Lyr Req: Desert Blues (Jimmie Rodgers)

Subject: Desert Blues or Big Chief Buffalo Nickel
From: Kim
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 03:33 AM

I've been looking for the lyrics to Desert Blues by Jimmie Rodgers without luck. Leon Redbone also recorded it at some point in the early 80's. Can anyone help?

Subject: Lyr Add: DESERT BLUES (Jimmie Rodgers)
From: Ferrara
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 07:49 AM

In the 40's this was one of my Italian father's favorite songs. The record sounds as if it may have a calliope in the accompaniment. From memory, with apologies for any slips:

DESERT BLUES
As recorded by Jimmie Rodgers, 1929.

Way out on the windswept desert, where nature favors no man,
The buffalo found his brother at rest on the sun-baked sand.
He said: "My brother, what ails you? Has sickness got you this way?"
But his brother never said, for his brother was dead, been dead since way last May. (Yodel)

Here's to Chief Big Buffalo Nickel, a mighty man in his day,
Never once used a sickle to clear the bushes away.
He would go round from tent to tent, eat everything in sight.
He loved a squaw, every one he saw; he loved a new one every night. (Yodel)

Last night on the windswept desert, I heard a big Indian moan.
I left my tent; I knew what it meant, and I swore I'd never more roam.
It was dawn when I reached safety; my legs were certainly sore.
I must have lost fifty pounds on that hot desert ground, and I'd lose that many more. (Yodel)

Enjoy! - Rita

Subject: RE: Desert Blues or Big Chief Buffalo Nickel
From: Ferrara
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 08:07 AM

By the way, innocent child that I was, I asked my mother why the Chief never used a sickle to clear the bushes away. My mom said, "That shows how tough he was. When people camping in the desert have to go to the bathroom, they go out into the bushes."

Whether she was right or not, it's a memory that makes me smile.

Subject: RE: Desert Blues or Big Chief Buffalo Nickel
From: Gene
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 11:38 AM

These lyrics and others can be found at -

*THE DUTCH JIMMIE RODGERS TRIBUTE WEBSITE*

Subject: RE: Desert Blues or Big Chief Buffalo Nickel
From: Kim
Date: 14 Apr 99 - 03:10 AM

Many thanks to you that responded so quickly, you have no idea how I appreciate the lyrics. You're great!!

Subject: RE: Desert Blues or Big Chief Buffalo Nickel
From: John Hindsill
Date: 14 Apr 99 - 11:03 PM

Rick Nelson had a fling with country music in the mid-60s and recorded Big Chief Buffalo Nickel on his COUNTRY FEVER album. What made his rendition fun was the background of "Kimo Sabe, Kimo Sabe" running through the chorus. Incidentally, I thought he was better at country than rock and roll copying.

Subject: RE: Desert Blues or Big Chief Buffalo Nickel
From:
Date: 16 Jun 02 - 11:49 AM

Does anyone have the chords to Desert Blues they wouldn't mind emailing me privately?

Thank You!

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Desert Blues or Big Chief Buffalo Nickel
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Jun 02 - 08:10 PM

Gene, the URL comes up not found on this server. Let's see if I fail as well: Rodgers

Subject: RE: Desert Blues or Big Chief Buffalo Nickel
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Jun 02 - 08:12 PM

Wal, I swan, it works! Just scroll to Desert Blues and click.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Desert Blues (Jimmie Rodgers)
From: GUEST,F#
Date: 20 May 17 - 12:25 AM

So in response to the request for chords, it sounds to me like the whole song is just E and B. If someone has something else, I would love for you to correct me.