Bruce Cockburn
Avalon My Hometown


by Mississippi John Hurt
recording of 19
from The Mississippi John Hurt (Vanguard 19/20), copyright notice

Got to New York this mornin', just about half-past nine
Got to New York this mornin', just about half-past nine
Hollerin' one mornin' in Avalon, couldn't hardly keep from cryin'

Avalon is my hometown, always on my mind
Avalon is my hometown, always on my mind
Pretty mama's in Avalon want me there all the time

When the train left Avalon, throwin' kisses and wavin' at me
When the train left Avalon, throwin' kisses and wavin' at me
Says, "Come back, daddy, and stay right here with me"

Avalon's a small town, have no great big range
Avalon's a small town, have no great big range
Pretty mama's in Avalon, they sure will spend your change

New York's a good town, but it's not for mine
New York's a good town, but it's not for mine
Goin' back to Avalon, near where I have a pretty mama all the time



Steve Earle & Justin Earle
Candy Man Blues
by Mississippi John Hurt
recording of 19
from Today! (Vanguard VMD-79220), copyright notice

Well all you ladies gather 'round
That good sweet candy man's in town
It's the candy man
It's the candy man

He likes a stick of candy just nine inch long1
He sells as fast a hog can chew his corn
It's the candy man...

All heard what sister Johnson said
She always takes a candy stick to bed

Don't stand close to the candy man
He'll leave a big candy stick in your hand

He sold some candy to sister Bad
The very next day she took all he had

If you try his candy, good friend of mine,
you sure will want it for a long long time

His stick candy don't melt away
It just gets better, so the ladies say




Chris Smither
Frankie & Albert

by Mississippi John Hurt
recording of 19
from An Anthology Of American Folk Music (Folkways RF202),
copyright notice

(spoken introduction:
"Frankie and Albert", the same thing as "Frankie and Johnnie")

Frankie was a good girl, everybody know,
she paid one hundred dollars for Albert's suit of clothes
He's her man, but he did her wrong

Frankie went down to the corner saloon, she ordered her a glass of beer,
she asked the barkeeper, "Gas my lovin' Albert been here?"
"He been here, but he's gone again"

"Ain't gonna tell you no story, Frankie, I ain't gonna tell you no lie"
Says, "Albert a-passed about a hour ago, with a girl you call Alice Frye
He's your man, and he's doin' you wrong

Frankie went down to the corner saloon, she didn't go to be gone long
She peeked through keyhole in the door, spied Albert in Alice's arm
He's my man, and you's doin' me wrong

Frankie called Albert, she shot him three or four times,
says, "Stand back, I'm smokin' my gun, let me see is Albert dyin'
He's my man, and he did me wrong"

Frankie and the judge walked outta the stand, and walked out side by side
The judge says, "Frankie, you're gonna be justified,
killin' a man, and he did you wrong"

Frankie was a good girl, everybody know,
she paid one hundred dollars for Albert's suit of clothes
He's her man, but he did her wrong

Said, "Turn me over, mother, turn me over slow,
it may be my last time, you won't turn me no more
He's my man, and he did me wrong"

Says, Frankie was a good girl, everybody know,
she paid one hundred dollars for Albert's suit of clothes
He's her man, but he did her wrong






John Hiatt
I'm Satisfied

by Mississippi John Hurt
recording of 19
from Coffee Blues (Vanguard 19032), copyright notice

I'm satisfied, tickled too, old enough to marry you
I'm satisfied it's gonna bring you back
I'm satisfied, tickled too, old enough to marry you
I'm satisfied it's gonna bring you back

First in the country, then in the town,
I'm a total shaker from my navel on down
I'm satisfied it's gonna bring you back
I'm satisfied, tickled too, old enough to marry you
I'm satisfied it's gonna bring you back

I pull my dress to my knees1, I give my total all to who I please
I'm satisfied it's gonna bring you back
I'm satisfied, tickled too, old enough to marry you
I'm satisfied it's gonna bring you back

I'm satisfied, tickled too, old enough to marry you
I'm satisfied it's gonna bring you back
I'm satisfied, tickled too, old enough to marry you
I'm satisfied it's gonna bring you back


Mark Selby
Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor

traditional
recording of 19
from , copyright notice

Make me a pallet1 on your floor
Make me a pallet on your floor
Make it soft, make it low,
so my good gal will never know
Make me a pallet on your floor

I'd be more than satisfied,
if I could reach that train and ride
If I reach Atlanta with no place to go,
make me a pallet on your floor

Gonna give everybody my regards,
even if I have to ride the rods
If I reach Atlanta with no place to go,
make me pallet on your floor



Taj Mahal
My Creole Belle

by Mississippi John Hurt
recording of 19
from , copyright notice

My Creole1 Belle, I love her well,
my darlin' baby, my Creole Belle
When the stars shine I'll call her mine,
my darlin' baby, my Creole Belle

My Creole Belle, I love her well,
I love her more anyone can tell
My Creole Belle, I love her well,
my darlin' baby, my Creole Belle

When the stars shine I'll call her mine,
my darlin' baby, my Creole Belle
My Creole Belle, I love her well,
my darlin' baby, my Creole Belle




Bill Morrissey
Pay Day

by Mississippi John Hurt
recording of 19
from The Mississippi John Hurt (Vanguard 19/20), copyright notice

Yeah, I did all I can do, and I can't get along with you
I'm gonna take you to your mama, pay day
Pay day, pay day

Well, the rabbit in a log, I ain't got no rabbit dog
And I hate to see that rabbit get away
Get away

Baby, did all I can do, and I can't get along with you
I'm gonna take you to your mama, pay day

Just about a week ago,
I'm gonna keep my skillet1 greasy if I can
If I can, if I can

(spoken: You know what happened to me)
Well, the hounds is on my track, and the knapsack on my back
I'm gonna make it to my shanty2 'fore day
'Fore day, 'for day

Baby, I did all I could do, an' I
I'm gonna take you to your mama, pay day

Well, and I ain't got no rabbit dog
Lord, I hate to see that rabbit get away
Get away

Baby, did all I can do, and I can't get along with you
I'm gon'




Beck
Stack O'Lee Blues

by Mississippi John Hurt
recording of 19
from , copyright notice

Police officer, how can it be?
You can 'rest everybody but cruel Stack O' Lee
That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O' Lee

Billy de Lyon told Stack O' Lee, "Please don't take my life,
I got two little babies, and a darlin' lovin' wife"
That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O' Lee

"What I care about you little babies, your darlin' lovin' wife?
You done stole my Stetson1 hat, I'm bound to take your life"
That bad man, cruel Stack O' Lee

...with the forty-four
When I spied Billy de Lyon, he was lyin' down on the floor
That bad man, oh cruel Stack O' Lee

"Gentleman's of the jury, what do you think of that?
Stack O' Lee killed Billy de Lyon about a five-dollar Stetson hat"
That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O' Lee

And all they gathered, hands way up high,
at twelve o'clock they killed him, they's all glad to see him die
That bad man, oh, cruel Stack O' Lee