Junco Partner is an old New Orleans classic blues, performed by luminaries like James Booker (my personal favorite version!), Dr. John, Professor Longhair, the Clash (!) and many more..., and tells the cautionary tale of a N'Awlins junkie. The original melody is the one that appears in Professor Longhair's brilliant 'Tipitina' + is lovely. Go check it out when you can, but til then, give this one a listen + let me know what you think of my version...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Oh, down the road came poor little Junco
ReplyDeleteBoys, he was loaded as he could be
The poor man was knocked out, knocked out loaded
And he was wobblin' all over the street.
I heard him singing six months ain't no sentence
He said one year was not no time
He said he had friends still in Angola
Serving from fourteen to ninety-nine
You know, when he had plenty of money
He had friends all over town
Since he's been broke, hungry and sickly
Not a single friend can be found
Well, the poor man pawned his watch + his pistol
Oh he tried to pawn his diamond ring
He tried to pawn the woman he was lovin'
But the poor girl couldn't sign her name
She said give him water when he gets thirsty
Tell him that water is mighty fine when you're dry
Give him a tincture, yeah, when he gets sickly
Give him the graveyard if he dies