Chain Gang Blues by Gertrude "Ma" Rainey
Working on the chain gang was not reserved for men alone. Women and young girls could be sentenced too to work on the "county road" as Ma Rainey sings here.
The judge found me guilty, the clerk he wrote it down
The judge found me guilty, the clerk he wrote it down
Just a poor gal in trouble, I know I'm county road bound
Many days of sorrow, many nights of woe
Many days of sorrow, many nights of woe
And a ball and chain everywhere I go
Chains on my feet, padlock on my hand
Chains on my feet, padlock on my hand
It's all on account of stealing a woman's man
It was early this morning that I had my trial
It was early this morning that I had my trial
Ninety days on the county road, and judge didn't even smile.
So, here's a blues song performed by a legend. Should we start with this? From other lyrics I've read by other artists, this seems to be pretty classic in form. I don't know if this is played on piano or guitar, but let's try to create music for the piano. Who plays the piano? Would someone like a stab at creating a blues song in this form? Should the subject be spending the first winter without heat i.e., someone lost job, can't find another, first winter spent without affording heat, can't call someone for help because telephone's turned off. Person still has running water, and was able to pay this month's rent. What do you think?
There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
Comments
Working on the chain gang was not reserved for men alone. Women and young girls could be sentenced too to work on the "county road" as Ma Rainey sings here.
The judge found me guilty, the clerk he wrote it down
The judge found me guilty, the clerk he wrote it down
Just a poor gal in trouble, I know I'm county road bound
Many days of sorrow, many nights of woe
Many days of sorrow, many nights of woe
And a ball and chain everywhere I go
Chains on my feet, padlock on my hand
Chains on my feet, padlock on my hand
It's all on account of stealing a woman's man
It was early this morning that I had my trial
It was early this morning that I had my trial
Ninety days on the county road, and judge didn't even smile.
So, here's a blues song performed by a legend. Should we start with this? From other lyrics I've read by other artists, this seems to be pretty classic in form. I don't know if this is played on piano or guitar, but let's try to create music for the piano. Who plays the piano? Would someone like a stab at creating a blues song in this form? Should the subject be spending the first winter without heat i.e., someone lost job, can't find another, first winter spent without affording heat, can't call someone for help because telephone's turned off. Person still has running water, and was able to pay this month's rent. What do you think?
The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird