A great ragtime blues from the playing of Blind Blake. I fell out over this tune on first hearing....I hope you'll enjoy the picking and the sentiment!
lyrics
Chumpman Blues (Blind Arthur Blake)
I’m going down to the river – take a great big jump.
I’m going down to the river – take a great big jump.
I used to be a wise man, but this woman made me a chump.
Now, it sure is funny how hard a man can fall.
Now, it sure is funny how hard a man can fall.
When he gets to thinkin’ that one woman has got it all.
Well, she threw me out; I went walkin’ down the track.
She threw me out! I went walkin’ down the track.
But I turned right around, (Lord have mercy), and begged her to take me back.
(and I said…)
(She wasn’t listenin’ so I went on..)
Well, she ain’t no good, but I can’t leave her somehow.
Naw, she ain’t no good, but I can’t leave her somehow.
I used to be a wild cat, but this woman has chained me down.
Now, sh-, sh-, she don’t act sweet – she’s that mean and naggin’ kind.
Naw, she don’t act sweet – she’s that mean and naggin’ kind.
But she’s got this little quiver, make a strong man lose his mind.
(When she walks, she goes…)
So, I’m goin’ down to the river, take a great big jump.
Right after I get done singin’ right here tonight, I’m gonna jump.
I used to be a wise man, but this woman made me a chump.
credits
from Terraplane,
track released September 22, 1997
Scott Ainslie, guitar and voice
A long history with older black blues and gospel players in the mid-South marks Ainslie's work deeply. He transcribed all of
Robert Johnson's recorded songs for "Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads" (Hal Leonard, 1992) and has a teaching DVD on Johnson's music. A fine songwriter with a social conscience and a belief in the power of music to move and inspire, Ainslie's voice is a great force for good!...more
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