JIMMIE RODGERS
ON THE WAY UP - 1929
(Rounder 1058)
1991
Produced by Ralph Peer
Jimmie Rodgers - vocal/guitar
Billy Burkes - guitar
Joe Kaipo - steel
Weldon Burkes - ukelele
Bob MacGimsey - whistling
Recorded:
Feb 23/1929, NY City (1,5)
Aug 8/1929 Dallas (2,6,7)
Aug 10/1929 Dallas (4,8)
Aug 12/1929 Dallas (3,9)
Oct 22/1929 Dallas (10-16)
Nov 13/1929 New Orleans (17)
1.
HIGH POWERED MAMA
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
Talk about blues the mean old blues we all have the blues sometimes
But the meanest blues I've ever had is about that gal of mine
A marriage life and a wedding ring
To that pretty mama don't mean a thing
I was a good man and you had a good home
But you just couldn't leave now your daddy's alone
I'm goin' to leave you now and you're goin' to miss your daddy
And miss him how
I've bought you a home and gave you a car
A half of the time I don't know where you are
When I was a brakeman driving on the rail
You had another daddy in the county jail
High powered mama I'm leaving you now
You're goin' to miss your daddy and miss me how
**********
2.
TUCK AWAY MY LONESOME BLUES
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
[ yodel ]
I'm always blue feeling so blue I wish I had someone I knew
Just to help me tuck away my blues lonesome blues
Won't you be that someone to help me lose the blues
I really need someone to love me someone to kiss
Someone to scold me someone to miss
So won't you help me tuck away my blues lonesome blues
[ yodel ]
I'm always blue feeling so blue...
I really need someone to love me someone to kiss...
**********
3.
FRANKIE AND JOHNNY
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
[ yodel ]
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts oh Lordy how they could love
Swore to be true to each other true as the stars above
He was her man he was doing her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner just for a bucket of beer
She says Mr Bartender has my loving Johnny been here
He's my man he was doing me wrong
I don't want cause you no trouble I ain't gonna tell you no lies
I saw your lover an hour ago with a girl named Nellie Blie
He was your man but he's doing you wrong
Hey Frankie looked over in transom she saw to her susrprice
There on the cab sat Johnny making love to Nellie Blie
He is my man and he's doing me wrong
[ yodel ]
Frankie drew back her comoda she took out a little 44
Rutty tooo too three times she shot right through that hardwood door
Shot her man he was doing her wrong
Bring out the rubber tied buggy bring out the rubber tied hack
I'm taking my man to the graveyard but I ain't gonna bring him back
Lord he was my man and he's done me wrong
Bring out a thousand policemen bring 'em around today
And locked me down in the dungeon cell and throw that key away
I shot my man he was doing me wrong
Frankie said to the warden what are you going to do
The warden he said to Frankie it's a electric chair for you
Cuase you shot your man he was doing you wrong
This story has no moral this story has no end
This story just goes to show that there ain't no good in man
He was her man and he's done her wong
**********
4.
FRANKIE AND JOHNNY
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
[ yodel ]
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts oh Lordy how they did love
Swore to be true to each other true as the stars above
He was her man he was doing her wrong
Frankie went down to the corner just for a bucket of beer
She says Mr Bartender has my loving Johnny been here
He's my man he was doing me wrong
I don't want cause you no trouble I ain't gonna tell you no lie
I saw your lover an hour ago with a gal named Nellie Blie
He is your man and he's doing you wrong
[ yodel ]
Frankie looked over in transom she saw to her susrprice
There on the cab sat Johnny making love to Nellie Blie
He is my man and he's doing me wrong
Frankie drew back to her comoda she took out a little 44
Rutty tooo too three times she shot right through that hardwood door
She shot her man he was doing her wrong
Bring out the rubber tied buggy bring out the rubber tied hack
I'm taking my man to the graveyard but I ain't gonna bring him back
Lord he was my man and he's done me wrong
Bring out a thousand policemen bring 'em around today
And locked me down in the dungeon cell and throw that key away
I shot my man he was doing me wrong
Frankie she said to the warden what are they going to do
The warden he said to Frankie it's a electric chair for you
Cuase you shot your man he was doing you wrong
This story has no moral this story has no end
This story just goes to show that there ain't no good in man
He was her man and he's done her wong
**********
5.
I'M SORRY WE MET
(Jimmie Rodgers - Elsie McWilliams)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
So you have refused to see me my dear
You'd rather I'd be all alone
Still I can't forget the kisses we knew
And the days when I called you my own
[ yodel ]
I'm sorry we met it's so hard to forget
The days that used to be
And though you weren't true I still think of you
And your memory is so dear to me
So you found another and you loved him too
My heart is broken I'm sad and I'm blue
I'm sorry we met it's so hard to forget
The days that used to be
[ yodel ]
So you found another and you loved him too...
**********
6.
TRAIN WHISTLE BLUES
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
[ yodel ]
When a woman gets the blues she hangs her little head and cries
When a woman gets the blues she hangs her little head and cries
But when a man gets the blues he grabs a train and rides
Every time I see that lonesome railroad train
Every time I see that lonesome railroad train
It makes me wish I was going home again
[ yodel ]
Looky yonder coming coming down that railroad track
Looky yonder coming coming down that railroad track
With the black smoke rolling rolling from that old smoke stack
I got the blues so bad till the whole round world looks blue
I got the blues so bad till the whole round world looks blue
I ain't got a dime I don't know what to do
[ yodel ]
I'm weary now I want to leave this town
I'm weary now and I want to leave this town
I can't find a job I'm tired of hanging around
[ yodel ]
**********
7.
EVERYBODY DOES IT IN HAWAII
(Jimmie Rodgers - Elsie McWilliams)
« © '33 Peer International, BMI »
Talk about Hawaii I didn't know it was so grand
I pick me out a hula hula girl before my boat could land
Everybody does it in Hawaii
[ yodel ]
She's got it here and she's got it there
Her lips are red and her feet are bare
She's shy on close but I don't care
Cause everybody does it in Hawaii
[ yodel ]
She's got two pretty legs with dimple knees
Two brown arms and they know how to squeeze
A perfect form and I'm hard to pelase
But everybody does it in Hawaii
[ yodel ]
When I leave Hawaii when I leave old Waikiki
I'm goin' to take my hula hula girl and bring her back with me
Everybody does it in Hawaii
She's got it here and she's got it there...
[ yodel ]
Two pretty legs with dimple knees...
[ yodel ]
**********
8.
JIMMIE'S TEXAS BLUES
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
The way I've been treated sometime I wish I were dead
The way I've been treated sometime I wish I were dead Lord Lord
Cause I ain't got no place to lay my weary head
[ yodel ]
When I want you woman I always find you gone
Everytime I want you I always find you gone
Listen here good mama I'm gonna put your headbreaks on
[ yodel ]
Some like Chicago some love Memphis Tennessee
Some like Chicago some love Memphis Tennessee
Give me sweet Dallas Texas where the women think the world to me
[ yodel ]
You may have your troubles I'm having my troubles too
You may have your troubles I'm having my troubles too
Yes I know how it feels when you're feeling so doggone blue
[ yodel ]
I'm not singing the blues I'm telling you the hard luck I've had
I'm not singing the blues I'm telling you the hard luck I've had
The blues ain't nothing but a good man feeling bad
[ yodel ]
**********
9.
HOME CALL
(Jimmie Rodgers - Elsie McWilliams)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
At the close of the day when the sun sinks away
Below the western sea
Then I'll seek my rest in a little love nest
Built for Carrie Anita and me
A big mora's chair awaits for me there
In front of a bright log fire
My babe at my knee and my wife sings with me
While I srtum on my old guitar
In fact we're as happy as happy can be
In the evening just Carrie Anita and me
[ yodel ]
Everything may go wrong as I toil all day long
But when the shadows fall
The care of the day slips softly away
When I hear that old home call
A big mora's chair awaits for me there...
**********
10.
MIDNIGHT TURNING DAY BLUES (BLUE YODEL NO.6)
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
She left me this morning midnight was turning day
She left me this morning the midnight turning day
I didn't have no blues untill my good gal went away
[ yodel ]
I got the blues like midnight the moon shining bright as day
Got the blues like midnight the moon shines bright as day
I wish a tornado would blow my blues away
[ yodel ]
One of these mornings I'm sure gonna leave this town
One of these mornings I'm sure gonna leave this town
Cause you triflin' women really keep a good man down
[ yodel ]
When a man's down and out you women don't want him roud
When a man is down you women don't want him roud
But when he's got money he's the sweetest thing in town
[ yodel ]
A woman will follow you right to the jailhouse door
A woman will follow you right to the jailhouse door
Then she will tell you you can't fuss and fight no more
[ yodel ]
Look at here sweet mama see what you have done
Look at here sweet mama see what you have done
You made me love you your regular daddy's come
[ yodel ]
**********
11.
YODELING COWBOY
(Jimmie Rodgers - Elsie McWilliams)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
My cowboy life is so happy and free
Out west where the laws don't bother me
I take my troubles like a toy
I'm just a yodeling cowboy
[ yodel ]
At the set of the sun when my work is done
On my pony I take a ride
Where the coyotes howl and the varmints prowl
With my forty-four by my side
I go down that lonesome trail just galloping long
I love to sing this yodeling cowboy song
[ yodel ]
Where a man is a man and a friend is a friend
Where all my cares and worries end
I have no troubles nothing but joy
I'm just a yodeling cowboy
[ yodel ]
At the set of the sun...
**********
12.
MY ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
For years and years I've rambled drank my wines and gambled
But one day I thought I'd settle down
I met a perfect lady she said she'd be my baby
We built a cottage in the old hometown
[ yodel ]
But somehow I can't forget my good old rambling days
The railroad trains are calling me away
I may be rough I may be wild I may be tough and countrified
But I can't give up my good old rough and rowdy ways
[ yodel ]
Sometimes I meet a bounder who knew me when I was a rounder
He grabs my hand and says boy have a drink
We'd go down to the poolroom get in the gang and then soon
The daylight comes before I'd had a wink
[ yodel ]
But somehow I can't forget...
[ yodel ]
**********
13.
LAND OF MY BOYHOOD DREAMS
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
Alone in a great big city I'm as lonesome as I can be
Far from the open spaces and the home that is dear to me
It's years that I left the prairie where the cayous roam at night
And howl while these stars are blinking and the moon shines clear and bright
I'm getting old and feeble my days are nearly done
Oh how long for the prairie where the cattle and mustangs run
[ yodel ]
Take me out there where the cowboys singing the campfires gleam
Oh let me rest down in Texas the land of my boyhood dream
I'm getting old and feeble my days are nearly done
Oh how long for the prairie where the cattle and mustangs run
Take me out there where the cowboys singing the campfires gleam
Oh let me rest down in Texas the land of my boyhood dream
[ yodel ]
**********
14.
LAND OF MY BOYHOOD DREAMS
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
Alone in a great big city I'm as lonesome as I can be
Far from the open spaces and the home that is dear to me
It's years that I left the prairie where the cayous roam at night
And howl while the stars are blinking and the moon shines so bright
I'm getting old and feeble my days are nearly done
Oh how long for the prairie where the cattle and the mustangs run
Take me out in Texas where the cowboys singing the campfires gleam
Oh how I love that Texas the land of my boyhood dream
[ yodel ]
I'm getting old and feeble my days are nearly done
Oh how long for the prairie where the cattle and the mustangs run
Take me out there where the cowboys singing the campfires gleam
Oh let me rest down in Texas the land of my boyhood dream
[ yodel ]
**********
15.
WHISPER YOUR MOTHER'S NAME
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
I was sitting one day in a gilded cafe
In a window that looked in the street
Her face caught my eyes in a crowd passing by
And I hastedly sprang to my feet
It was my sister's sad face I had left home to trace
Through her pride she had left us one day
And it brought back to me as plain as could be
My mother as I heard her say
If you should see your sister do not reproach or blame
Tell her how we've missed her I love her just the same
Say my darling the words that you've brought her
Whether in pride or shame
Say that she's still my daughter whisper your mother's name
[ yodel ]
There were tears on her face as she passed by the place
And I hastedly sprang to her side
As we walked along I said now we were wrong
We are sorry we wounded your pride
Your sweetheart is true and still waiting for you
We are willing now you should wed
If you'll only come back you can marry your Jack
And please your dear mother who's sad
If you should see your sister...
[ yodel ]
**********
16.
I'VE RANGED I'VE ROAMED AND I'VE TRAVELED
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
[ yodel ]
I've ranged I've roamed and I've traveled I've been a no good they say
Many years of my life I have wasted but I stop leading that life today
I had a dear old mother and dad and a sister too
But I was the youngest and spoiled they say by mother as mother's will do
I left when a kid for the city I craved the great white way
But it is a place without pity I went wrong the very first day
I met there a painted lady she seemed so jolly and gay
She took me to her appartment where a dozen of boys stayed
It was her game she was the boss they talked of the fun they had
We all played poker and soon I lost every nickel that I had
They said come on kid and cheer up we'll let you join out a game
They took me along a job that night and then my troubles began
[ yodel ]
Twas somehow we shot a watchman and they laid the blame on me
I finished twenty years in a prison I'm a man of forty-three
Then I thought of my mother and home so feeble and gray
I could see her throwing kisses at me as she did when I went away
I sat down and wrote her a letter and this is how it ran
I said mother I've been gone for twenty long years out west on that Rio Grande
No delivery reaches me there there's nothing but sage brushing sand
Mother I love you and want to come home and start life all over again
[ yodel ]
**********
17.
HOBO BILL'S LAST RIDE
(Waldo LaFayette O'Neal)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
Ho-bo Bill-y
Riding on that eastbound freight train speeding through the night
Hobo Bill a railroad bum was fighting for his life
The sadness of his eyes revealed the torture of his soul
He raised a weak and weary hand to brush away the coal
Ho-bo Bill
No warm lights flickered round him no blankets there to fold
Nothing but the howling wind and the driving rain so cold
When he heard a whistle blowing in a dreamy kind of way
The hobo seemed contented for he smile there where he lay
Ho-bo Bill
Outside the rain was falling on that lonely boxcar door
But the little form of Hobo Bill lay still upon the floor
While the train sped through the darkness and the raging storm outside
No one knew that Hobo Bill was taking his last ride
It was early in the morning when they raised the hobo's head
The smile still lingered on his face but Hobo Bill was dead
There was no mother's longing to soothe his weary soul
For he was just a railroad bum who died out in the cold
**********