Tune/Chords Req: Weeping Willow Blues (Paul Carter

Subject: Tune/Chrd 'Weeping Willow Blues' P.Carte
From: GUEST,Sandra
Date: 23 Mar 01 - 08:48 AM

Help. Need tune/chords for "Weeping Willow Blues" by P.Carter as found on "Bessie Smith, The Collection" CD or other

Subject: Lyr Add: WEEPING WILLOW BLUES (Paul Carter)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 11:12 PM

You can hear this song, sung by Bessie Smith in 1924, at The Red Hot Jazz Archive.


WEEPING WILLOW BLUES
Paul Carter

I went down to the river, sat beneath the willow tree
The dew dropped on those willow leaves, and it rolled right down on me,
And that's the reason I've got those weeping willow blues.

I went up on the mountain, high as any gal could stand,
And looked down on that mean town that took away my lovin' man,
And that's the reason I've got those weeping willow blues.

I heard the whistle blowing, the fireman ring the bell.
They takin' away that willow tree that give me this weeping spell,
And that's the reason I've got those weeping willow blues.

When you're broken-hearted and your man is out of town,
Go to the river, take the chair and then set down,
And if he don't come back to you, I'll tell you what to do:
Just jump right overboard 'cause he ain't no more to you.
Folks, I love my man. I kiss him morning, noon, and night.
I wash his clothes and keep him clean and try to treat him right.
Now he's gone and left me after all I tried to do.
The way he treats me, girls, he'll do the same thing to you.
That's the reason I've got those weeping willow blues.

Subject: RE: Tune/Chords Req: Weeping Willow Blues (Paul Carter
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 04:49 AM

Otillie Patterson used to do a great version of this with the Chris Barber Band.

Rts

Subject: RE: Tune/Chords Req: Weeping Willow Blues (Paul Carter
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 05:24 AM

[G]I went down to the river, sat beneath the willow tree
The dew dropped on those willow leaves, and it [B7]rolled right down on [Em]me,
And that's the [D]reason I've got those weeping willow[G] blues.

[G]I went up on the mountain, high as any gal could stand,
And looked down on that mean town that [B7]took away my lovin'[Em] man,
And that's the [D]reason I've got those weeping willow [G]blues.

[G]I heard the whistle blowing, the fireman ring the bell.
They takin' away that willow tree that [B7]give me this weeping [Em]spell,
And that's the[D] reason I've got those weeping willow[G] blues.

[C]When you're broken-hearted and your man is out of town,
Go to the river, take the chair and then set down,
And if he don't come back to you, I'll tell you what to do:
Just jump right overboard 'cause he ain't no more to you.
Folks, I love my man. I kiss him morning, noon, and night.
I wash his clothes and keep him clean and try to treat him right.
Now he's gone and left me after all I tried to do.
The way he treats me, girls, he'll do the same thing to you.
That's the [Dm]rea[G]son I've got those weeping willow [C]blues.


Ottilie Paterson's version can be heard here

Subject: RE: Tune/Chords Req: Weeping Willow Blues (Paul Carter
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 05:26 AM

just realised the OP wanted the chords back in 2001.

oh well, better late than never ...

Subject: RE: Tune/Chords Req: Weeping Willow Blues (Paul Carter
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 05:40 AM

I've never heard the Bessie Smith original but I dont think those chords fit the Ottilie Patterson version . The B7 to Em should be F#7 to Bm I think. At least, I think that's what I used to play! I'll have to have a listen.

Subject: RE: Tune/Chords Req: Weeping Willow Blues (Paul Carter
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 06:12 AM

you're right, greg, it should indeed be F#7 and Bm

Subject: RE: Tune/Chords Req: Weeping Willow Blues (Paul Carter
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 06:20 AM

The Em is definitely wrong, but actually it works well going to B7 before the F#7

..The dew dropped on those willow leaves, and it [B7]rolled right[F#7] down on [Bm]me...

or a meringue ?

Subject: RE: Tune/Chords Req: Weeping Willow Blues (Paul Carter
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 10:58 AM

On a critical listen. I think the Barber band is probably playing Bm(rolled right) F#7(down on) Bm(me)