BIG BAD JOHN
(Columbia CS-8535)
November/1961
Produced by Don Law
Grady Martin, Harold Bradley, Ray Edenton - guitar
Walter Haynes - steel
Joe Zinkan - bass
Buddy Harman - drums
Floyd Cramer - piano
Bill McElhiney - trumpet
Recorded:
Aug 18/1961, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (1,9)
Oct 17/1961, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (2,3,5,6,7)
Oct 18/1961, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (4)
Oct 21/1961, Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville (8,10)
1.
BIG BAD JOHN
(Jimmy Dean)
« © '61 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
(Big John Big John)
Every mornin' at the mine you could see him arrive
He stood six foot six and weighed 2-45
Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip
And everybody knew you didn't give no lip to Big John
(Big John Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)
Nobody seemed to know where John called home
Just drifted into town and stayed all alone
He didn't say much he kinda quiet and shy
And if you spoke at all you just said hi to Big John
Somebody said he came from New Orleans
Where he got in a fight over a Cajun Queen
And a crashin' blow from a huge right hand
Sent a Louisiana fellow to the Promised Land Big John
(Big John Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)
Then came the day at the bottom of the mine
When a timber cracked and men started cryin'
Miners were prayin' and hearts beat fast
And everybody thought that they'd breathed their last cept John
Through the dust and the smoke of this man made hell
Walked a giant of a man that the miners knew well
Grabbed a saggin' timber and gave out with a groan
And like a giant oak tree he just stood there alone Big John
(Big John Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)
And with all of his strenght he have a mighty shove
Then a miner yelled out there's a light up above
And twenty men screamed from a would be grave
Now there's only one left down there to save Big John
With jacks and timbers they started back down
Then came that rumble way down in the ground
And the smoke and gas belched out of the mine
Everybody knew it way the end of the line for Big John
(Big John Big John) Big Bad John (Big John)
Now they never reopened that worthless pit
They just placed a marbled stand in front of it
These few words're written on that stand
At the bottom of this mine lies a big big man Big John
(Big John Big John) Big Bad John
(Big John Big John) Big Bad John
**********
2.
SMOKE SMOKE SMOKE THAT CIGARETTE
(Merle Travis - Tex Williams)
« © '47 Unichappell Music, BMI »
Now I'm a fellow with a heart of gold with the ways of a gentleman I've been told
A kind of a guy that wouldn't even harm a flea
But if me and a certain character met that guy that invented the cigarette
I'd murder that son of a gun in the first degree
That ain't cause I don't smoke myself and I don't reckon they'll injure your health
I've smoked 'em all my life and I ain't dead yet
But nicotine slaves are all the same at a pheasant party or a poker game
Everythin's gotta stop when they have that cigarette
Smoke smoke smoke that cigarette
Puff puff puff and if you smoke yourself to death
Tell St Peter at the Golden Gate that you hate to make him wait
But you just gotta have another cigarette
Now at a game of chance the other night ol' Dame Forson wasn't doin' me right
Them kings and queens just kept on comin' round
Well I got a full and I bet it high but my plug didn't work on a certain guy
He just kept a risin' and a layin' that money down
Now he'd raise me and I'd raise him I sweated blood I had to sink or swim
He finally called and he didn't raise the bet
I said ace is full pal how about you he said I'll tell you in a minute or two
But I just gotta have another cigarette
Smoke smoke smoke that cigarette...
[ piano ]
Now the other night I had a date with the cutest gal in the fifty states
A highbred uptown social little dame
She said she loved me and it seemed to me that things were like they oughta be
And hand in hand we strolled down Lover's Lane
She was oh so far from a chunk of ice and our smoochin' party was a goin' real nice
So help and I think I'd've been there yet
But I give her a hug and a little squeeze and she said Jim excuse me please
But I just gotta have another cigarette
Smoke smoke smoke that cigarette...
Gotta have another cigarette
Y'all keep pickin' if you want to but I'm gonna light one up
(Puff-puff) now boy that's real coughin'
**********
3.
SIXTEEN TONS
(Merle Travis)
« © '47 Unichappell Music, BMI »
Now some people say a man's made outta mud
But a poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood skin and bone
A mind that's weak and a back that's strong
You load sixteen tons what do you get
Another day older and deeper and debt
St Peter don't you call me I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
Grabbed me a shovel and I went to the mine
Loaded sixteen tons of No 9 coal
And the storeboss said well bless my soul
You load sixteen tons...
I was born one mornin' and it was drizzlin' rain
Figtin' and trouble is my middle name
Risin' the cane raiped by that ol' mom of mine
Ain't no hightoned mama makes me walk the line
You load sixteen tons...
If you see me comin' better step aside
A lotta men didn't and a lotta men died
One fist is iron the other one's steel
If the left one don't get you then the right one will
You load sixteen tons...
**********
4.
MAKE THE WATERWHEEL ROLL
(Mel Tillis - Marijohn Wilkin)
« © '59 Cedarwood Publishing, BMI »
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Bossman bossman my hands're cold (shut up boy and make the waterwheel roll)
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Grind that corn and make that meal the bossman's belly just gotta be filled
Grind that corn and make that bread the bossman's young un's all gotta be fed
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Bossman bossman he sure is mean thinks of my body as a steam machine
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Ole Willie John don't work too hard
Cause he's got a woman in the rich man's yard
I wanna run away but I'd be found
Cause the bossman's got two big blood hounds
Make the waterwheel roll...
Feel that rhythm in my soul sing my song while the waterwheel rolls
Workin' all day in the cold cold rain I wish my Lord would call my name
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
Make the waterwheel roll make the waterwheel roll
**********
5.
GOTTA TRAVEL ON
(Paul Clayton)
« © '60 Sanga Music, BMI »
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone yes winter's comin' on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I gotta travel on
Well papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
Johnny can't come home no Johnny can't come home
Papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
Cause he's been on the chain gang too long
High sheriff and police ridin' after me
Ridin' after me yes comin' after me
High sheriff and police they're comin' after me
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
I've laid around and played around...
Well I wanna see my honey and I wanna see her bad
Wanna see her bad oh wanna see her bad
I wanna see my honey wanna see her bad
She's the best gal this poor boy ever had
I've laid around and played around...
Travel on travel on travel on
**********
6.
OKLAHOMA BILL
(Stuart Hamblen)
« © '61 Hamblen Music, ASCAP »
The General just gave me a medal oh I'm a sight for mom to see
But when the news gets round that I ain't got ole Bill
Some kids gonna think a whole lot less of me
You see she gave me that puppy and said he'd protect me through the night
And if I got hurt he'd go for help or he'd back me up in a fight
He growed all the while I was trainin' forget him I never will
Cause you'd never see me with right at my heels was Oklahoma Bill
We hit a long ridge one sunup and it seemed like death held all the cards
Cause we payed and payed with lives of men for every hard fought yard
When finally we drove up to the top there wasn't nothin' but death behind
And as we all dug in we all thanked God though we numbered only nine
And as the snipers switched their guns as darkness closed that hill
My soul companion in the night was Oklahoma Bill
There's no glory in a battle once you've seen its awful cost
But there's glory in the knowledge that your flag is never lost
And yet in the stillness of the nightime and all alone you hold a post
You start cryin' like a baby sittin' there with all the ghosts
You feel your buddies are pattin' your back though their guns're silent and still
It's only a dog tryin' to love you my Oklahoma Bill
I gave my note to the Colonel and I bound a shattered leg
And I said Bill we're sure in trouble he never whimpered or begged
I could tell he hated to leave me I was the only God he ever knew
But quick as a flash he took of through the night like a fightin' marine would do
I kept firin' till help finally came it was him though that saved that hill
A dyin' dog had got through the lines my Oklahoma Bill
That little ol' kid will always wonder what happened to her dog
But she'll find out on Judgement Day when she sees the big Skipper's log
We'll all walk in and bugles'll blow and we'll stand our last revue
And men who've died for men on earth will get their heavenly dues
And if all brave hearts are there that day I'll get my greatest thrill
When I hang this medal around the neck of Oklahoma Bill
**********
7.
NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS
(Beasley Smith - Marvin Hughes - Owen Bradley)
« © '42 Peer International, BMI »
Take that night train to Memphis take that night train to Memphis
And when you arrive at the station
I'll be right there to meet you gonna be right there to greed you
So don't turn down my invitation
Hallelujah hallelujah I'll be shoutin' hallelujah all the day
There'll gonna be a jubilee down in Memphis Tennessee
And we'll shout hallelujah all the way
Take that night train to Memphis take that night train to Memphis
You know how I'm longing to see you
Leave that 3-50-7 and arive at eleven and then I'll be shoutin' hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah...
[ guitar ]
Night train to Memphis take that night train to Memphis oh yeah
Keep that engine stack a smokin' I'm not a kiddin' I'm not a jokin'
I'll soon be with my gal I'm hopin'
Hallelujah hallelujah...
I'm gonna shout hallelujah all the way
I'm gonna shout hallelujah all the way
**********
8.
GRASSHOPPER MAC CLAIN
(Stuart Hamblen)
« © '61 Hamblen Music, ASCAP »
Me and that navy ain't speakin' at sailin' I tell you I'm through
On the advice of a doc I got me a shock I had to have somethin' to do
These nerves I got are from soakin' too long when the ship got hit by a plane
And right here about four years back I met Grasshopper MacClain
The sun was a burnin' and the desert red hot when his mother drove in with a flat
She went inside to cool off with a beer and I saw her kid in the back
He lay on the seat in the swelterin' heat with hair the color of flame
A red headed mite but smilin' and bright was little ol' Grasshopper MacClain
I fixed her tyre and was totin' him round when she asked me how much she owed
I just laughed and said boy I settle for him
And to my surprice she drove off down the road
I figured she'd sober and come hurryin' back but for three long years she never came
And all that time I was mother and dad to little ol' Grasshopper MacClain
I'd tell him of ships I'd sailed on the seas when I put him in bed at night
And that freckle faced kid was as sharp as a tack and quick as a mate for a fight
I thought I'd wait till he growed a bit and let him pick out his own name
One day he came in with a bug in his hand and he said me Grasshopper MacClain
Oh he'd mimic my walk and he'd mimic my talk
Like my shadow he just tagged me around
Even had to be checked every time I was checked by the navy doc over the town
The doc'd laugh and thump his little ole chest and say feller you're right as rain
Then he'd turn to me and tell me that I'd be a new man
Thanks to Grasshopper MacClain
I guess you wonder why I'm tellin' you this well that's why I'm here doin' time
For a bang and a sheriff and a red headed dame that came to take what was mine
Oh but you should've seen the way he fought you could tell that kid was navy trained
But this lonely cell wouldn't be so much like hell if I only had Grasshopper MacClain
**********
9.
I WON'T GO HUNTIN' WITH YOU JAKE
(BUT I'LL GO CHASIN' WIMMIN')
(Stuart Hamblen)
« © '49 Hamblen Music, ASCAP »
Oh it's springtime in the mountains and I'm full of mountain dew
Can't even read my catalog like I used to do
I'm a sittin' in that little shed that's right back off the house
Here comes ol' Jake with all the hounds but he's gonna hear me shout
I won't go huntin' with you Jake but I'll go chasin' wimmin'
So put them hounds back in the pen and quit your silly grinnin'
Well the moon is bright and I'm half tight my life is just beginnin'
I won't go huntin' with you jake but I'll go chasin' wimmin'
Let's go down to the meetin' house and wait till they start home
Them gals that live on Possum Creek will always leave alone
We'll run 'em down the corn row them sassy little misses
We'll scare them pretty gals to death we'll stop and blow 'em kisses
Well I won't go huntin' with you Jake...
[ rh.banjo ]
Now wash your face and comb your hair cause it's darn near time to start
But let me tell you fore you go there's no one that's got my heart
Don't chase that gal with the yellow hair and wearin' dress of green
Well that little gal belongs to me I know she's past sixteen
Oh I won't go huntin' with you Jake...
Now I was headin' for the general store when a silly thing I've seen
They make 'em in the city it's called a magazine
I turned to page 32 and look at what I found
Them gals wear clothes that we ain't seen beneath them gigham gowns
Oh I won't go huntin' with you Jake...
**********
10.
TO A SLEEPING BEAUTY
(Larry Markes)
« © '61 Songsmiths Co, ASCAP »
Dear daughter I tiptoed to your room tonight
And I looked down at you smiling in your sleep
You were so lovely my heart nearly broke
And I thought how very much like sleeping beauty a little girl is
When I tuck you in at night I never know how old you'll be when you wake
One evening you crawl on your dad's lap and throw your arms around his neck
The next morning you might be much too grownup for that sort of thing
You're so quickly approachin' my awkward age
Too young to drive a car and yet too old to be carried
Into the house half asleep on daddy's shoulder
I have a secret that I've never told you Sleeping Beauty
You're going on a very exciting trip
You'll travel from yesterday all the way to tomorrow
It's a rapid journey and you'll travel light
Leavin' behind your measles mumps freckles bumps bubblegum and me
I promise not to feel too hurt when you discover
That the world is more important than your daddy's lap
Yesterday you were blue-jeaned and pig-tailed the neighborhood's best tree-climber
Tomorrow you'll be blue-organdie and ponny-tailed
And you'll view the world from a loftier perch a pair of high-heel shoes
Yesterday you could mend a doll's broken leg with a hug
Tomorrow you'll be able to break a young man's heart with a kiss
Ha ha yesterday you could get lost one aisle away from me in a supermarket
Now I have to worry about losin' you down another aisle to some strange young man
You see just at the point where your growing pains stop mine begin
Yesterday you were kind of a pain in the neck when you were around
Tomorrow you'll be an ache in my heart when you're not
Tomorrow you'll lay aside your jumprope and tie up the telephone lines
And that little boy that used to push you in the mud
Well he'll fight to set out a dance with you
The clock upstairs is countin' the minutes for you
And the sky upstairs is savin' its brightest stars
And the sun is waitin' with its shinest day
Oh I can't expect you to live in a dollhouse forever
Sooner or later the butterfly sheds its cocoon and the smallest bird must try its wings
But when you grow up and out of my arms when you finally get too big for my shirts
I'll still recall how you used to scatter dust and dolls
And partially through every room in the house but you spread sunshine too
The dust is settled your mom picked up the dolls
But the sunshine will always fill the corners of our hearts
So here I am talkin' in your sleep
Because well if you saw this look on my face you'd laugh
And if I spoke with this lump in my throat I'd cry
Yeah honey when I looked at you tonight you were a Sleeping Beauty
So I tiptoed over and I kissed you you didn't wake up I knew you wouldn't
According to the legend only the handsome young prince can open your eyes
And I'm just the father of a future bride
So you sleep on pretty thing tomorrow you'll awake and you'll be a young lady
And you won't even realize that you've changed courses in the middle of a dream
But you might notice this little change in me
I look a little different somehow a little sadder a little wiser but a whole lot richer
Tonight I kissed a princess and I feel like a king
**********