MJH Lyrics – Compiled by Ken Whitfield 4-2008

Email: mailto:khandu

When he performed his songs, Mississippi John Hurt often added, omitted or rephrased his lyrics. Rather than copy the lyrics of different renditions separately, I will include all lyrics for each song under the one title. As this is a work-in-progress, some of the songs transcribed at this time may be amended as I find other verses.

This is not yet a complete listing. In time I hope to transcribe all lyrics to each song recorded by MJH. Be patient, as this is not a quick work.

I, of course, have tried to transcribe these as accurately as possible. Certainly, mistakes occasionally may have been made. Corrections and suggestions are welcomed.

AIN'T NOBODY BUT YOU (Key of C)

C

Ain't nobody but you, Baby

F C

Ain't nobody but you

F C

Ain't nobody but you

G C

Ain't nobody but you

I got a letter last night

I got a letter last night

I got a letter last night

How do you reckon it read?

It said Ain't nobody but you, Baby

Ain't nobody but you

I went down to the ball

Went down to the ball last night

It ain't nobody but you, Baby

Said Ain't nobody but you

AVALON BLUES (Key of E)

E

New York this morning’ just about half past nine

A

New York this morning’ just about half past

E

nine

B7 E

(Omitted Verse...)

Avalon my hometown, always on my mind

Avalon my hometown, always on my mind

Pretty mamas in Avalon want me there all the time

When I left Avalon, they’s throwin’ kisses and waving’ at me

When I left Avalon,

When I left Avalon, they’s throwin’ kisses and waving’ at me

Says come back daddy, stay right here with me

Says come back daddy,

Says come back daddy, stay right here with me

Hate to tell you, pretty mama, but you have got to know

Hate to tell you, pretty mama,

I’m leavin’ Avalon, won’t be back no more

It’s one thing I can’t understand

It’s one thing I can’t understand

Pretty mamas in Avalon just want one man

Avalon my hometown got no great big range

Avalon my hometown

Avalon my hometown got no great big range

Pretty mamas in Avalon sure do spend your change

Pretty mamas in Avalon

AVALON, MY HOMETOWN (Key of E)

E

Avalon my hometown, always on my mind

A E

Avalon my hometown, always on my mind

B7 E

Pretty Mama in Avalon want me there all the time

Left Avalon this morning’ ‘bout half past nine

Left Avalon this morning’

Pretty Mama in Avalon want me there all the time

When I left Avalon, throwin’ kisses and waving’ at me

Left Avalon this morning’ throwin’ kisses and waving’ at me

Says come back daddy, stay right here with me

Oh come back daddy

Oh come back daddy, stay right here with me

Oh Mama

Hate to tell you pretty mama

Hate to tell you pretty mama, you’ve got to know

Hate to tell you pretty mama

I’m leavin’ Avalon, ain’t comin’ back no more

Avalon my hometown, always on my mind

Avalon my hometown,

Pretty Mama in Avalon want me there all the time

New Yorks a good town but it’s not for mine

New Yorks a good town

Pretty Mama in Avalon want me there all the time

One thing I can’t understand

One thing , man

Many pretty mama’s in Avalon, and I’m just one man

Avalon my hometown,

Avalon my hometown,

Pretty Mama in Avalon want me there all the time.

BABY, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU (Key of A)

D A

Oh baby

D A

Tell me baby

E

Tell me baby

E7 A

Honey what’s wrong with you

You don’t love me baby

You don’t love me baby

You don’t love me baby

Honey like you used to do

Oh Baby Oh baby

Tell me baby

Honey what’s wrong with you

Who, who baby

Who been here baby

Who been here baby

Honey since I been gone

Somebody, babe

Somebody, baby

Somebody been fishin’ in my pond

Caught all my perches

Caught all my perches

Caught all my perches

And now they’s gone

Oh Baby

Tell me baby

Tell me baby

Honey what’s wrong with you

Who who baby

Who who baby

Tell me baby, who’s been jiving’ you

Who’s never told you

Who’s never told you, baby

Who’s never told you

Didn’t I tell you true?

Asked you this morning’

Asked you this morning’, baby

Asked you this morning’

Please bake me some bread

You told me

You told me baby

Said, Johnny, I’d rather see you dead

Oh baby

Tell me baby

Tell me baby

What’s wrong with you

BEULAH LAND (Key of E)

E

I got a mother in Beulah Land

A E

I got a mother in Beulah Land outshine the sun

E

I got a mother in Beulah Land

B7 E

Way beyond the sky

Oh come on and go over to Beulah Land

Come on and go to Beulah Land

Come on and go to Beulah Land

Way beyond the sky

I got a sister in Beulah Land

I got a sister in Beulah Land outshine the sun

I got a sister in Beulah Land

Way beyond the sky

I got a father in Beulah Land

I got a father in Beulah Land outshine the sun

I got a father in Beulah Land

Way beyond the sky

C.C. RIDER (Key of D)

A D A D

Oh CC Rider you see what you have done

G D

You done made me love you

G D

Made me love you, now your man done come

A D A D

You made me love you, now your man done come

If I had’a listened to my second mind

Lord, I wouldn’t be sittin’ here

Wringing my hands and cryin’

I wouldn’t be sittin’ here

Wringing my hands and cryin’

I wouldn’t be sittin’ here

Wringing my hands and cryin’

(Repeat Chorus)

It ain’t no more potatoes, the frost have killed the vine

The blues ain’t nothing but a good woman on your mind

The blues ain’t nothing but a good woman on your mind

The blues ain’t nothing but a good woman on your mind

I told you, baby and your mama told you too

You three times seven, you know what you wanna do

Three times seven, you know what you wanna do

You three times seven, you know what you wanna do

(Repeat Chorus)

CANDY MAN (Key of A)

A

All you ladies, gather round

A

The good sweet Candy man’s in town

E7 A

It’s the Candy Man. It’s the Candy Man

A

He’s got a stick of candy that’s nine inch long

A

It sells as fast a hog can chew his corn

E7 A

It’s the Candy Man. It’s the Candy Man

Well, he sold some candy to Sister bad

The very next day, she took all he had

Oh the Candy Man. Sweet Candy Man

Well his stick of candy don’t melt away

It just gets better so the ladies say

It’s the Candy Man Sweet Candy Man

A E

Well you and the Candy man, you getting’ mighty thick, um hmmm

A E

You Must be stuck on the Candy man’s stick

I carried my baby to the Candy stand, Oh yeah, oh yeah

She got stuck on the Candy man, um hmmm, um hmmm

CASEY JONES

G C G

Casey Jones was a noble engineer

G A D

He told his fireman to not to fear

G C G

All I want is my water and my coal

G

Look out the window, see my drive wheel roll

Early one morning’ came a shower of rain

Round the curve, I seen a passenger train

In the cabin was Casey Jones

He’s a noble engineer but he’s dead and gone

Casey’s wife, she got the news

She was sittin’ on the bedside, she was lacing up her shoes

Said Go ‘way children and hold your breath

You’re gonna draw a pension at your daddy’s death

Children children, get your hat

Mama mama, what you mean by that

Get your hat and put it on your head

Go down in town, see if your daddy’s dead

Mama mama, how can it be

My daddy got killed on the old I.C.

Hush your mouth I said and hold your breath

You’re gonna draw a pension at your daddy’s death

Casey said before he died

Fix the blinds, so the bums can’t ride

If they ride, let’em ride the rod

Trust they lives in the hands of God

Casey said before he died

One more road that he dread to ride (wanted to ride)

People wondered what road could that be

The Colorado and the Santa Fe (The Gulf Colorado and the Santa Fe)

CHICKEN (key of C)

C

Oh Chicken, chicken

G

You don't roost to high for me

C

Chicken, chicken

C G C

Come on outta that tree

F C

Chicken chicken chicken

C G C

You can't roost too high for me

C

"C" is the way to begin

F

"H" the next letter in

C

"I" am the third

C

"C" butter season the bird **

F

"K" is to fill him in

C

"E" I'm near the end

C F

"C-H-I-C-K-E-N"

C G C

That's the way you spell chicken

**(or "For to season the bird" and "For two C's in the bird")

COFFEE BLUES (Key of A)

(Spoken) Coffee time. I likes a certain brand, that’s Maxwell House. Just like it says on the can ‘Good to the last drop’. And if I can get just a spoonful of Maxwell House, do as much good as two or three cups of this other coffee.

Two guys, one told me she had moved to Memphis, the other’s said to Leland.

I said I don’t care where she moved, I’m gonna find her!

A D

I’ve got to go to Memphis

A

From there to Leland

E A

I want to see my baby, ‘bout a lovin’ spoonful

‘Bout a lovin’ spoonful

Well I just got to have my lovin’ spoonful

Well, good morning’ baby

How you do this morning’?

Well, please, ma’am, make me just a lovin’…

Just a lovin’ spoonful

Well I just got to have my lovin’ spoonful

You can bring me whiskey

You can bring me tea

Nothin’ satisfies me, man

But my lovin’

But my lovin’ spoonful

Well I just got to have my lovin’ spoonful

My baby packed her suitcase

And she went away

I couldn’t let her stay for my lovin’

Well my lovin’ spoonful’

Well I just had to have my lovin’

Oh the preacher in the pulpit

Jumpin’ up and down

He laid his Bible down for his lovin’ spoonful

(Ain’t Maxwell House alright!)

He just had to have that lovin’…

Well, good morning’ baby

How you do this morning’?

Well, please, ma’am, make me just a lovin’ spoonful

I’ve done got crazy ‘bout my lovin’

Well I just got to have my lovin’

I’ll kill the policeman

Knock down the sheriff

It’s all about my lovin’

My lovin’ spoonful

Well I just got to have my lovin’…

Well the womens in Greenwood

They raisin’ sand

It’s all about that lovin’ spoonful

If your baby get mad

And she won't do right

Go to bed at night

Give her lovin'

CORINNA CORINNA (Key of C)

C

Corinna Corinna, where’d you stay last night

F C

Corinna Corinna, where’d you stay last night

G C

Come in this morning’, the sun was shinin’ bright

I left Corinna across the sea

I left Corinna way ‘cross the sea

She won’t write me no letters, she don’t care for me

Corinna Corinna, where’d you stay last night

Corinna Corinna,

I love Corinna, tell the world I do

Don’t love nobody in this world but you

COW HOOKING BLUES ( Key of E)

E

Woke up this mornin'

Just 'bout the break of day

A E

Woke up this mornin'

B7

I hugged my pillow

E

where my baby used to lay

The girl I love

Give me the blues and gone

The girl I love

The girl I love

Give me the blues and gone

Went to the river

The river was runnin' up and down

Went to the river

Had the blues so bad

Started to jump in and drown

Had the blues so bad

Walked out to the barn

Had the blues so bad

That old cow she hooked me

With a great long horn

Lord she hurt my heart

Might've heard me cryin'

She hurt my heart

Baby baby, please don't put me down

Baby Please Baby,

Let me change your mind

DO LORD REMEMBER ME (Key of G)

G

Do Lord do Lord, do remember me

C G

Do Lord do Lord,

G G

Do Lord do Lord,

G D G

Do Lord remember me

When I’m on my knees praying

When I’m on my knees praying

When I’m on my knees praying

Do Lord remember me

(Repeat Chorus)

Oh when I’m in trouble

Oh when I’m in trouble

(Repeat Chorus)

Remember all your died and gone

Then remember me

Remember all your died and gone

Then remember me

Remember all your died and gone

Do Lord remember me

FARTHER ALONG (Key of C)

C F C

Farther along, we’ll know all about it

C G

Farther along we will understand why

C F C

Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine

C G C

We’ll understand it all by and by

When we see Jesus coming in Glory

When He comes from His home in the sky

And we shall meet him in that bright mansion

We’ll understand it all by and by

Faithful till death say our lovin’ Master

A few more days to labor and wait

Toils of the ???? Will then seem as nothing’

When we squeeze through the Beautiful Gate

FRANKIE AND ALBERT (Key of G)

G

Frankie was a good girl, everybody knows

C G

She paid a hundred dollar for Albert a suit of clothes

D G

He was her man and he did her wrong

Frankie went down to the corner saloon

She ordered a glass of beer

She asked the bar room keeper

Have my lovin’ Albert been here

He been here, but he’s gone again

Ain’t goin’ tell you no story, Frankie Ain’t goin’ tell ya no lie

Says Albert passed ‘bout an hour ago

With a girl the call Alice Pryor

He’s your man and he’s doin’ you wrong

Frankie went down to the corner saloon Didn’t go to be gone long

She peeked through the keyhole in the door Spied Albert in Alice’s arms

You’s my man and you doin’ me wrong

Frankie called Albert Albert says I don’t hear

If you don’t come to the woman you love Gonna haul you outta here

You’s my man and you doin’ me wrong

Frankie shot Albert Shot him three or four times

Says stand back out the smoke of my gun Let me see is Albert’s dyin’

He’s my man and he did me wrong

Frankie and the judge walked out of the stand Walked out side by side

The Judge said to Frankie You gonna be justified

For killin’ you man and he did you wrong

Dark was the night Cold was on the ground

The last words I heard Frankie say Done laid old Albert down

He’s my man and he did me wrong

FUNKY BUTT (Key of C)

C G D G7 C

I thought I heard somebody say

C G D G7 C

F C

Funky Butt Funky Butt , take it away

F C

G C

Cause I don’t like it no how

You see that gal with the red dress on

She got funky butt stinky butt sure as you’re born

Well I don’t like it no how

You see that gal with the blue dress on

She got stinky butt funky butt let it alone

Cause I don’t like it no how

I thought I heard somebody shout

Open the window let the foul smell out

Cause I don't like it no how

GOT THE BLUES AND I CAN'T BE SATISFIED (Key of G)

G

Got the blues, I can’t be satisfied

C (A bass) G

Got the blues, I can’t be satisfied

D G

Some old day gonna catch the train and ride

Whiskey straight will drive the blues away

Whiskey straight will drive the blues away

That be the case, I wants a quart today

Bought my babe a great big diamond ring

Bought my babe a great big diamond ring

Come right back home and I caught her shakin’ that thing

I say Baby why you treat me this a way

Baby why you treat me this a way

She say you don't miss a thing I give away

Took my gun and I broke the barrell down

Took my gun and I broke the barrell down

I put that joker six feet in the ground

Got the blues and I still ain’t satisfied

I got the blues and I still ain’t satisfied

Some old day gonna catch the train and ride

HERE AM I, OH LORD SEND ME (Key of G)

G

Don’t you hear my Saviour calling

D G

I said, who will go and work today

C G

The fields are ripe and the harvest waiting

D G

Who will go bear those sheaves away

Here am I, oh Lord send me

Here am I oh Lord send me

Here am I, oh Lord send me

Here am I oh Lord send me

If you can not speak like angels

Well, if you can not preach like Paul

Yes you can tell the love of Jesus

You can say that He died for us all

Hark, the voice of Jesus callin’

I said who will go and work today

Yes fields are ripe and Harvest waiting

Who will bear these sheaves away

HEY HEY, BABY, RIGHT AWAY (Key of C)

C C+9 F

Hey babe, Honey right away

C G C

Hey Honey right away

C C+9 F

Right Away, baby right away

C G C

Hey Honey right away

You told me you’d marry, honey right away

Hey Baby right away

I want to go to the courthouse, get our license ready

Hey baby right away

Hey babe, Baby right away

Hey Honey right away

Hey hey honey right away

Hey hey Baby right away

I SHALL NOT BE MOVED (Key of G)

C G

I shall not be I shall not be moved

G C

I shall not be I shall not be moved

F C

Just like a tree that’s planted by the water

G C

I shall not be moved

I’m on my way to Heaven

I shall not be moved

I’m on my way to Heaven

I shall not be moved

Just like a tree that’s planted by the water

I shall not be moved

Oh preacher I shall not be moved

Oh preacher I shall not be moved

Just like a tree that’s planted by the water

I shall not be moved

I’m sanctified and holy I shall not be moved

Sanctified and holy I shall not be moved

Just like a tree that’s planted by the water

I shall not be moved

IF YOU DON'T WANT ME (Version 2) (Key of E)

E

If you don’t want me, got to have me any how

B7 E

If you don’t want me Babe , have me any how

Well tell me babe what you got on your mind

Well tell me what you got on your mind

You can’t quit me and ain’t no use in tryin’

Honey, You can’t quit me, ain’t no use in tryin’

If you don’t want me, got to have me any how

I'M SATISFIED (key of C)

(chorus:)

C F

I'm satisfied, tickled too

C

Old enough to marry you

G

I'm satisfied

C

It's goin' bring you back

F

I'm satisfied, tickled too

C

Old enough to marry you

G

I'm satisfied

C

It's goin' bring you back

First in the country then in town

I'm a tow-da-low (total hole?)shaker

From my navel on down

I'm satisfied

It's goin' bring you back

I'm satisfied, tickled too

Old enough to marry you

I'm satisfied

It's goin' bring you back

I pull my dress to my knees

I give my tow-da-low (total hole?) to who I please

I'm satisfied

It's goin' bring you back

I'm satisfied, tickled too

Old enough to marry you

I'm satisfied

It's goin' bring you back

JOE TURNER (Key of G)

G

Oh they tell me Joe Turner’s in this town

C G

They tell me

D7 G

Oh they tell me Joe Turner’s in this town

He’s here to steal my high teasin’ brown

He’s here to steal my high teasin’ brown

He’s the man I hate, don’t want him hangin’ around

He’s the man I hate, don’t want him hangin’ around

For He’s here to steal my high teasin’ brown

Oh they tell me Joe Turner’s in this town

I drove Joe Turner, drove him from my door

I drove Joe Turner

I drove Joe Turner, drove him from my door

And I hope to God that he won’t come back no more

And I hope to God that he won’t come back no more

He’s here to steal my high teasin’ brown

He’s here to steal my high teasin’ brown

KEEP ON KNOCKIN'

Keep on Knocking’ and you can’t come in

Keep on Knockin’and you can’t come in

Doorbell ringing and you can’t come in

Doorbell ringing and you can’t come in