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Police Dog Blues (Blind Blake)

from Terraplane by Scott Ainslie

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about

I learned this track from the playing of Virginia bluesman and songster John Jackson, and adapted it to some of Rev. Gary Davis' right-hand technique. It's a great ragtime blues.

lyrics

Police Dog Blues (Blind Arthur Blake)

Said, all my life—I been a ramblin’ man.
Said, all my life—I been a ramblin’ man.
Livin’ alone, I try to do the best I can.

I shipped my trunk down—down to Tennessee.
I shipped my trunk down—down to Tennessee.
It’s hard to tell—’bout a man like me.

I met a girl—I couldn’t get her off my mind.
I met a girl—I couldn’t get her off my mind.
She passed me up—didn’t like my tie.

(Here she’s walkin’ away…)

I’m afraid to bother around her house at night.
I’m afraid to bother around her house at night.
Police dog is crazy and want to bite.

Well, his name is ‘Rambler’ and when he gets a chance;
His name is ‘Rambler’ and when he gets a chance;
He leaves his mark—-on everybody’s pants.

(here’s the dog….)

So I guess I’ll travel, I guess I’ll let her be.
I guess I’ll travel, I guess I’ll let her be.
Before she sets that Police Dog on me.

Said, all my life, I been a travelin’ man.
Said, all my life, I been a travelin’ man.
Livin’ alone, try to do the best I can.

credits

from Terraplane, track released September 22, 1997
Scott Ainslie, guitar and voice

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about

Scott Ainslie Brattleboro, Vermont

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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