JIMMIE RODGERS
RIDING HIGH - 1929-1930
(Rounder 1059)
1991
Produced by Ralph Peer
Jimmie Rodgers - vocal/guitar
Billy Burkes, Lani McIntire - guitar
Charles Kama - steel
Bob Sawyer - piano
Bob Sawyer's Jazz Band
Recorded:
Nov 25/1929, Atlanta (4,5,9)
Nov 26/1929, Atlanta (1,2,6)
Nov 27/1929, Atlanta (7)
Nov 28/1929, Atlanta (3,8,11,12)
June 30/1930, Hollywood (10,14,17)
July 1/1930, Hollywood (13)
July 2/1930, Hollywood (15)
July 5/1930, Hollywood (16)
1.
ANNIVERSARY BLUE YODEL (BLUE YODEL NO. 7)
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
[ yodel ]
I was a stranger passing through your town
I was a stranger passing through your town
Well I asked you a favor good gal you turned me down
[ yodel ]
You may see me talking walking down that railroad track
You may see me talking walking down that railroad track
But good gal you done me wrong I ain't never coming back
[ yodel ]
Honey I'm so lonesome I don't know what to do
I'm so lonesome I don't know what to do
The way you treat me mama I hope you're lonesome too
[ yodel ]
I've rode the Southern I've rode that L & N
Lord I've rode the Southern I've rode that L & N
And if the police don't get me I'm gonna ride them again
[ yodel ]
Looky here Mr Brakeman don't put me off your train
Please Mr Brakeman don't put me off of your train
Cause the weather's cold and it looks like it's goin' to rain
[ yodel ]
I like Mississippi I fool about Tennessee
I like Mississippi fool about Tennessee
But these Texas woman have got the best of me
[ yodel ]
**********
2.
ANNIVERSARY BLUE YODEL (BLUE YODEL NO. 7)
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
[ yodel ]
I was a stranger passing through your town
Yes I was a stranger passing through your town hey hey
I asked you a favor good gal you turned me down
[ yodel ]
You may see me talking walking down the railroad track
You may see me talking walking down the railroad track
But good gal you done me wrong I ain't never coming back
[ yodel ]
Honey I'm so lonesome I don't know what to do Lord Lord
Baby I'm so lonesome I don't know what to do
The way you treated me sweet mama I hope you're lonesome too
[ yodel ]
Well I've rode the Southern I've rode that L & N yes I have
I've rode the Southern I've rode that L & N
And if the police don't get me I'm gonna ride them again tell 'em bout me
[ yodel ]
Looky here Mr Brakeman don't put me off your train
Please please Mr Brakeman don't put me off of your train
Cause the weather's cold and it looks like it's goin' to rain
[ yodel ]
I like Mississippi fool about Tennessee
Lord I like Mississippi I'm a fool about Tennessee
But these Texas woman have got the best of me
[ yodel ]
**********
3.
THAT'S WHY I'M BLUE
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
Blue blue feeling so blue what makes you treat me the way you do
When you know I love you so I'm simply wild about you
Girls all around me by the score I guess I could claim a dozen or more
But I don't want nobody but you
That's why I'm grieving cause you turned me down
That's why I'm leaving my old hometown
That's why I'm feeling so blue
[ yodel ]
Well I'm sad sad lonesome and sad no one but you can make me glad
Then tell me why won't you try to keep me from feeling so bad
Girls all around me by the score...
[ yodel ]
**********
4.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BLUES
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
The Mississippi River blues
Oh you Mississippi River with waters so deep and wide
My thoughts of you keep rising just like an evening tide
I'm just like a seagull that's left the sea
Oh your muddy waters they keep on calling me
I'm goin' to pack my grip and head that way
You'll see me hanging round again some day
Cause I know that's the only way to lose the Mississippi River blues
The Mississippi River blues
I've often ridden on your bosom from Memphis down to New Orleans
Streaming over muddy waters flowing through familiar scenes
And when I hear that whistle of an old steamboat
Down that Mississippi River again I'm a going to float
I'm goin' to pack my grip and head that way
You'll see me hanging round again some day
Cause I know that's the only way to lose the mean old Mississippi river blues
The Mississippi River blues
**********
5.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BLUES
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
The Mississippi River blues
Oh you Mississippi River with waters so deep and wide
My thoughts of you keep rising just like an evening tide
I'm just like a seagull that's left the sea
Oh your muddy waters they keep on calling me
I'm gona to pack my grip and head that way
You'll see me hanging round again some day
Cause I know that's the only way to lose the Mississippi River blues
The Mississippi River blues
I've often ridden on your bosom from Memphis down to New Orleans
Streaming over muddy waters flowing through familiar scenes
And when I hear the whistle of an old steamboat
Down that Mississippi River again I'm a going to float
I'm goin' to pack my grip and head that way
You'll see me hanging round again some day
Cause I know that's the only way to lose the mean old Mississippi river blues
The Mississippi River blues
**********
6.
SHE WAS HAPPY TILL SHE MET YOU
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
On a bright and sunny day when a young wife went away
From a husband who had filled her heart with pain
On the table laid a note these simple words she wrote
Goodbye I hope we'll never meet again
To her mother she returned for her old home she had yearned
For all the love for him she had had pled
But he sought her out at last with her partners for the past
But her mother met him at the door and said
She was happy till she met you the fault is all your own
If she wishes to forget you please leave her alone
She has come to her old mother because there is no other
She'll be happy in her home sweet home
[ yodel ]
I have come to say goodbye said the husband with a sigh
Just let me take her to my heart again
Says the mother it's too late all her love has turned to hate
So go your way your pleading heart's in vain
She's my wife the husband cried you can't take her from my side
The love I bet you part us we are wed
But the mother answered nay and sadly turned away
And once again to him she finally said
She was happy till she met you...
[ yodel ]
**********
7.
BLUE YODEL NO. 11
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
I've got a gal I give her presents by the score
I've got a gal I give her presents by the score
No matter how many presents I give her she's always wanting more
[ yodel ]
Now looky here sweet baby you sure don't treat me fair
Looky here sweet mama you sure don't treat me fair
Cause the presents you want would break a multi-millionaire
[ yodel ]
You want pearls and diamonds a fur clothes made of steel
You want pearls and diamonds a fur clothes made of steel
Killin' me but everything you want now you want an automobile
[ yodel ]
I believe to my soul somebody been ridin' my mule
I believe to my soul somebody been ridin' my mule
Cause every time I want to ride she acts like a doggone fool
[ yodel ]
You may call yourself the meanest gal in town
You may call yourself the meanest gal in town
Let me tell you baby I'm gonna turn your damper down
[ yodel ]
Listen here sweet mama this is all I have to say
Listen here baby this is all I've got to say
I know you're gonna leave but you'll miss your daddy some day
[ yodel ]
**********
8.
DRUNKARD'S CHILD
(Jimmie Rodgers - Andrew Jenkins)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
[ yodel ]
My father is a drunkard my mother she is dead
And I am just an orphan child no place to lay my head
All through this world I wander they drive me from their door
Someday I'll find a welcome on heaven's golden shore
Now if to me you'll listen I'll tell a story sad
How drinking rum and the gambling hell have stole away my dad
My mother is in heaven where God and the angels smile
And now I know she's watching her lonely orphan child
[ yodel ]
We all were once so happy and had a happy home
Till dad he went to drinking rum and then he gambled some
He left my darling mother she died of a broken heart
And as I tell my story I see your teardrops start
Don't weep for me and mother although I know it's sad
But try to get someone to cheer and save my poor lonely dad
I'm awful cold and hungry she closed her eyes and sighed
Then those who heard her story knew the orphan child had died
[ yodel ]
**********
9.
NOBODY KNOWS BUT ME
(Jimmie Rodgers - Elsie McWilliams)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
Nobody knows about the jailhouse blues till you get within four walls
And the old jailerman turns the big black key that's when your spirit falls
Then you drag yourself up to the bars and while you gaze out at the stars
This is what you say
Why did I stray from the righteous path nobody knows but me
There on the outside you all can laugh I don't need your sympathy
For after I've paid for the liquor I've sold
I'll leave this place worth my weight in gold
So why did I stray from the rightous path nobody knows but me
Nobody knows but me
Oh when you realize that you're all alone sitting in a two-by-four
That little cell is just a taste of hell if you ain't been there before
You're locked up tight but they treat you fair
You get everything that you need in there
That's just why I say
Why did I stray from the righteous path...
**********
10.
MOONLIGHT AND SKIES
(Jimmie Rodgers - Roy E. Hall)
« © '30 Peer International, BMI »
Oh come hear my story of heartaches and sighs
I'm a prisoner who's lonely for my moonlight and skies
I have a sweetheart who's waiting for me
Back in old Oklahoma not far from Shawnee
Her lips like the cherries her little heart cries
Daddy please come back to your moonlight and skies
My pal's name was Blacky a lad with true heart
A robbery we'd planned so decided to start
I went to my darling with tears in her eyes
She said daddy don't leave me your moonlight and skies
I laughed at her pleading youth must have it's way
And said I'll be back in a couple of days
[ guitar ]
The next scene was fatal with a shot through his heart
Old Blacky died sending love to his sweetheart
Go tell her go tell her I send my love
I'll meet her in heaven with the angels above
That night I was captured out under the stars
Now I have life to linger behind these iron bars
You'll find me at my window as the day slowly dies
I am dreaming of my darling and my moonlight and skies
A pale moon is shining it's shining so bright
And lovers are strolling by my window tonight
Their laughter so merry brings heartaches and sighs
To a prisoner who's lonely for the moonlight and skies
The moonlight and skies
**********
11.
WHY DID YOU GIVE ME YOUR LOVE
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
Oh why did you give me your love dear when it lasted only a day
Why did you teach me to love you only to turn me away
Why you promised that you would be true all you promised was in vain
But my heart keeps calling for you dear like the flowers call for the rain
You may be sorry some day that you have broken my heart
And since we must live apart now this is my last appeal
I've only a word to say why did you give me your love dear
When it lasted only a day when it lasted only a day
**********
12.
WHY DID YOU GIVE ME YOUR LOVE
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '29 Peer International, BMI »
Oh why did you give me your love dear when it only lasted a day
Why did you teach me to love you only to turn me away
You promised that you would be true your promis was in all vain
But my heart keeps calling for you dear like the flowers call for the rain
You may be sorry some day dear that you have broken my heart
That you have passed me away dear and fooled me from the start
Now this is my last appeal dear I've only a word to say
Why did you give me your love dear when it lasted only a day
When it lasted only a day
**********
13.
PISTOL PACKIN' PAPA
(Jimmie Rodgers - Waldo Lafayette O'Neal)
« © '30 Peer International, BMI »
I'm a pistol packin' papa and when I walk down the streets
You can hear those mamas shoutin' don't turn your gun on me
Now girls I'm just a good guy and I'm going to have my fun
And if you don't want to smell my smoke don't monkey with my gun
[ yodel ]
Like a hobo when he's hungry like a drunkman when he's full
I'm a pistol packin' papa I know how to shoot the bull
The whole of men don't hold me and they sure leave me be
I'm a pistol packin' papa and I ramble where I please
[ yodel ]
When I have that funny feeling that luring rambles call
I swing aboard of some freight train and I shoot my pistol low
Sometimes one shot will do near sometimes it takes four or five
Sometimes I shoot all around before I'm satisfied
When you hear my pistol puffing you better hide yourself someplace
Cause I ain't made for stopping and I come for a shootin' race
[ yodel ]
My sweetheart understands me she says I'm her big shot
I'm her pistol packin' daddy and I know I've got to drop
You can hear my Newsport roadster you can take my Hartford hat
But you can never take from me my silver mounted gut
I'm a pistol packin' papa I'm going to have my fun
Just follow me and you will hear the barking of my gun
[ yodel ]
**********
14.
WHY SHOULD I BE LONELY
(Jimmie Rodgers - Estelle Lowell)
« © '30 Peer International, BMI »
Oh the moon light's so bright makes me lonely tonight
Everything seems to make me feel blue here
I'm down hearted now I'm lonesome somehow
Cause you are proving untrue
Why sould I be so lonely why should I be sad
Though another is taking from me the best pal I've ever had
She's taking the sunshine with her leaving the clouds for me
But why should I be so lonesome when there's nobody lonesome for me
Oh the violets so blue are calling for roses so sweet make me lonely
They bring to my mind a sweet happy time when your love was only for me
Why sould I be so lonely...
[ yodel ]
**********
15.
TAKE ME BACK AGAIN
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '30 Peer International, BMI »
Sweetheart the end bring back today when you held me with your charms
And bound me with a vow of love as I nestled in your arms
I miss you since you went away and sing to you sweetheart
Darling forgive my erring ways for I've loved from the start
Oh take me back again sweetheart please take me back again
I hope and pray to hear you say I'll take you back again
And if you'll tell me no sweetheart my heart will break with pain
To you alone I make this pleae please take me back again
[ steel - yodel ]
Oh take me back again sweetheart...
**********
16.
THOSE GAMBLER'S BLUES
(Jimmie Rodgers)
« © '30 Peer International, BMI »
Ooh hou hey hey hey hou hey
It was down in Big Kid's barroom on a corner beyond the square
Everybody drinking liquor the regular crowd was there
I walked down on the sidewalk began walking around
I looked everywhere I thought she'd be but my baby couldn't be found
I passed by the Big Ed's finery I heard my sweetheart moan
Gee it hurts me to see you here cause you know you used to be my own
I go on out to see a doctor your gal is low he said
I went back to see my baby good God she was lying there dead
Hey hou hou hou hey ooh ooh ooh
Hey hou hou hou hou hey hou hey
So I stolled on back to the barroom I drank good whiskey till night
Cause it hurt me so to see my gal lying there so cold so white
She's gone she's gone God bless her she's mine wherever she may be
She has rambled this wild world over but she never found a pal like me
Sixteen coal black horses all standing in line
In that pretty buggy she's riding goodbye old gal of mine
**********
17.
MY BLUE EYED JANE
(Jimmie Rodgers - Lullu Belle White)
« © '30 Peer International, BMI »
The sweetest girl in the world is my blue eyed Jane
We fell in love like turtle dove while the moon was shining down
I asked her then I asked her when the wedding bells would ring
She said oh dear it seems so clear that this could happen here
You are my little pal and I never knew a sweeter gal
My little blue eyed Jane I love you so
And when the sun goes down and the shadow's creeping over town
Just meet me in the lane my blue eyed Jane
Jannie dear listen here I've come to say farewell
The world is drear without you dear but now I cannot linger here
I'm going away this very day oh please come go with me
I'll be sad and blue I'm wanting you longing all day through
My blue eyed Jane you'll always be the same sweet thing
I know you'll never change I love you so
And when the sun goes down and the shadow's creeping over town
Then I'll come back again my blue eyed Jane
And when the sun goes down...
**********