgia crawl
Faree, honey, faree well!

(Play it boy)

And I laid my head in a barroom door
And I can't get drunk, drunk no more,
Now if you can't do the sugary
Get yourself on out of this house to me
Faree, baby, faree well!

I tried to see you in the spring
When the bluebird's almost ready to sing
Faree, honey, faree well!

And I walked on back to East Saint Louis
Never had but that one, one thin dime.