Charlie Patton
Aw, the revenue man* is ridin', boy, you'd better look out
(spoken: High sheriff ain't purrty**)
Aw, the revenue man is ridin', boy, you'd better look out
(spoken: Boy, if he hollers you, you don't stop, boy)
If he hollers you, don't stop, you will likely be knocked out
Oh, a doney loves saltwater***, well, she always wants a drink
(spoken: Got to have a drink!)
My doney loves saltwater, she always wants a drink
(spoken: Boy, if they see you with a bottle, though)
If they see you with a bottle, they will almost break your neck
Oh, take me home to, Lord, that shiny star
(spoken: Aw sho'!)
I say: take me home to that shiny star
(spoken: She don't need no tellin', daddy, aw sho')
She don't need no tellin', daddy will take you in his car
Oh, come on, mama, let us go to the edge of town
(spoken: Aw sho'!)
Come on, mama, let us go to the edge of town
(spoken: Baby, I know where there's a bird's nest built at)
I know where there's a bird's nest built down on the ground
Oh, I wake up every mornin', now, with a jinx all around my bed
(spoken: Aw sho!)
I wakes up every mornin' with a jinx all around my bed
(spoken: You know I'll have them jinx forever)
I have been a good provider, but I believe I been misled
----
* probably government officials commissioned to seek out and destroy illegal liquor distilleries during the times of the Prohibition. Also, possibly, the man who collects the rent, taxes (the taxman) or some other payments that are due.
** according to the Webster dictionary, a low vibratory murmur typical of an apparently contented or pleased cat, in this case it's suppose to express that the sheriff wasn't in a friendly mood;
*** an old synonym for alcohol (footnotes from Harry's Blues Lyrics Online)
alles-uke.de