I don't do nobody nothin

This is a recording I got from the Library of Congress AFC 1939/001 2671b1. It is a recording of Rev. Nathaniel Hawkins, a.k.a. C.W. "Preacher" Smith and some other unidentified singers. Recorded in 1939 in Arkansas at the Cummins State Farm by John and Ruby Lomax.
Photo is also from Library of Congress call number LOT 7414-E, no. N137, may have been taken at Cummins State Farm 1934.

and here's the lyrics (roughly), if you hear something different, let me know!

Refrain: I don't do nobody nothin', Jesus
But they hates me just the same (repeat these two lines,) Oh, well, well, it's among that Christian family
That They cause my heart to pain
The sinner he don't know nothin' 'bout me oh lord
He don't carry my name;




Oh, well, I tries to stay outa bad company,
You knows I try to save my name;
But somehow or other, O Lord, they' bukes me jes' the same. Oh, well, yonder stands Sister Liza and yonder stands Sister Jane,
Well they can't hold all they conversation, 'thout they 'bukin' my name.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• blues
• old blues
• a cappella
• prison songs
• convicts
• ethnographic recording
• historical recording
• lomax

[IndependentGeorge76]

@benjacho79 it makes me smile that when people talk about past lives, it's always as some romantic, heroic figure, or some rightous oppressed soulful image. you dont hear about them claiming they were a chartered accountant from Huddersfield, or a traffic warden from Safron Waldon ;)

[benjacho79]

I can close my eyes and meditate..I feel the old memories flooding me,of my former life. Why I long so hard, those southern fields..flowers,trees,bayous,h­eat.. It is my depth,it is my roots,..my rhythm.

[idiotfantasy]

@phishhed44 BAd joke



[phishhed44]

Refrain: I don't do nobody nuttin', Satan

But I'm jus a lazy dun nuthin nigro, Oh well I got's crackas to blame

All's they gibs me is shelta an food an a massa to make decishuns

But they pukes on me jus da same, I dinnt do nuttin jus layk yestadaze,

Well, they'z sez I did it so I musta, cuz I dinnt do nuttin jus aint workin in da hot sunny haze, Oh ma Lawdy Jenkums!!! (repeat 8 times)

[phishhed44]

Dinnt do nuffins. Uh-huh. Riiiight.

[MyRollerskater]

And where have you been hiding?????

[Bloody0Martyr]

@jsbach15 Mostly the crime was born in the wrong body. Thankfully that don't happen no more ............

[iBEkewll]

This is amazing the fact that you have this. Thanks for sharing so much.

[THEerizzow]

Some can't simply appreciate something beautiful without making themselves the center of the idea.

[Lu3Zak]

did ever dark night got darker - did ever candle shine stronger - did ever emaciated rise tougher ?

[viniboy514]

look like suffering never made music sound so good