"I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water" is a song written / arranged by Austin Powell in 1939.
The song was recorded by Powell's group The Cats and the Fiddle.
Austin Powell's arrangement was based on a traditional blues-song.
Most subsequent versions of this song follow the Austin Powell arrangement:
Lou Rawls 1962, Aretha Franklin 1965, Electric Flag 1968 and Johnny Taylor 1969 to name a few.
Austin Powell's 1939 arrangement was obviously based on earlier versions of this traditional:
(o) Amos (=Bumble Bee Slim) (1934) (as "Muddy Water Blues")
Amos Easton, voc; unknown, p; prob. Carl Martin, poss. Big Bill Broonzy, g
Recorded October 27, 1934 in Chicago, IL;
Released in 1934 on on the B-side of Bluebird B5862 (as by Amos)
Re-released in 1936 on Bluebird B6586 (as by Bumble Bee Slim)
I worked all the time worked four to four
I'm goinn hummin, you close the door
That's all right woman, in the old way you do
If it had to be for you baby, i would lead you to do
I'd rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log
and to let you spend my money and treat my like a dog
I've given you baby, my trembling hand
here's one thing honey, that you must understand
I ain't drinkin whiskey, ain't drinkin wine.
I'm gettin you so baby now, keepin all your mind.
I'd rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log
and to let you spend my money and treat my like a dog
Yes yes yo baby, as one and one is two.
Someday I'll have money and seems tough to date like you
I love you baby, but I hate the way you do
Goodbye darling, farewell to you
If I drank muddy water, sleep in a hollow log.
Well I won't be here and treated like a dog
Listen here:
Or here
Another precursor of Austin Powell's "Id Rather Drink Muddy Water" was a version from 1936.
(c) Jimmie Gordon (1936) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
(CREDITED to JIMMIE GORDON )
Recorded October 26, 1936 in Chicago.
Released on Decca 7250
You don't know, you don't know my mind
what's the need of treating you so nice and kind
What's the need of being somebody's fool
And they treat you just like a Georgia mule.
I'd rather drink muddy water
Sleep in a hollow log
Mmm, this fast life is killing me
Seems like that fast life won't let me be
Drinking good whiskey all of my days
Seems like this whiskey gonna take me to my grave
I'd rather drink muddy water
Sleep in a hollow log
You can shake it, you can brake it, you can sort out by the wall
Run around to the window and catch that B 44
There was no lady by the name of Sister Sue
She sugared so fast, she didn't know what to do
I'd rather drink muddy water
Sleep in a hollow log
I give you my money to buy you shoes and clothes
If you mess around out to the county mize you go
Buy you a coffin, I'll even get you a trout
Get you some nice place just to lay your body down
I'd rather drink muddy water
Sleep in a hollow log
I'd rather see my coffin come rollin in my door
Finally got our love to said she don't want me no more
Feelin sad and lonely, feelin so blue
Haven't got nobody just to take my troubles to
I'd rather drink muddy water
Sleep in a hollow log
Listen here:
Or here:
On July 28, 1935 Eddie Miller was in fact the first one to record a version titled "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water". It was recorded in Chicago for the Bluebird-label, but was not issued.
More than one year later Miller recorded a version that was released on Melotone.
It was almost identical to the Jimmie Gordon version on Decca above.
(c) Eddie Miller (1937) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
Written (adapted ?) by Eddie Miller
Recorded November 12, 1936 in Chicago
Released on Perfect 7-02-60 and Melotone 7-02-60
Early in the morning at the break of day
I grabbed the pillow where my baby got laid
Feeling sad and lonely feeling blue
I ain't got no woman to tell my troubles to
I'd rather drink muddy water or
Sleep in a hollow log
You don't know, you don't know my mind
Part of this fella treats you nice and kind
What's the use of being somebody's fool
They gonna treat you like some old Georgia mule.
I'd rather drink muddy water or
Sleep in a hollow log
I give you my money to buy you shoes and clothes
I'll catch you messin around after the coffin you go
Pay for your coffin daddy pay for your trout
Pay for the undertaker to lay your dead body down
I'd rather drink muddy water or
Sleep in a hollow log
Whip it took my baby you may hang it on the wall
Thought I'd be run dow with that 44
I had no lady by the name of Sue
She sugared so much, great God these nurses do
I'd rather drink muddy water
Sleep in a hollow log
Oooo, fast life is killing me
Seems as the fast life just won't let me be
Seem that fast life gonna follow me all my days
Seem that fast life gonna follow me to my grave
I'd rather drink muddy water or
Sleep in a hollow log
Listen here:
Or here:
(c) Bumble Bee Slim (1937) (as "Bumble Bee's New Muddy Water")
(CREDITED to EDDIE MILLER !)
Recorded June 10, 1937 in Chicago.
Released on Perfect 7-08-74
Tell me when you're comin back in town to stay
And tell me why do you have to go away
One of these mornings and it won't be long
You gonna call me and I'll be gone
I would rather drink muddy water
Sleep out in the hollow log
You know you gotta harm like it's all out of doors
You find your diamonds and you stole my gloves
Slippin and slidin down the streets of main
And there I stand, afraid to call your name
I'd rather drink muddy water
Sleep out in the hollow log
Mmmmm, if I lose my mind
Wonder would she be, thought of nice and kind.
What's the use of going to the county jail
Doing a game of time for no good friends
I would rather drink muddy water
Sleep out in the hollow log
All the cops in town tell the judge that I'm wrong
Send me to the jail, just where I belong
Got no friends to call on the stand
Got no one to lend me a helping hand.
I would rather drink muddy water
Sleep out in the hollow log
Gee, strong drinks is killing me
Seems as though strong drinks just won't let me be
Seems like strong drinks follow me all my days
Seems like strong drinks gonna tear me to my grave
I would rather drink muddy water
Sleep out in the hollow log
Listen here:
Or here:
(c) Merline Johnson (1937) (as "New Muddy Water Blues")
(CREDITED to MERLINE JOHNSON)
Eddie Miller: piano
Recorded May 4, 1937
Released on Bluebird B 6985
Listen here:
1 month later Merline Johnson became famous as The Yas Yas Girl and was labelled as such on subsequent releases of her records.
(c) The Yas Yas Girl (=Merline Johnson) (1937) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water, No. 2")
(CREDITED to EDDIE MILLER !)
Recorded June 9, 1937 in Chicago.
Released on Melotone 7-09-66, Conqueror 8922 and Vocalion 03638
The Yas Yas Girl* - Blues Everywhere / I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water, No. 2 (1937, Shellac) | Discogs
Listen here:
(c) Willie Mae (=Billie McKenzie) (1937) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
Eddie Miller: piano
(It was almost identical to the 1936 Eddie Miller version on Melotone).
Recorded December 3, 1936 in Chicago.
Released on Vocalion 03404
Listen here:
(c) Cats & The Fiddle (1940) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
Written (adapted ?) by Austin Powell.
Recorded June 27, 1939 in Chicago
Released May 1940 on Bluebird 8402
The Cats And The Fiddle - Chant Of The Rain / I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water (1940, Shellac) | Discogs
Babe, we got to have a little talk
I ought to pack up my things and walk
I know a dollar goes from hand to hand
Before I met you, go from man to man
I'd rather drink muddy water or
Sleep in a hollow log
Working for you just like a Georgia mule
My friends laughed and they called me a fool
Your kisses are as sweet as can be
Before I'll let you make a sap out of me
I'd rather drink muddy water or
Sleep in a hollow log
Love you baby but you won't be fair
You don't know how to be on the square
Have your fun baby if you must
Before I'll have a woman, that I can't trust
I'd rather drink muddy water or
Sleep in a hollow log
Listen here:
The only artist to hit the charts with his version was Grant Jones. His version, credited to Amos Eastman, closely follows "Bumble Bee's New Muddy Water" (1937).
(c) Grant Jones with Brown's Blues Blowers (1949) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water (And Sleep in a Hollow Log)").
Recorded September 13, 1950
Released on Decca 48192 (Top 10 R&B USA)
Listen here:
(c) Lou Rawls (1962) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
Following the Cats and the Fiddle version written by Austin Powell.
BUT CREDITED to EDDIE MILLER !!
Released on the album "Stormy Monday".
Listen here:
(c) Aretha Franklin (1965) (as "Muddy Water")
(WRONGLY CREDITED to Peter DeRose/Harry Richman/Jo Trent !!!!)
Recorded February 10, 1965 live In New York
Released on the album "Yeah!".
Listen here:
(c) B.B. King (1965) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
Following the Cats and the Fiddle version written by Austin Powell.
BUT CREDITED to EDDIE MILLER !!
B.B. King (v,g), Carl Adams (tp), John Watson (tb), Lawrence Burdine (as), Vernon Slater (ts), Johnny Board (bs), Duke Jethro (org), Leo Blevins (g), Leo Lauchie (b), Sonny Freeman (d), unknown (p)
Recorded June 24,1965 in Chicago IL
Released on ABC Paramount 10754.
Listen here:
(c) Electric Flag (1968) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
Mike Bloomfield playing the guitar and Buddy Miles singing.
Recorded May 18, 1968 live at the Carousel Ballroom, San Francisco, CA.
Listen here:
(c) Johnny Taylor (1968) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
Following the Cats and the Fiddle version written by Austin Powell.
BUT CREDITED to EDDIE MILLER !!
Released on the album "Who's Making Love"
(c) Steve Cropper (1971) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
Instrumental version, released on his album "With A Little Help From My Friends"
Listen here:
(c) Junior Parker (1972) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
From the album I Tell Stories Sad And True from 1972
Listen here:
(c) Joe Williams (1992) (as "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water")
Following the Cats and the Fiddle version written by Austin Powell.
BUT CREDITED to EDDIE MILLER !!
Recorded November 20, 1992 live at the Orchestra Hall in Detroit .
Listen here:
More versions here:
"I'd rather drink muddy water, sleep in a hollow log" was also a line in Jimmie Rodgers's "Blue Yodel #1 (T For Texas)"
And 1 year earlier the same line was contained in Papa Freddie's "Muddy Water Blues"
(o) Papa Freddie (1926) (as "Muddy Water Blues")
Freddie Spruell, voc, g
Recorded November 17, 1926 in Chicago, IL;
Released on Okeh 8422-A
I know you heard the story, listen now, people, I know you heard the song
I know you heard the story, listen now, people, I know you heard the song
I mean I drank muddy water, mean, shivered, now, the whole night long
I'd rather drink muddy water, rather sleep in a real hollow log
I'd rather drink muddy water, rather sleep in a real hollow log
Baby, now before I'd stay with you and let you treat me like you drive your dog
"Now, daddy, daddy, daddy, listen, turn your lights down low."
She 'lowed as, "Daddy, daddy, daddy, now listen, turn your lights down low."
"I got somethin' good to tell you", she 'lowed as, "daddy just before you go."
"Put your hat on my dresser, and put your shoes, daddy, now, under my bed."
"Put your hat on my dresser, and put your shoes, daddy, now, under my bed."
"Use your arm for my pillow, daddy, just to hold your little old worried head."
Listen to, "Hooo, baby, now, how long, how long?"
"Baby, hooo", listen to, "Baby, now how long, how long?"
"I mean I'd rather drink muddy water, baby, 'cause you know you sure have done me wrong."
"I'd rather drink muddy water, I'd rather wade muddy water, too."
"I'd rather drink muddy water, and I'd rather wade muddy water, too."
"Now, before that I'd stay with you, and take these low-down dirty things you do."
Listen here:
The second verse of Papa Freddie's "Muddy Water Blues" was also used in Eddie Condon's "Makin' Frien's".
(c) Eddie Condon and his Footwarmers (1928) (as "Makin' Frien's")
Recorded in October 30, 1928 in New York
Released on Okeh 41142
"I'd rather drink muddy water, Lord, sleep in a hollow log
I'd rather drink muddy water, Lord, sleep in a hollow log
Then to be away up here in New York, treated like a dirty dog"
Listen here (at 1 min and 20 seconds in the next YT)
PS: NOT to be confused with Harry Richman's "Muddy Water"
