Sleepy John Estes

Today is the anniversary of the death in 1977 of Sleepy John Estes. He was born in Ripley, TN, in 1899 into a sharecropping family of 10. His 1929 debut recording was made in Memphis.

Drop Down Mama:

Lyrics:

Now, the old lady, comin' down the line
She were loaded in front, she were bouncin' behind

CHORUS: B'lieve I'll drop down, aahh, I don't feel welcome here
Now, I'm gon' get me a woman for the brand new in-comin' year

Went to the barbershop to get me a shine
Say, "Go away, darkie, to that door down the line."

CHORUS

Met a old lady, had, jug of wine
Say, "Go away, son, you can't play the liar."

CHORUS

Look here, baby, see what you done done
It's made me love you now your man done come

CHORUS

'Way down yonder in the old West End
Women down there look like section men

CHORUS

Someday Baby Blues:

Lyrics:

I don't care how long you're gone, I don't care how long you stay
But that good kind treatment, bring you back home someday

Someday, baby, you ain't gonna worry my mind anymore

I has that wind, that old chilly breeze
Come blowin' through your BVDs, but

Someday, baby, you ain't gonna worry my mind anymore

If you don't quit bettin', boys, them dice won't pass
It's gon' send you home on your yas yas yas, but

Someday, baby, you ain't gonna worry my mind anymore

It ain't but the one thing give a man the blues
He ain't got no bottom in his last pair of shoes, but

Someday, baby, you ain't gonna worry my mind anymore

I tell all the people in your neighborhood
You's a no-good woman, you don't mean me no good, but

Someday, baby, you ain't gonna worry my mind anymore