JIMMIE RODGERS
FIRST SESSIONS - 1927-1928
(Rounder 1056)
1990
Produced by Ralph Peer
Jimmie Rodgers - vocal/guitar/ukelele
Ellsworth T. Cozens - steel/mandolin/banjo
J.R. Ninde - guitar
Recorded:
Aug 4/1927, Bristol, TN (2,4)
Nov 30/1927, Camden, NJ (1,3,5,7)
Feb 14/1928, Camden, NJ (6,8,10,13)
Feb 15/1928, Camden, NJ (9,11,12,13)
1.
T FOR TEXAS (BLUE YODEL NO. 1)
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '27 Peer International, BMI »
T for Texas T for Tennessee T for Texas T for Tennessee
T for Telma the gal that made a wreck out of me
[ yodel ]
If you don't want my love mama you sure don't have to stall Lord Lord
If you don't want my love mama you sure don't have to stall
Cause I can get more women than a passanger train could haul
[ yodel ]
I'm gonna buy me a pistol just as long as I'm tall (Lord Lord)
I'm gonna buy me a pistol just as long as I'm tall
I'm gonna shoot for Telma just to see her jump and fall
[ yodel ]
I'm goin' where the water taste like cherry wine (sing 'em boys sing 'em)
Lord I'm goin' where the water drink like cherry wine
Cause this Georgia water taste like turpentine
[ yodel ]
I'm gonna find me a shot gun with a big long shiny belt
Gonna find me a shot gun with a big long shiny belt
I'm gonna shoot that rounder that stole away my gal
[ yodel ]
Rather drink muddy water sleep in a hollow log
Rather drink muddy water and sleep in a hollow log
Than to be in Atlanta treated like a dirty dog
[ yodel ]
**********
2.
SOLDIER'S SWEETHEART
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '27 Peer International, BMI »
Once I had a sweetheart a sweetheart brave and true
His hair was dark and curly his loving eyes were blue
He told me that he loved me and he often proved it so
And he often came to see me when the evening sun was low
But fate took him away to this awful German war
And when he came to say goodbye my heart did overflow
He says goodbye little darling to France I must go
He takes the golden finger ring and he placed it on my hand
Said remember me little darling when I'm in no man's land
He promised he would write to me that promise he's kept true
And when I read this letter friend I pray the war is through
The second letter I got from him the war was just ahead
The third one wrote by his Captain a darling dear was dead
I'll keep all of his letters I'll keep his gold ring too
And I'll always live a single life for the soldier who was so true
**********
3.
BEN DEWBERRY'S FINAL RUN
(Andrew Jenkins)
« © '27 Peer International, BMI »
Ben Dewberry was a brave engineer
He told his fireman don't you ever fear
All I want is the water and coal
Stick your head out the window watch the drivers roll
Watch the drivers roll watch the drivers roll
Stick your head out the window watch the drivers roll
Ben Dewberry said before he died
Two more roads that he wanted to ride
His fireman asked him what could they be
Said the old Northeastern and the A and B
Said the A and B he said the A and B
It's the old Northeastern and the A and B
On the fatal morning it began to rain
Around the curve come a passenger train
Ben Dewberry was the engineer
With the throttle wide open and without any fear
He didn't have no fear he didn't have no fear
He had her running wide open without any fear
Ben looked at his watch shook his head
We may make Atlanta but we'll all be dead
The train was flying by the troubling switch
Without any warning then she took the ditch
Yeah she went in the ditch well she took the ditch
Without any warning then she took the ditch
The big locomotive leaped from the rail
Ben never lived to tell that awful tale
His life was ended and his work was done
When Ben Dewberry made his final run
He made his final run he made his final run
When Ben Dewberry made his final run
**********
4.
SLEEP BABY SLEEP
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '27 Peer International, BMI »
Sleep baby sleep dear close your bright eyes
Listen to your mother dear sing sweet lullaby
Sleep baby sleep dear while angels watch over you
Listen to your mother dear while she sings to you
[ yodel ]
Sleep baby sleep dear angels are watching you
Listen to your mother dear while she sings to you
[ yodel ]
**********
5.
MY MOTHER WAS A LADY
(Joseph W. Stern - Edward B. Marks)
« © '27 Peer International, BMI »
Two drummers they were seated in a grand hotel one day
While dining they were chatting on a jovial sort of way
There came a pretty waitress to bring a tray of food
They spoke to her familiary in a manner rather rude
At first she did not notice or make the least reply
But one remark was made to her brought teardrops to her eyes
She turned to her tormentors her cheeks were blushing red
Approaching as a picture this is what she said
My mother was a lady like yours you would allow
And you may have a sister who needs protection now
I've come to this great city to find my brother dear
You wouldn't dare insult me sir if brother Jack were here
The two sat there in silence their heads hung down in shame
Forgive me Miss we meant no harm pray tell me what is your name
She told him and he cried aloud I know your brother too
We've been friends for many many years and he often speaks of you
Come go with me when I go back and if you'll only wed
I'll take you to him as my bride for I love you since you said
My mother was a lady...
**********
6.
DEAR OLD SUNNY SOUTH BY THE SEA
(Jimmie Rodgers - Ellsworth T. Cozzens)
« © '28 Peer International, BMI »
In my dear old southern home I was happy as I could be
Where the mockingbirds sing in the nights we rest
In that dear old sunny south by the sea
[ yodel ]
There's my mother and dear old dad
When I left I know I made them sad
So I'm going back to that dear old shack
Where I spent my happy days as a lad
[ yodel ]
Goodbye friends I'm leaving today
Goodbye friends I'm going far away
I'll be happy and free here on dear mother's knee
In that little old log cabin by the sea
[ yodel ]
**********
7.
AWAY OUT ON THE MOUNTAIN
(Jimmie Rodgers - Kelly Harrell)
« © '27 Peer International, BMI »
**********
8.
TREASURE UNTOLD
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '28 Peer International, BMI »
Dreaming of you and your eyes of blue
I've loved you forever it seems
I have longed for you dear and wanted you near
You are the girl of my dreams
Although I have met you just now
I'll tell you of my love somehow
If I could but win your heart little girl
Then I would have treasure untold
The kisses you give me in life's sweetest dreams
Are even more precious than gold
I love your sweet face and your dear smiling eyes
How often that story's been told
If I could but win your heart little girl
Then I would have treasure untold
[ steel - yodel ]
**********
9.
MY LOVIN' GAL LUCILLE (BLUE YODEL NO. 2)
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '28 Peer International, BMI »
If you ever had the blues you know just how I feel
If you ever had the blues you know just how I feel
I'm about to lose my lovin' gal Lucille
[ yodel ]
I love you woman but I don't like your lowdown ways
I love you woman but I don't like your lowdown ways
You got me in trouble and now I'm served in days
[ yodel ]
[ dobro ]
Write me a letter send it to me by mail
Write me a letter and send it to me by mail
Just send it to me in care of the Birmingham jail
[ yodel ]
Well I ain't gonna marry no I ain't gonna settle down
Lord I ain't gonna marry and I ain't gonna settle down
I'm gonna be a rounder till the police shoots me down
[ yodel ]
You can blow your whistle mama you can toot your horn
You can blow your whistle mama you can toot your horn
You're gonna wake up some morning and find your daddy gone
[ yodel ]
**********
10.
SAILOR'S PLEA
(Jimmie Rodgers - Elsie McWilliams)
« © '27 Peer International, BMI »
**********
11.
IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '28 Peer International, BMI »
I had a friend named Rambling Bob who used to steal gamble and rob
He thought he was the smartest guy in town
But I found out last Monday that Bob got locked up Sunday
They've got him in the jailhouse way downtown
He's in the jailhouse now he's in the jailhouse now
I told him once or twice to quit playin' cards and shootin' dice
He's in the jailhouse now
[ yodel - banjo ]
He played the game called poker he knocked all with an yoker
But shootin' dice was his greatest game
Now he's downtown in jail nobody's to go his bail
The judge done said that he'll refuse to find
He's in the jailhouse now...
[ yodel - banjo ]
Now I went out last Tuesday met a girl named Susie
I told her I was the swellest man around
We started to spend my money and she started to callin' me honey
We took in every cabarete in town
We're in the jailhouse now we're in the jailhouse now
I've told the judge right to his face we didn't like to see this place
We're in the jailhouse now
[ yodel ]
**********
12.
MEMPHIS YODEL
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '28 Peer International, BMI »
I woke up this morning the blues all around my bed
I woke up this morning the blues all around my bed
I didn't have nobody to hold my aching head
[ yodel ]
If you don't want me woman give me your right hand
If you don't want me woman give me your right hand
Cause I can find me another mama and I know you can find a man
[ yodel ]
I love you Memphis you know I love love you so
Lord I love you Memphis Tennessee I love you so
And I'd rather be dead than be out of place I know
[ yodel ]
[ guitar ]
I've got my ticket I'm sure gonna ride this train
Lord I've got my ticket I'm sure gonna ride this train
I'm goin' to some place well I wanna hear 'em call your name
[ yodel ]
I'm goin' to the river take me a rockin' chair
I'm goin' to the river take me a rockin' chair
And if the blues don't leave me I'll rock all the way from here
[ yodel ]
I don't want you mama and I know you don't want me
I don't want you woman and I know you don't want me
So I'm goin' to New Orleans for there I'll be free
[ yodel ]
**********
13.
BRAKEMAN'S BLUES (YODELING THE BLUES AWAY)
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '27 Peer International, BMI »
Portland Maine is just the same as sunny Tennessee
Portland Maine is just the same as sunny Tennessee
Any old place I hang my hat is home sweet home to me
[ yodel ]
I went to the depot and looked up on the board
Went to the depot and looked up on the board
It says it's good times here but it's better on down the road
[ yodel ]
I'll eat my breakfast here get my dinner in New Orleans
I'll eat my breakfast here get my dinner in New Orleans
I'm gonna get me a mama Lord I ain't never seen
[ yodel ]
Where was you mama when the train left the shed
Where was you mama when the train left the shed
Standing in my front door wishing the Lord that I was dead
[ yodel ]
If your house catch the fire there ain't no water around
If your house catch the fire there ain't no water around
Just put my trunk out the window let the house fallin' down
[ yodel ]
If that's you mama you better tie her to your side
If that's you mama you better tie her to your side
Cause if she plays my strings I'm sure gonna let her ride
[ yodel ]
**********
14.
EVENING SUN YODEL (BLUE YODEL NO.3)
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '27 Peer International, BMI »
She's long she's tall she's six feet from the ground
She's long she's tall she's six feet from the ground
She's true to me she ain't no hand me down
[ yodel ]
She got eyes like diamonds but she shines just the same
She got eyes like diamonds but she shines just the same
She got sweet ruby lips and hair like a horse's mane
[ yodel ]
Everytime I see you woman you're always on the street
Everytime I see you you're always on the street
You hang out on the corner like a police on his beat
[ yodel ]
Won't you tell me mama where you stayed last night
Tell me mama where you stayed last night
Cause your hair's all tousy and your close don't fit your right
[ yodel ]
I ain't gonna tell you no story woman I ain't goin' to lie
I ain't gonna tell you no story mama I ain't goin' to lie
But the day you'll quit me woman that's the day that you'll die
[ yodel ]
I hate to see this evening sun go down
Lord I hate to see this evening sun go down
Cause it makes me think I'm on my last go around
**********