Joe Louis and John Henry Blues

With Big Bill Broonzy — guitar, Walter Davis — piano
Record: July 21st 1939, Chicago, Illinois
Chicago 1937−1945 by Fremeaux& Associates #FA 253
Well, while I was sit’n at Madison Square Gardens
Now, just to watch the big fight come through
Hoo-hoo, well
Well, just to watch the big fight come through
Well-well, the 'right-left' that Joe Louis was usin'
Hoo-well, man
Give John Henry, Louis’s head the blues, now
Well-well, then Joe’s manager pat him on the shoulders
Says, 'Joe, don’t you use that right so fast'
Hoo-well, said, 'Let me talk with you, now'
Said, 'Please don’t use that right so fast'
Well-well, I say 'You stop 'n let John Henrys catch his breaf'
Hoo-hoo, well 'just as long as he can last'
Well, that night I didn’t have but fifty cents
I was in Jackson wuppin' with the wimen an men
Hoo-well
Down in Jackson wuppin' with the wimen an men
Well-well, then I betted my fifty cents on Joe
Hoo-hoo-well, now it time I won my fifty cent back, again
(harmonica & instrumental)
('Yas, yas, play it for me, you know')
Well-well, then John Henry’s manager told him
He says, 'John Henry why don’t you use yo' right, now?'
Hoo-well, says, 'Son let me talk wit’ch you'
'John Henry why don’t you use yo' right?'
Well-well, he said, 'Joe Louis 'ill block you wit' a-left'
Hoo-well man, 'An I swear man he just makes you tired'.