vrijdag 24 juli 2020

AAB Blues Pattern / 12 Bar Blues


“AAB” Song Form, also called 12 Bar Blues Song Form is one of the main traditional song forms. Both names are regularly used by songwriters to describe this song form

The 12 bar structure used in the AAB pattern is a very common structure in blues music. Many Blues songs are structured using the AAB format. Unlike AAA or AABA song forms, which describe the overall structure of the song, AAB describes the structure of an individual verse. AAB is always used as a compound form 12 bar relates to the number of bars, or measures, in this song form. Almost all Blues music is written in a 4/4 time signature, i.e. there are four beats in every measure or bar with each quarter note (crotchet) being equal to one beat. There are a lot of rock and other blues derived songs that use 12 bar song form, it's derivatives, or a hybrid or compound form involving AAB.

The AAB A Section
In 12 bar blues, the first and second lines (the two A sections) are often a identical in terms of both the lyrics and the melody. Often the A sections forms a question or makes a statement.

The AAB B Section (the Refrain)
AAB form doesn't have a chorus section. The last line or third 4-bar section is the refrain. The major hook of the song often makes use of the song title. The main hook is commonly a part of the refrain. The refrain often forms a response or answer to the question, or a comment on any statements, made in the previous A sections. The refrain ends with a cadence or half cadence. When leading to another verse one of many standard "turnaround" transitions are used.



Well here are the songs:
(songs with a similar melody I have given the same letter and consecutive numbers: A1, A2 etc.)

To begin with, a song written by Alberta Hunter and Lovie Austin. Originally recorded by Alberta Hunter in 1922 and covered by blues singer Bessie Smith in 1923 as her first single and biggest succes.



(A1) Alberta Hunter (1922) (as "Down Hearted Blues")
Recorded July 1922 in New York City
Released on Paramount 12005





Gee, but it's hard to love someone, when that someone don't love you
I'm so disgusted, heartbroken too, I've got the downhearted blues
Once I was crazy about a man, he mistreated me all the time
The next man I get, he's got to promise to be mine, all mine 

'Cause you mistreated me and you drove me from your door (2x)
But the Good Book says you reap just what you sow 

'Cause I'm trouble, just like I've had it all my days (2x) 
Sometimes I think trouble will follow me to my grave 

Now I ain't never loved but three men in my life (2x) 
There's my father, my brother, and the man that wrecked my life 

Well it may be a week, and it may be a month or two (2x) 
All those days you turned from me, honey, it's comin' back home to you 

I've got the world in a jug, and the stopper right there in my hand (2x) 
You want me to quit it, papa, you've got to come under my command

Listen here:




Next up a song written by Sara Martin and Clarence Williams. Originally recorded by Sara Martin in 1922 and covered by Bessie Smith in 1923.

(B1) Sara Martin (1922) (as "Mama's Got the Blues")
Recorded December 14, 1922
Released on Okeh 8045



Some people say, the weary blues, they ain't sad (2x)
But it's the worst old feeling that I ever had.

Woke up this morning, blues all around my bed (2x)
Didn't have no daddy to hold my aching head.

The man that I love, he was a teasing brown (2x)
Strictly tailor made, he was no hand-me-down.

But brown-skinned men are deceitful and yellow men are worse (2x)
Going to get me a black man, and play safety first.

Oh, you can never tell, what's on a brown-skinned man's mind (2x)
They'll be hugging and kissing you, and quittin' you all the time.

Listen here:




(C1) Monette Moore (1923) (as "Best Friend Blues")
Recorded January 1923 in New York City
Released on Paramount 12015





I'm so worried, I could sleep
All my hopes are shattered, my laughs are dreams
Everything around seems so gloomy and black
I’ll go insane if I don't get my daddy back
He left me for a friend of mine
I thought this friend was cool So listen and I'll tell to you

Your friends just treat you handsome, oh so nice and sweet (2x)
And if you watch real close, you’ll see your daddy and your best friend wink

I'm not preaching a sermon, let me tell you something new (2x)
You've been requiting your faith and take your man from you

I'll say this about a woman who loves another woman's man (2x)
She can’t tell you when she wants him, you’ll have to take him when she can't [Instrumental Break]

Now let me tell you what happens in every town (2x)
She’ll get your man in her possession, your friend will break hearts all down

And if any of you girls think I'm fooling you (2x)
Just take your friend for your [buddy?] you'll find that everyone loves you

Listen here:




Than a song written by Clarence Williams. Originally recorded by Monette Moore in 1923 and covered by Bessie Smith in 1923.


(c) Monette Moore (1923)  (as "Gulf Coast Blues")
Recorded January 1923 in New York City
Released on Paramount 12030





I've been blue all day My man has gone away
He left his mama cold For another girl, I'm told
I tried to treat him kind I thought he would be mine
That man I hate to lose That's why mama’s got the blues  

The man I love, he has done left this town (2x)
And if it keeps on snowing, I'll be Gulf Coast bound

The mailman passed, but he didn't leave no news (2x)
I'll tell the world he left me with those Gulf Coast blues

Some of you men sure do make me tired (2x)
You've got a handful of "gimme," a mouthful of "much obliged"

Listen here:




(B2) Alberta Hunter (1923) (as "Chirpin' the Blues")
Recorded February 1923 in New York City
Released on Paramount 12017




I woke up this mornin', heard somebody calling me (2x)
My man had packed his grip, said he was leaving for Tennessee

Lord, I'm crying all night and all the night before (2x)
Gonna change my way of living so I won't have to cry no more

Lord, I'm worried now but I won't be worried long (2x)
It takes a worried woman to chirp this worried song

Now if I had wings and could fly like Noah's dove (2x)
I'd hoist my wings and land right on the man I love

Lord, I'm motherless, fatherless, I'm sisterless, and I'm brotherless too (Play that thing, boy) (2x) That's the reason why I've tried to get along with you

If the blues were whiskey, I'd stay drunk all the time (2x)
'Til the man I love would ease my troubled mind

Listen here:




Than a song written by Ida Cox. Originally recorded by Ida Cox in 1923 and covered by Bessie Smith in 1923.

(B3) Ida Cox (1923) (as "Graveyard (Dream) Blues")
Recorded June 1923 in Chicago
Released on Paramount 12044





Blues on my mind, blues all around my bed (2x)
I had a dream last night the man I love was dead

I went to the graveyard, fell down on my knees (2x)
I asked the gravedigger to give me back my good man please

The gravedigger looked me in my eye (2x)
Said, "Sorry for you lady, your man's said his last goodbye"

I was so worried, I wanted to scream (2x)
But when I woke up I found it was only a dream

Listen here:




(C2) Ida Cox (1923) (as "Bama Bound Blues")
Recorded June 1923 in Chicago
Released on Paramount 12045


Mister Engineer, please, turn your train around (2x)
I believe to my soul, my man is 'Bama bound 

Take me back, daddy, try me one more time (2x)
And, if I don't please you, break my neck for tryin' 

But, the train passed by, with my daddy all inside (2x)
I could do nothing but hang my head and I cried 

Hey, hey

My mama told me, my papa told me, too (2x)
Some brown-skinned man is gonna be the death of you

I'm 'Bama bound, ain't got no railroad fare (2x)
If the blues don't leave me, I'll walk the railroad back

Listen here:




(B4) Lucille Bogan (1923) (as "Lonesome Daddy Blues")
Recorded June 1923 in New York City
Released on Okeh 8074


Listen here:




(A2) Lucille Bogan (1930) (as "Sloppy Drunk Blues")


Listen here:




Lucille Bogan's most famous song with the AAB blues pattern is "Black Angel Blues",


Covered by Tampa Red in 1934 and by BB King in 1956 as "Sweet Little Angel".




(c) Lucille Bogan (1931) (as "Black Angel Blues")


Listen here:





(c) Sippie Wallace (1923)  (as "Shorty George Blues")
Recorded October 26, 1923 in Chicago
Released on Okeh 8106




I wrote a letter and mailed it in the air (2x)
You can tell by that I've got a man somewhere 

I want all you women to stricktly understand (2x(
Ever man wear overalls ain't no monkey man

But soon one morning, lord by the dawn of day (2x)
Some old lonesome woman stole my man away 

So many days Lord so long waiting and  (2x)
Didn't have no blues but I just want some satisfy

Shorty George is the only man that I chose (2x)
He treated me good now I've got the Shorty George Blues".

Listen here:




(D1) Sara Martin (1923) (as "Roamin' Blues")
Recorded November 2, 1923 in New York
Released in January 1924 on Okeh 8104





I've got a mind to ramble, got a mind to leave this town (2x)
I've got to mind my man, that's gone and turned me down

Some women scream high yellow, but give me my brown and black (2x)
That's the only color man that I really like 

Yellow man is evil, brown-skinned man is, too (2x)
I'm gonna get me a black man, drive away the blues

The reason why so many men are wearing overalls today (2x)
Lets women like me, on Saturday night, take their pay

Now if you think I'm lovin' you, you'd better change your mind (2x)
'Cause when you think I'm lovin' you, I'm switchin' you, all the time

Now, just as sure as the train rolls up in the yard (2x)
I'm going so far, take two dollars to send me a postal card

Listen here:





Ma Rainey used the AAB blues pattern from the beginning of her career
Here are a few examples:

(c) Madame "Ma" Rainey (1923) (as "Bad Luck Blues")
Recorded December 1923
Released on Paramount 12081




Hey people, listen while I spread my news (2x)
I wanna tell you people all about my bad luck blues

Did you ever wake up just at the break of day (2x)
With your arms around the pillow where your daddy used to lay

Lord, look where the chump's done gone (2x)
Hey Lord, there's something going all wrong

What's the use of living if you can't get the man you love (2x)
You might as well go die, give your soul to the Maker above

Listen here:





In 1924 Ma Rainey recorded "Booze and Blues", which uses the AAB blues pattern.
Melodically this was based on Johnny Dunn's "Four O'Clock Blues" (1922).
The same melody was used in Blind Blake's "Georgia Bound" (1929), Charley Patton's "Tom Rushen Blues" (1929) and "High Sheriff Blues" (1934) and Robert Johnson's "From Four Till Late" (1937)


(D1) Ma Rainey (1924) (as "Booze and Blues")
Recorded October 15, 1924 in New York City
Released on Paramount 12242




Went to bed last night and I was in my sleep (2x)
Woke up this mornin', the police was shakin' me

I went to the jailhouse, drunk and blue as I could be (2x)
But that cruel old judge sent my man away from me

They carried me to the courthouse, Lordy, how I was cryin' (2x)
They jailed me sixty days in jail and money couldn't pay my fine

Sixty days ain't long if you can spend them as you choose (2x)
But this seems like jail than a cell where there ain't no booze

My life is all a misery when I cannot get my booze (2x)
I spend every dime on liquor, got to have the booze to go with these blues

Listen here:





In 1924 Thomas Dorsey and Everett Murphy composed the classic city-blues piece "Freight Train Blues", according to Norm Cohen, resting firmly on traditional verses.
In 1924 Trixie Smith was the first artist to record this 12 bar blues song.
A few months later Clara Smith (no relation) covered this song and was more successful with it.
In May 1928 at his first recording session for Paramount, Tampa Red recorded a cover-version of "Freight Train Blues", retitled "Though Train Blues".
Mississippi Fred McDowell (1959) and Brownie McGhee (1960) also covered "Freight Train Blues"


(E1) Trixie Smith (1924)  (as "Freight Train Blues")
Recorded May 1924 in New York City
Released on Paramount 12211




I hate to hear that engine blow boo-hoo (2x)
Every time I hear it blowin', I feel like ridin' too

Got the freight train blues, got box cars on my mind (2x)
Gonna leave this town, 'cause my man is so unkind

I'm going away just to worry you off my mind (2x)
And I may be gone honey for a doggone long, long time

I asked the brake man to let me ride the blind (2x)
The brakeman said "Well, you know this train ain't mine"

When a woman gets the blues, she goes to her room and hides (2x)
When a man gets the blues, he catches a freight train and rides

Listen here:





Next up is Blind Blake:
Blind Blake used the AAB blues pattern in the following songs:

Blind Blake's most fasmous song also with the AAB blues pattern is "Police Dog Blues", covered by Ry Cooder a.o.  SEE: The Originals © by Arnold Rypens - POLICE DOG BLUES


(F3) Blind Blake (1929)  (as "Police Dog Blues")
Recorded August 17, 1929 in Richmond, IND
Released on Paramount 12888




All my life I've been a travelin' man (2x)
Stayin' alone and doin' the best I can

I shipped my trunk down to Tennessee (2x)
Hard to tell about a man like me

I met a gal, I couldn't get her off my mind (2x)
She passed me up, said she didn't like my kind

I'm scared to bother around her house at night (2x)
She got a police dog cravin' for a fight

His name is Rambler, when he gets a chance (2x)
He leaves his mark on everybody's pants

Guess I'll travel, I guess I'll let her be (2x)
Before she sicks her police dog on me

Listen here:




Blind Lemon Jefferson also used the AAB blues pattern very often early in his career.
Here are a few examples.

(12) Blind Lemon Jefferson (1926) (as "Got the Blues")
Recorded March 1926 in Chicago
Released on Paramount 12354




Well the blues come to Texas, lopin' like a mule (2x)
You take a high brown woman, man, she's hard to fool

You can't ever tell what a woman's got on her mind (2x)
You might think she's crazy about you, she's leavin' you all the time

She ain't so good lookin', teeth don't shine like pearls (2x)
But that nice disposition carries that woman all through the world

I'm goin' to the river, carry my rocker chair (2x)
Gonna ask that gal from Crowell, how's the worried blues rest here?

Lord, I think I heard my good gal callin' me (2x)
She doesn't call so loud but you hear her say Lemon so plain

I was raised in Texas, schooled in Tennessee (2x)
Said, woman, you can't make no fatmouth outa me

Sayin' a woman acts funny, quittin' you for another bald man (2x)
She don't wanna look at you straight but she's always raisin' sand

Listen here:





In the same year Blind Lemon recorded "Broke and Hungry" which was covered by many artists

(13) Blind Lemon Jefferson (1926) (as "Broke and Hungry")
Recorded November 1926 in Chicago
Released on Paramount 12443




I’m broke and hungry, ragged and dirty too. (2x)
Mama, if I clean up, can I go home with you ?

I’m motherless, fatherless, sister and brotherless too. (2x)
Reason I’ve tried so hard to make this trip with you.

You miss me woman, count the days I’m gone. (2x)
I’m goin’ away to build me a railroad of my own.

I feel like jumpin’ through a keyhole in your door. (2x)
If you jump this time, baby, you won’t jump no more.

I believe my good gal have found my black cat bone. (2x)
I can leave Sunday mornin’, Monday mornin’ I’m slippin’ ‘round home.

I wanna show you women what careless love have done. (2x)
Caused a man like me, steal away from home.

Girl if you don’t want me, why don’t you let me know ? (2x)
So I can leave at once and hunt me somewhere else to go.

Listen here:





The next year Blind Lemon recorded "Black Snake Moan",
which was in fact inspired by Victoria Spivey's "Black Snake Blues"




(14) Blind Lemon Jefferson (1927) (as "Black Snake Moan")
Recorded March 14, 1927 in Atlanta, GA
Released on Okeh 8455




Aaaaah, I ain't got no mama now (2x)
She told me late last night, "You don't need no mama no how"

Mmm, mmm, black snake crawling in my room (2x)
Some pretty mama better come and get this black snake soon

Ohh-oh, that must have been a bed bug Baby, you know chinch can't bite that hard (2x)
Ask my sugar for fifty cents, she said "Lemon, ain't a child in the yard?"

Mama, that's all right, mama that's all right for you (2x)
Said baby, that's all right, most seen all you do

Mmm, mmm, what's the matter now? (2x)
Tell me baby, what's the matter, don't like no black snake no how

Well, wonder where did black snake gone? (2x)
Lord that black snake mama done run my darlin' home

Listen here:





On the B-side of Blind Lemon's "Black Snake Moan" was another influential song: "Match Box Blues", which also used the AAB blues pattern. It was the lyrical inspiration for Carl Perkins' "Matchbox", a.o.



(15) Blind Lemon Jefferson (1927) (as "Match Box Blues")
Recorded March 14, 1927 in Atlanta, GA
Released on Okeh 8455




How far to the river, mama, walk down by the sea (2x)
I got those tadpoles and minnows all in over me

Standing here wonderin' will a matchbox hold my clothes (2x)
I ain't got so many matches but I got so far to go

Lord, Lord, who may your manager be? (2x)
Reason I ask so many questions, can't you make friends match for me?

I got a girl cross town she crochet all the time (or is it "coochies" as in hoochi-coochie?) (2x)
Mama if you don't quit crochet-in you gunna lose your mind

I wouldn'y mind marryin', but I can't stand settlin' down (2x)
I'm gonna act like a preacher so I can ride from town to town

Well, I'm leavin' town, but that won't make me stay (2x)
Baby, the more you cry, the farther you drive me away

Listen here:





Next example is Papa Freddie's "Milk Cow Blues" (1926), which might be a lyrical influence on Kokomo Arnold's "Milk Cow Blues"


(16) Papa Freddie (1926)  (as "Milk Cow Blues")
Recorded June 25, 1926 in Chicago
Released on Okeh 8422



Listen to my story, now, please listen to my song
Can't you imagine how I feel, now, have mercy, my real milk cow gone

She's a full-blood Jersey, I'm gon' tell you boys the way I know (2x)
People just screamin' for my milk cow, I don't care where my Jersey go

I've been on 35th, listen, boys, I've been on 39th (2x)
I rambled the whole South Side o' town tryin' to find this real milk cowr (sic) of mine

She's a full-blood Jersey, I'm gonna tell you boys the way I know (2x)
People just screamin' for my milk cow, I don't care where my milk cow go

Sayin', my bed seem lonesome, my pillow, now it sure won't do (2x)
I wakes up hours of midnight, I really had those milk cow blues

SOLO: 4 Bars
Uhh, baby, listen, hoo-hoo-hoo
Can't you look in my face now, brown, and tell I've got those milk cow blues

Listen, Hiiiiii, sugar, listen, hii-hii-hii (2x)
Can't you imagine how I feel now, I done told my real milk cow bye-bye

Listen here:




Bo Weavil Jackson's "Some Scream High Yellow" is lyrically loosely based on Sara Martin's "Roamin' Blues" (see song # (D1) above)
The melody is similar to Trixie Smith's "Freight Train Blues" (SEE song # (E1) above)

(E2) Bo Weavil Jackson (=Sam Butler) (1926)  ( as "Some Scream High Yellow")           
Recorded in Chicago, c. Oct. 1926
Released on Paramount 12423.



Now, the rolling mill, Good Lord, burnt down last night (2x)
And they ain't shippin' no iron in this town today

I think I will, travelin' on my mind
Sometime, I b'lieve, travelin' on my mind
I ain't got no right to leave, I ain't got no right to change my mind

Now, did you dream lucky and wake up cold in hand? (2x)
Then you'll want to see some good gal, ah, ain't got no man

Now, sometime I think I will, again I think that I won't (2x)
Sometime I think that I do, Lord, then I think that I don't

Mmmmmmm, mmmmmm, mmmmmmm
Mmmmmmm, mmmmmm, mmmmmmm
Sometime I think that I will, and then I think that I won't

Some screamin' high yella, I screams black or brown (2x)
'Cause high yella may mistreat you but black won't turn you down

Mama, I got a notion, honey, and I believe I will
I got a notion, mama, and I believe that I will
Catch a long jumpin' Judy and go on across the hill

Listen here:




In 1927 Bessie Smith "wrote" "Back water Blues", but it is in fact a melodical blueprint of Trixie Smith's "Freight Train Blues" (SEE song # (E1) above)


(E3) Bessie Smith (1927) (as "Back-Water Blues")
Recorded February 17, 1927
Released on Columbia 14195-D




When it rained five days and the sky turned dark as night (2x)
Then trouble's takin' place in the lowlands at night

I woke up this mornin', can't even get out of my door (2x)
There's enough trouble to make a poor girl wonder where she wanna go

Then they rowed a little boat about five miles cross the pond (2x)
I packed all my clothes, throwed 'em in and they rowed me along

When it thunders and lightnin' and the wind begins to blow (2x)
There's thousands of people ain't got no place to go

And I went and stood up on some high old lonesome hill (2x)
Then looked down on the house were I used to live

Backwater blues done called me to pack my things and go (2x)
'Cause my house fell down and I can't live there no more

Mmm, I can't move no more (2x)
There ain't no place for a poor old girl to go

Listen here:




(H1) Walter Rhodes with "Pet" and "Can" (1927)  (as "The Crowing Rooster")
Walter Rhodes, voc, voc effects, accordion;
'Pet' and 'Can' (Maylon and Richard Harney). g, sp
Recorded December 10, 1927 in Memphis, Tenn.;
Released on Columbia 14289-D



Going to buy me a rooster : put him in my back door (2x)
See a stranger coming : he'll flap his wings and crow

What you want with a rooster : he won't crow 'fore day (2x)
What you want with a woman : won't do nothing she say

What you want with a hen : won't cackle when she lay (2x)
What you want with a man : won't do nothing he say

Going to take my picture : hang it up against the wall (2x)
And if I ask you what about it : daddy that's all that's all

I'll take my picture : put it in a frame (2x)
So if I die : you can see me just the same

I know my dog : anywhere I hear him bark (2x)
I can tell my baby : if I see her in the dark

Listen here:




More than 18 months later Charley Patton made an exact copy of "Crowing Rooster" and retitled it "Banty Rooster Blues"

(H2) Charley Patton (1929)  (as "Banty Rooster Blues")
Recorded June 14, 1929 in Richmond, IND
Released on Paramount 12792-B




I'm gonna buy me a banty, put him at my backdoor (2x)
So when he see a stranger a-comin', he'll flap his wings and crow

What you want with a rooster, he won't crow 'fore day? (2x)
What you want with a man, when he won't do nothin' he say?

What you want with a hen won't, cackle when she lays? (2x)
What you want with a woman, when she won't do nothin' I say?

Ah, take my picture, hang it up in Jackson wall (2x)
Anybody asks you "What about it", tell 'em "That's all I saw"

My hook's in the water, and my cork's on top (2x)
How can I lose, Lord, with the help I got

I know my dog anywhere I hear him bark (2x)
I can tell my rider, if I feel her in the dark

Listen here:



In 1961 Howlin Wolf recorded "Little Red Rooster", which uses the AAB blues pattern, and also uses elements from "Crowing Rooster"/"Banty Rooster" and from Memphis Minnie's "If You See My Rooster (Please Run Him Home)"

Some of the lyrics to Memphis Minnie's 1936 acoustic combo blues "If You See My Rooster (Please Run Him Home)" are similar with Howlin Wolf's "Red Rooster"
For example, she sings "If you see my rooster, please run 'im on back home", while Howlin Wolf uses "If you see my little red rooster, please drive 'im home".
"Crowing Rooster"/"Banty Rooster", contains the verses "What you want with a rooster, he won't crow 'fore day" and "I know my dog anywhere I hear him bark", which are analogous to Howlin Wolf's "I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow 'fore day" and "Oh the dogs begin to bark".




In 1928 Noah Lewis "wrote" "Minglewood Blues" with the familiar AAB blues pattern and a melody, that turned up in a.o. "New Minglewood Blues" and "Roll and Tumble Blues"

(K1) Cannon's Jug Stompers (1928)  (as "Minglewood Blues")
Gus Cannon, bj, jug; Ashley Thompson, g, voc; Noah Lewis, hca
Recorded January 30, 1928 at Memphis Auditorium in Memphis, Tenn;
Released on Victor 21267



Don't you never let one woman worry your mind (2)
Then she keep you worried, worried all the time

Don't you wish your Sarah was little and cute like mine (2)
She's a married woman but she comes to see me some time

Don't you never let your woman rule your mind (2)
She keep you troubled, worried all the time

Well I got a letter, lord, you ought to heard it read (2)
If you're coming back baby now be on your way

Listen here:




More than 1 year later Hambone Willie Newbern "wrote" "Roll and Tumble Blues", using the melody and AAB blues pattern of  "Minglewood Blues" (SEE song # (K1)

(K2) Hambone Willie Newbern (1929)  (as "Roll And Tumble Blues")
Recorded on March 14, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia
Released on Okeh 8679




And I rolled and I tumbled and I cried the whole night long (2x)
And I rosed this morning mama and I didn't know right from wrong

Did you ever wake up and find your dough‑roller gone (2x)
And you wrings your hands and you cry the whole day long

And I told my woman Lord [just] before I left her town (2x)
Don't she let nobody tear her barrelhouse down

And I fold my arms Lord and I [slowly] walked away (2x)
Says that's all right sweet mama your trouble going to come some day

Listen here:





When he was 15 years of age, Sleepy John Estes and family moved to Brownsville, Tennessee. Brownsville was also home to his cousin, Hambone Willie Newbern, an important early influence.
So Estes probably reworked Newbern's "Roll And Tumble Blues" and wrote some new words.

(K3) Sleepy John Estes (1929)  (as "The Girl I Love She Got Long Curly Hair") 
Sleepy John Estes (vocals and guitar), Yank Rachell (vocals), Johnnie Hardge (piano)
Recorded September 24, 1929 in Memphis, TEN.
Released on Victor V-38549-B



Now, I'm goin' to Brownsville an take that right hand road (2x)
Lord, I ain't gon' stop walkin' 'till I get in sweet mama's do'

Now, the girl I'm lovin' she got the great, long, curly hair (2x)
An her mama an her papa they sho' don't 'llow me there

If you catch my duffel hangin' upside yo' wall (2x)
Now, you know by that, babe I need my ashes hauled

Now, what cha' gon do, babe yo' doughroller gone? (2x)
Go in yo' kitchen, Lordy cook until she comes.

Listen here:




Robert Johnson's "Kind Hearted Blues" was composed as if in answer to "Cruel Hearted Woman Blues" by Bumble Bee Slim (Amos Easton), which in turn was based on "Mean Mistreater Mama" by Leroy Carr accompanied by Scrapper Blackwell. 
The melody is similar to Trixie Smith's "Freight Train Blues" (SEE song # (E1) above), Bo Weavil Jackson's "Some Scream High Yellow" (SEE song # (E2) above) and Bessie Smith's "Back Water Blues" (SEE song # (E3) above)


(E7) Leroy Carr and Scapper Blackwell (1934) (as "Mean Mistreater Mama")
Recorded February 20, 1934, St.Louis, MO
Released on Vocalion 02657





You're a mean mistreating mama and you don't mean me no good (2x)
And I don't blame you baby I'd be the same way if I could

You say you're going to leave me well you say you going away (2x)
That's all right baby maybe you'll come back home some day

Now you're a mean mistreater and you mistreats me all the time (2x)
I tried to love you baby swear but you won't pay that no mind

Can you remember mama in the morning I knocked upon your door?
You had the nerve to tell me that you didn't want me no more
Can you remember baby when I knocked upon your door?
You had the nerve to tell me that you didn't want me no more

Ain't it lonesome sleeping all by yourself?
When the one that you love is loving someone else
Ain't it lonesome sleeping by yourself?
When the one that you love baby is loving someone else

Listen here:





(E8) Bumble Bee Slim (1934) (as "Cruel Hearted Woman Blues" part 1 and part 2)
Recorded September 6, 1934 in Chicago
Released on Decca 7021




You's a cruel-hearted woman, when you treat me like a slave (2x)
You keep me fallin' down on my bending knee

Now, you're going away and leave me, it will have to be okay  (2x)
I can't do nothing but squeeze my time away

You's a cruel-hearted woman, when you just can't realise (2x)
That's all right baby, I do the same way when I'd lie

Do you remember one mornin', when the lights was burnin' low
You give me my clothes and you drove me from your door
Do you remember when the lights was burnin' low
You give me my clothes and drove me from your door

Don't your house seem lonesome sleeping by yourself?
When the one that you love is loving someone else
Don't your house seem lonesome sleeping by yourself?
When the one that you love is loving someone else

Listen here:





(E9) Robert Johnson (1936) (as "Kind Hearted Woman Blues")
Recorded on November 23, 1936, San Antonio, Texas.
Released on Vocalion 03416



I got a kindhearted woman, do anything in this world for me (2x)
But these evil-hearted women, man, they will not let me be

I love my baby, my baby don't love me (2x)
But I really love that woman, can't stand to leave her be

Ain't but the one thing, makes Mister Johnson drink
I's worried about how you treat me, baby, I begin to think
Oh, babe, my life don't feel the same
You breaks my heart, when you call Mister So-and-So's name

She's a kindhearted woman, she studies evil all the time (2x)
You well's to kill me, as to have it on your mind

Listen here:





Canned Heat, who were early blues enthusiasts, based "Going Up the Country" on "Bull Doze Blues", recorded in 1928 by Texas bluesman Henry Thomas.
Lyrical inspiration came possibly from Texas Alexander's "Farm Hand Blues" (1927), Blind Willie McTell's "Statesboro Blues" (1928) and maybe Sippie Wallace's "Up the Country Blues" (1923), all three consisting of the complete first line from Canned Heat's "Going Up the Country".
Joe "Wingy" Mannone's "Up the Country Blues" (1927) and Barbecue Bob's "Goin' Up The Country" (1928) might also be lyrical inspiration for Canned Heat.





(E4) Joe Mannone's Harmony Kings (1927) (as "Up the Country Blues")
Recorded April 11, 1927 in New Orleans
Released on Columbia 1044-D

Babe, I'm going up the country and I can't take you, oh you (2x)
There ain't nothing up there, that a ugly gal can do

I was born in Texas, raised in Tennessee (2x)
I ain't gonna let no woman, make a fat mouse out of me

Listen here:





(F1) Henry Thomas (1928) (as "Bull Doze Blues")
Recorded June 13, 1928 in Chicago
Released on Vocalion 1230





I'm going away, babe, and it won't be long (3x)

Just as sure as that train leaves out of that Mobile yard (3x)

Come shake your hand, tell your papa goodbye  (3x)

I'm going back to Tennessee  (3x)

I'm going where I never get bull-dozed  (3x)

If you don't believe I'm sinking look what a hole I'm in (2x)
If you don't believe I'm sinking look what a fool I've been 

Oh, my babe, take me back how in the world Lord, take me back

Listen here:




(E5) Texas Alexander (1927) (as "Farm Hand Blues")
Recorded August 16, 1927 in New York City



If I leave here runnin', mama, don't you follow me (2x)
If I leave here walking, you can go with me

Sally went to cookin', man, but she didn't know how  (2x)
Says, she put cayenne pepper, mama, in my hot bow-wow

Says, I'm goin' up the country, mama, don't you want to go? (2x)
Said I need another dozen, right on my right side, sho'

If I'm get lucky, mama, should happen to work  (2x)
I'm gonna carry my money right on back home again 

'D'rather see my coffin easin' through the world  (2x)
Than to see my woman do me like she does

Mmmmm, mmmmm w/piano soloing, 8 bars
Than to see my woman do me like she does 

I'm scared to go down that big road by myself  (2x)
'Fore I go, baby, I'll carry me someone else

Listen here:




(F2) Blind Willie McTell (1928) (as "Statesboro Blues")
Recorded October 17, 1928 in Atlanta, GA
Released on Victor V38001



Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low (2x)
Have you got the nerve to drive Papa McTell from your door?

My mother died and left me reckless, my daddy died and left me wild, wild, wild (2x)
No, I'm not good lookin' but I'm some sweet woman's angel child

She's a mighty mean woman, to do me this a-way (2x)
When I leave this town, pretty mama, I'm going away to stay

I once loved a woman, better than any I'd ever seen (2x)
Treat me like I was a king and she was a dog-gone queen

Sister, tell your Brother, Brother tell your Auntie, now Auntie, tell your Uncle,
Uncle tell my Cousin, now Cousin tell my friend
Goin' up the country, Mama, don't you want to go?
May take me a fair brown, may take one or two more

Big Eighty left Savannah, Lord, and did not stop
You ought to saw that colored fireman when he got them boiler hot
You can reach over in the corner, Mama, and hand me my travelin' shoes
You know by that, I've got them Statesboro blues

Mama, Sister got 'em, Auntie got 'em
Brother got 'em, friends got 'em, I got 'em
Woke up this morning, we had them Statesboro blues
I looked over in the corner, Grandma and Grandpa had 'em too



The AAB blues pattern and melody of Henry Thomas' "Bull Doze Blues" (see song # (F1) above) was also used in the following songs

(F4) Charley Patton (1929) (as "Green River Blues")

(F5) Bill Monroe (1945) (as "Rocky Road Blues")




Another example of the AAB Blues pattern is "Forty-Four" or "44 Blues" is a blues standard whose origins have been traced back to early 1920s Louisiana.
However, it was Roosevelt Sykes, who provided the lyrics and first recorded it in 1929, that helped popularize the song.


(L1) Roosevelt Sykes (1929)  (as "44 Blues")
Roosevelt Sykes, voc, p
Recorded June 14, 1929 at 11 Union Square, New York City
Released on Okeh 8702



Well I walked all night long, with my .44 in my hand (2x)
Now I was looking for my woman, found her with another man

Well I wore my .44 so long, Lord it made my shoulder sore (2x)
After I do what I want to, ain't gonna wear my .44 no more

Now I heard my baby say, she heard that 44 whistle blow (2x)
Lord it sounds like, ain't gonna blow that whistle no more

Now I got a little cabin, and it's number 44 (2x)
Lord I wake up every morning, the wolf be scratching on my door

Listen here:




A further explanation and more versions of "44 Blues"


In 1930 Roosevelt Sykes (as Willie Kelly) also recorded a follow-up of his "44 Blues"
a song (with another calibre) called "32-20 Blues"


(L2) Willie Kelly (=Roosevelt Sykes) (1930)  (as "32-20 Blues")
Recorded on June 12, 1930 - Cincinnati OH
Released on Victor 38619.



Now I got a 32-20, shoot just like a 45 (2x)
Lord, if I ever go at my woman, I'm gonna bring her dead or alive.

Lord, I carry my 32-20 in my right hand (2x)
Lord, I shoot my woman that waste her time with that monkey man.

Yes sir, all your men look alike to me (2x)
Lord, if I catch you with my woman, you might as well be dead in the deep blue sea.

Lawd, I shoot steel jackets and no lead balls at all (2x)
Lawd, if I ever shoot you, you will see St. Peter or St. Paul.

Now I see you going down thru the lonesome lane (2x)
Now ev'rybody got this 32-20 of mine the same.

Listen here:



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