Posted by John D.
on September 30, 2008, 9:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Matchbox Blues Lyrics"
71.251.25.216
Note that although these recordings were made
within a 2-month span, only 2 verses are repeated
in each version. I count 14 separate verses!!!
- compare also, of course with Rabbit Foot Blues,
and I think there's a bit of commonality with
some RJ tunes.
MATCH BOX BLUES by Blind Lemon Jefferson
Take 1 14 March 1927 Atlanta – OK8455
Up on the river, mama, I walked down by the sea
Up on the river, I walked down by the sea
I got those tadpoles and minnows, arguin’ over me
Settin' here wonderin' would a matchbox hold my clothes
I'm settin' here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes
I ain't got so many matches but I got so far to go
Lord, Mama, who may your manager be?
Hey, hey, Mama, who may your manager be?
Reason I ask so many questions can't you make friends with poor me
I got a girl 'cross town she crochet all the time
I got a girl 'cross town crochet all the time
Baby, if you don’t quit crocheting, you’re going to lose your mind
I wouldn’t mind marrying, but I can’t stand settling down
I don’t mind marrying, but Lord, settling down
I’m going to act like a preacher so I can ride from town to town.
I’m leaving town, cryin won’t make me stay
I’m leaving town, hey, cryin won’t make me stay
Babe, the more you cry, the further you drive me away
Take 2 April 1927 NYC - (Paramount 4424)
I'm settin' here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes
I'm settin' here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes
I don't got so many matches but I got so far to go
Woman 'cross town wanna be my teddy bear
Girl 'cross town wanna be my teddy bear
Put a string on me and I'll follow you everywhere
I have a peg leg woman man she can't hardly get outdoors
I say a peg leg woman just can't hardly get outdoors
I [l???]…. and I'm sellin' jellyroll
I just don't see why these women treats me so mean
I don't see why these gals treat me so mean
Sometime I think I'm some man these women ain't never seen
Well I got up this morning with my sho' 'nuff on my mind
Got up this mornin' same thing on my mind
The woman I love she keep a good man workin' all the time
Now tell me mama who may your manager be
Now tell me who may your manager be
Reason I ask so many questions can't you make friends with poor me
Take 3 April 1927 NYC Paramount 4446
I'm settin' here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes
I'm settin' here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes
I ain't got so many matches but I got so far to go
Now tell, mama who may your manager be
Oh, Mama, who may your manager be
Reason I ask so many questions can't you make friends with poor me
I got a girl 'cross town she crochet all the time
I got a girl 'cross town crochets all the time
Mama, if you don’t quit crocheting, you’re going to lose your mind.
I can’t count the times I stole away and cryin’
I can’t count the times, I stole away and cryin’
It’s a burden on me, the same things all the time
If you want your lover, you better pin her to your side
I say, If you want your baby, pin her to your side
If you drag my train, papa never saw[??] let her ride
Ain’t seen my good gal, in three long weeks today
Ain’t seen my good gal, in three long weeks today
Girl, it’s been so long, seems like my heart goin’ break
Well excuse me mama for knocking your door,
Well excuse me mama for knocking your door,
My mind’s going to change, I ain’t lovin’ my gal no more
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