Mama Will Be Gone

For the life of me I cannot figure out what Rosa Henderson is saying in that third line. Someday, maybe, I will decipher it. Or someone will enlighten me. Which is to say, please do.

ETA: The folks over at WeenieCampbell.com have offered help deciphering the lyrics of the third line; Uncle Bud suggests "two-time me"; although not everyone is completely satisfied with that, it scans and it makes sense. Thanks, guys and gals!

I'm tired of fussing and calling you down

Your trifling ways is the talk of the town

You played around and tried to two-time me

You caused such misery

Done everything that a sweet mama should

Done everything I could

Still you won't appreciate

Til it will be too late

You're gonna wake some morning

You're gonna be in mourning

Cause sweet mama will be gone

You're gonna wake up sighing

You're gonna wake up crying

You'll be all alone

You used to call me

Your ace in the hole

But papa, papa,

You'll miss sweet jelly roll

You're gonna wake some morning

You're gonna be in mourning

Cause sweet mama will be gone

If You Don't Give Me What I Want (I'm Gonna Get It Somewhere Else)

I learned this one right after "He May Be Your Dog," which my mom helped me figure out. I wanted to try to figure the chords out on my own, and I was tickled to realize that the chord progression is almost identical!

Every day this week I've told you what I need

| G | D |

You promise and you promise but you don't show anything

| G | D |

So listen once for all

| G | D |

For this is my last call

| E - A7 | D |

If you don't give me what I want

| G | E7 |

I'm gonna get it somewhere else

| A7 - D | G --(D-G)

It's pickles to pickles and dill to dill

| G | D |

If you don't give me, someone will

| E - (A7-D) |

You may refuse top give me chops

| G7 -- | C --|

But I know other butcher's shops, and

| E -- | A7--D-- |

If you don't give me what I want

| G | E7 |

I'm gonna get it somewhere else

| A7 - D | G --(D-G)

If you don't give me what I want

I'm gonna get it somewhere else

It's pepper to pepper and salt to salt

If you won't give me, ain't my fault.

For three straight days I have heard you say

"Yes, we have no bananas today," but

If you don't give me what I want

I'm gonna get it somewhere else.

I don't want no ham, I don't want no eggs,

I don't want what I don't want and I sure don't wanna beg

So think it over twice

I'll take a fool's advice

If you don't give me what I want

I'm gonna get it somewhere else

It's ashes to ashes and dust to dust,

If you won't give me, someone must

I'm just a gal what's full of youth

That's why I'm going to tell the truth, so

If you don't give me what I want

I'm gonna get it somewhere else

[instrumental break]

I heard a tune that knocked me cold

But darling you are growing old, and

If you can't give me what I want

I'm gonna go and get it somewhere else.

He May Be Your Dog But He's Wearing My Collar

Good luck finding this baby anywhere else. Rosa Henderson. This isn't the key she sings in, but it's playable, and it's more comfortable for my range. I think it's lower by a Major third.

I'm not ashamed to say what's in my heart

| G | D |

I'm not ashamed to say what's in my heart

| G | D |

Because I know the best of friends must part

| D | D | G | D |

You came to me, you said my dog was yours

| G | D |

You came to me, you said my dog was yours

| G | D |

I'm not ashamed to speak my mind because

| D | D | G | D |

He may be your dog, but he's wearing my collar

| G | G - E |

I'm putting you wise

| A7 - D | G |

He may be your dog, but it's me he'll follow

| G | D |

when he wants good exercise.

| D | A7 - D |

All day long you'll treat him right

| G7 | G7 |

But you'll find him at my house every night

| C9 | D9 - G |

He may be your dog, but he's wearing my collar

| G | G - E |

How you gonna keep him home?

| A7 - D | G |

I'm not ashamed to say when I am wrong

I'm not ashamed to say when I am wrong

Because I know a lie can't stand up long

Down in my home to lie is some disgrace

Down in my home to lie is some disgrace

That's why I mean to tell you to your face:

He may be your dog, but he's wearing my collar

I'm putting you wise

He may be your dog, but it's me he'll follow

when he wants good exercise.

He might eat right off your hand,

But you can't make him beg like Mama can

He may be your dog, but he's wearing my collar

How you gonna keep him home?

[instrumental break]

He's with you each night 'til six

Then he comes over here and does his tricks

He may be your dog, but he's wearing my collar

How you gonna keep him home?