McTell, Blind Willie Filmography

• Blind Willie's Blues: A Documentary Film (1997)

• Lyrics: play full screen play karaoke
• Blind Willie McTell - Bob Dylan
• Blind Willie McTell - Band
• Blind Willie McTell - The Band
• Statesboro Blues - Blind Willie Mctell
• Southern Can Is Mine - Blind Willie Mctell
• Dark Night Blues - Blind Willie Mctell
• Broke Down Engine - Blind Willie Mctell
• Boll Weevil - Blind Willie Mctell
• Searching The Desert For The Blues - Blind Willie Mctell
• On The Cooling Board - Blind Willie Mctell
• Mama 't Ain't Long Fo' Day - Blind Willie Mctell
• Little Delia - Blind Willie Mctell
• Lay Some Flowers On My Grave - Blind Willie Mctell
• Last Dime Blues - Blind Willie Mctell
• Kind Mama - Blind Willie Mctell
• I Got To Cross The River Jordan - Blind Willie Mctell
• Dying Crapshooters Blues - Blind Willie Mctell
• Delia - Blind Willie Mctell
• Death Cell Blues - Blind Willie Mctell
• You Was Born To Die - Blind Willie Mctell
• Wabash Cannonball - Blind Willie Mctell

Seen the arrow on the doorpost
Saying, "This land is condemned
All the way from New Orleans
To Jerusalem."
I traveled through East Texas
Where many martyrs fell
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell
Well, I heard the hoot owl singing
As they were taking down the tents
The stars above the barren trees
Were his only audience
Them charcoal gypsy maidens
Can strut their feathers well
But nobody can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell
See them big plantations burning
Hear the cracking of the whips
Smell that sweet magnolia blooming
(And) see the ghosts of slavery ships
I can hear them tribes a-moaning
(I can) hear the undertaker's bell
(Yeah), nobody can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell
There's a woman by the river
With some fine young handsome man
He's dressed up like a squire
Bootlegged whiskey in his hand
There's a chain gang on the highway
I can hear them rebels yell
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell
Well, God is in heaven
And we all want what's his
But power and greed and corruptible seed
Seem to be all that there is
I'm gazing out the window
Of the St. James Hotel
And I know no one can sing the blues

Seen the arrow on the door post
Saying, "This land is condemned"
All the way
From New Orleans to Jerusalem
I traveled through East Texas
Where many martyrs fell
And I know one thing, nobody can sing
Them blues like blind Willie McTell
Well, I heard the hoot-owl singing
As they were taking down the tents
The stars above all the barren trees
Were his only audience
Yeah, them charcoal gypsy maidens
Can strut their feathers well
And I know one thing, nobody can sing
Them blues like blind Willie McTell
See them big plantations a-burning
Can't you hear the cracking of the whips?
Smell that sweet magnolia blossom blooming
See the ghosts of the slavery ships
Well, I can hear them tribes a-moanin'
I can hear the undertaker's bell
And I know one thing, nobody can sing
Them blues like blind Willie McTell
There's a woman, she's standing by the river
She is with some fine young handsome man
See he's all dressed just like a squire
He's got bootleg whiskey in his hand
Yeah, there's a chain-gang out on the highway
And I can hear them rebels yell
And I know one thing, nobody can sing
Them blues like blind Willie McTell
God, oh God is in Heaven
And we all want what is His
But the power and greed, the corruptible seed
Seems to be all that there is
Hey, hey, I'm a-gazing out the window
Of the St. James Hotel
And I know one thing, nobody can sing
Them blues like blind Willie McTell
Hey, hey, I know one thing, nobody can sing

Ebm Bb Ebm Ebm Bb Ebm
Seen the arrow on the door post saying "This land is condemned"
Ebm Bb C# G# B C# Ebm
All the way from New Orleans to Jerusalem.
I traveled through East Texas where many martyrs fell
And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell.
Well, I heard the hoot-owl singing as they were taking down the tents
The stars above all the barren trees were his only audience.
Yeah, them charcoal gypsy maidens can strut their feathers well
And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell.
See them big plantations a-burning, can't you hear the cracking of the whips,
Smell that sweet magnolia blossom blooming, see the ghosts of the slavery ships.
Well, I can hear them tribes a-moanin', I can hear the undertaker's bell
And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell.
There's a woman she's standing by the river, she is with some fine young handsome man
See he's all dressed just like a squire, he's got bootleg whiskey in his hand.
Yeah, there's a chain-gang out on the highway and I can hear them rebels yell
And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell.
God, oh God is in Heaven and we all want what is His
But the power and greed, the corruptible seed seems to be all that there is.
Hey, hey, I'm a-gazing out the window of the St. James Hotel
And I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell.
Hey, hey, I know one thing, nobody can sing them blues like Blind Willie McTell.

Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low
Wake up mama, turn your lamp down low
Have you got the nerve to drive Papa McTell from your
door?
My Mother died and left me reckless, my Daddy died and
left me wild, wild, wild
Mother died and left me reckless, Daddy died and left
me wild, wild, wild
No, I'm not good lookin' but I'm some sweet woman's
angel child
You're a mighty mean woman, to do me this a-way
You're a mighty mean woman, to do me this a-way
Going to leave this town, pretty mama, going away to
stay
I once loved a woman, better than I ever seen
I once loved a woman, better than I ever seen
Treated me like I was a king and she was a doggone
queen
Sister, tell your Brother, Brother tell your Auntie,
Auntie, tell your Uncle,
Uncle tell my Cousin, Cousin tell my friend
Goin' up the country, Mama, don't you want to go?
May take me a fair brown, may take me one or two more
Big Eighty left Savannah, Lord, and did not stop
You ought to saw that colored fireman when he got that
boiler hot
Reach over in the corner, hand me my travelin' shoes
You know by that, I got them Statesboro blues
Sister got 'em, daddy got 'em
Brother got 'em, mama got 'em
Woke up this morning, we had them Statesboro blues
I looked over in the corner,

Now look here momma let me tell ya this
If ya wanna get crooked i'll even give ya my fist
Ya might read from revelation back to genesis
Ya keep crooked your southern can belongs to me
So there ain't no use in bringin no jive to me
Your southern can is mine in the mornin
Your southern can belongs to me
Ya might go uptown have me arrested, put in jail
Some hotshots got money gonna pull my bail
Soon as i get out, hit the ground
Your southern can is worth a dollar a half a pound
So there ain't no use in bringin no jive to me
Your southern can is mine, talkin about it
Your southern can belongs to me
Ya might take it from the south, baby, hide it up north
Understand ya can't rule me and be my boss
Take it from the east and hide in the west
But when i get ya momma your can'll see no rest
So there ain't no use in bringin no jive to me
Your southern can is mine, i'm screamin
Your southern can belongs to me
Now baby, ashes to ashes, sand to sand
When i hit ya momma then ya feel my hand
Give ya punch through that barbed wire fence
When i hit ya baby, ya know i make no sence
So there ain't no use in bringin no jive to me
Your southern can is mine, i know it
Your southern can belongs to me
Now look here woman, don't get hot
I'm gettin me a brick outta my backyard
So there ain't no use in bringin no jive to me
Your southern can is mine, i'm takin about it
Your southern can belongs to me
Well if i catch you momma down in the heart of town
I'm gonna grab me a brick and tear your can on down
So there ain't no use in bringin no jive to me
Your southern can is mine, i know it
Your southern can belongs to me
You may get death-bed sick, 'cause you're graveyard
bound
I'm gonna make you moan like a graveyard hound
So there ain't no use in bringin no jive to me
Your southern can is mine, i'm screamin

I got the dark night blues
I'm feeling awful bad
I got the dark night blues
Mama, I'm feeling awful bad
That's the worst ol' feeling
That a good man have ever had
I followed my brown
From the depot to the train
I followed my fair brown
From the depot to the train
And the blues came down
Like dark night showers o' rain
I drink so much whiskey
I stagger when I'm sleep
Drink so much whiskey
I stagger when I'm sleep
My brains are dark and cloudy
My mind's gone to my feet
I got the blues so bad
I can feel them in the dark
I got the blues so bad
I can feel them in the dark
And one dark and dreary morning
Baby, when you broke my heart
I got a fair brown in Atlanta
Got one in Macon too
I got a fair brown in Atlanta
Got one in Macon too
I got one in Statesboro
Give me them old dark night blues
Everything I told you
Went and told your outside man
Everything I told you
Mama, you went and told your outside man
But I want to tell you something
Your good man can't stand
Riding the PNP Special
Mama, and I'm leaving this town
Riding the PNP Special
Baby, and I'm leaving this town
Say you didn't want me

Feel like a broke down engine, mama
Ain't got no drivin' wheel, lord have mercy
Feel like a broke down engine, mama
Ain't got no drivin' wheel
You all been down and lonley
You know just how Willie McTell feels
But it's, Lordy Lord, Lordy, Lordy Lord
Lordy Lord , Lordy, Lordy Lord
I've been shooting craps and gambling
Good God, and I done got broke
I've been shooting craps and gambling
Sweet mama, and I done got broke
I done pawned my 33 special, good gal
And my clothes been sold
I even went down in my praying ground
Dropped down on bended knees
I went down to my praying ground
And dropped on bended knees
I ain't crying for no religion
Lordy, give me back my good girl please
But it's Lordy Lord, Lordy, Lordy Lord
Lordy Lord, Lordy, Lordy Lord, Lord, Lordy Lord
If you give me my baby
Lord, I won't worry you no more
If you give me my baby
Lord, I won't worry you no more
You ain't got to put her in my house
Lordy, only lead her to my door
Lordy, Lord
Don't you hear me, baby
Knocking on your door?
Don't you hear your daddy, mama
Knocking on your door?
Can?t I get out singing, living 'n' tapping
Flatting, slip right across your floor
Lordy Lord, Lordy, Lordy Lord, Lordy Lord

Boll weevil, boll weevil, where you get your great
long bill?
"I got it from Texas, I got it from the western hills
"I got it from Texas, I got it from the western hills"
Boll weevil, he told the fireman, said "Don't you buy
no more pills.
Ain't gon' make enough money to pay your
drugstore bills.
You ain't going to make enough money to even pay
your drugstore bills"
Boll weevil, he told the farmer "Don't you plow
no more.
Ain't gonna make enough flour in your back door.
You ain't gonna make enough flour to even put in your
back door"
Boll weevil, he told the farmer, "Don't buy no
Ford machine.
You ain't going to make enough money to even
buy gasoline."
Boll weevil said to the farmer, "Don't buy no
more pills.
Ain't going to make enough money to even buy
your meal.
Won't make enough money to even buy your meal"
So now, boll weevil, boll weevil where you say you
get your long bill?
"I got it from Texas, out in the western hills,

You may search the ocean, you might go 'cross the deep blue sea
But mama, you'll never find another hot shot like me
I followed my baby from the station to the train
And the blues came down like night and showered me
I left her at the station wringing her hands and crying
I told her, she had a home just as long as I had mine
I've got two women and you can't tell them apart
I've got one in my bosom and one I got in my heart
The one in my bosom, she's in Tennessee
And the one in my heart, don't even give a darn for me
I used to say a married woman was the sweetest thing that ever been born
But I've changed that thing, you better leave married women alone
Take my advice, let these married women be
'Cause their husbands'll grab you, beat you ragged as a cedar tree
When a woman say, she love you 'bout good as she do herself
I don't pay her no attention, tell that same line to somebody else
I really don't believe no woman in the whole round world do right
Act like an angel in the daytime, mess by the ditch at night
I'm going, pretty mama, please don't break this rule
That's why I'm searching these deserts for the blues
I'm going, pretty mama, searching these deserts now
That's why I'm walking my baby home anyhow
Lord, oh Lord
Lordy, Lordy, Lord
Oh Lordy Lord
Lord, Lord, Lord
When a woman say, she love you 'bout good as she do herself
I don't pay her no attention, tell that same line to somebody else
Lord, Lord

Undertaker, undertaker, please take it slow
You're takin' the one I love, won't bring her back no
more
Don't a man feel bad, when his baby's on the coolin'
board
Don't a man feel bad, when the hearse pulls up to his
door
Undertaker, undertaker, don't drive so fast,
seem like every minute going to be my last
I tried to help her, people, I did all that I could,
one out of a million who meant me any good
When I walked up to her bedside, her breath was gettin'
She looked at me and said, "Honey, I can't love you no
more"
My heart struck sorrow, my tears falling down,
watching my baby settled into the ground
Said I walked up to where they're throwing dirt in Ella's
face
Wanted to jump into her grave and take her place
I realize I won't see my girl again,

Wake up mama, don't you sleep so hard
Wake up mama, don't you sleep so hard
For it's these old blues walkin' all over your yard
I've got these blues [Incomprehensible] I'm not satisfied
I've got these blues, I'm not satisfied
That's the reason why I stroll away and cry
Blues grabbed me in midnight, they didn't turn me loose till day
Blues grabbed me in midnight, didn't turn me loose till day
I didn't have no mama to drive these blues away
The big star fallin', mama 't ain't long fo' day
The big star fallin', mama 't ain't long fo' day
[Incomprehensible] sunshine I drive these blues away

Delia, Delia, how can it be?
You love that old rounder, but you don't love me
Well, that's one more rounder gone
Delia, Delia sitting all around
Some of your old rounders gonna pay my way back home
Sitting on the housetop, high as I can see
You love that old rounder, but you don't love me
Delia's poor mother took a trip out West
When she returned, Delia lyin' in rest
Delia's mother wept, Delia's father moaned
They'd have wanted their poor child to die at home
Rubber tired buggy, two-seated hack,
took Delia to the graveyard, never brought her back
Kenny lookin' high, Kenny lookin' low,
Shot poor Delia with that hated .44
Delia, Delia, wouldn't take no one's advice
Last words I heard her say were, "Jesus Christ!"
Judge said to Kenny, "Here's a natural fact:
you going to wait in jail till Delia come back"
Kenny's in the basement, drinking from a silver cup
Delia's in the graveyard, never come back up
Kenny said to judge, "What's the fuss about?

You must lay some flowers on my grave
You must lay some flowers on my grave
My mother and father have gone
Left me in this world alone
You must lay some flowers on my grave
My father was a roll sport and a gambler too
And he loved makin' and just singin' the blues
I hope my heart will change
I don't want to die the same
You must lay some flowers on my grave
Put a wreath of flowers at my right side
Then you'll know that McTell's satisfied
Put a bouquet in my breast
You know poor boy's gone to rest
You must lay some flowers on my grave
Now when this old building is fallin' down
Just lay me six feet in the cold, cold ground
Wrap me up in the solid clay
'Cause I come here to die one day
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave
What a moaning glory at my hidden feet
Then you'll know that McTell's gone to sleep
On my headboard write my name
I leave 'em many girl's heart in pain
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave
Don't snatch the pillow from under my head
Don't grieve and worry after the days I'm dead
When I bid you this last goodbye
Don't none of you womens cry
You just lay some flowers on my grave
Now when I'm gone, come no more
And [Incomprehensible]
When you hear that coughing sound
You'll know McTell is in the ground
Hot mama, lay some flowers on my grave
Now when the poor boy's dead and gone
I'm left in this old world all alone
When you hear that church bell toll
You'll know McTell's dead and gone

Broke and ain't got a dime (repeat)
everybody get in hard luck sometime.
Standin' on Cairo Street one day (repeat)
one dime was all I had.
Mama, don't treat your daughter mean (repeat)
you're the meanest woman I have most ever seen.
Do you want your friend to be buried like Jesse James
(repeat)
give me two big pistols (on the way?) and a passenger
train.
One dime was all I had (repeat)
tryin' to be a sportin' man.
I bought the mornin' news (repeat)
and I bought (sounds like seagull but I might guess)

She's a real kind mama looking for another man
She ain't got nobody to hold her hand
Way down yonder on Cripple Creek
Hemp don't grow but sixteen feet
Would go to bed but it ain't no use
They pile up on the bed like chickens on a roost
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
And she ain't got nobody to hold her hand
The rooster chew tobacco and the hen dip snuff
Said he can't
shimmy
but he
struts his stuff
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
And she ain't got nobody to hold her hand
See that fella with that derby
Look good to me just as sure as you're born
I'll tell you the truth and it's a natural fact
Shoulda been a rule 'gainst being that black
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
And she ain't got nobody to hold her hand
See that fellow that's standing right there
He don't live here but he's somewhere
Little patch of hair right around his mouth
Like he swallowed a mule and left his tail hanging out
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
She ain't got nobody to hold her hand
Wake up in the morning at a half past three
Thanks pretty mama done put out what I need
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
And she ain't got nobody to hold her hand
Soon in the morning at half past four
Hot shot
rider
rappin' at her door
She's a real kind mama looking for another man
She ain't got nobody in town to hold her hand
Went to the door and the door was locked
Think that baby tryin' to
eagle rock
She's a real kind mama looking for another man

I got to cross that river of Jordan
Lord, I got to cross that for myself
Says, nobody here can cross that for me
Lord, I got to cross that for myself
And I got to meet my dear old my mother
I got to meet her for myself
Left nobody here can meet her for me
Lord, I got to meet her for myself
I got to stand my trial and my judgment
I got to stand that for myself
Left nobody here can stand that for me
So I got to stand that for myself
Jordan river is so hard to swim in
I got to cross that for myself
Says, nobody here can cross that for me
Lord, I got to cross that for myself
I got to face my dear savior
I got to face him for myself
Says, nobody here can face him for me
Lord, I got to face him for myself
And I got to work soul salvation
Lord, I got to work that for myself
Left nobody here can work that for me
Says, I got to work out for myself
So I got to meet my mother and father
I got to meet them for myself
Says, nobody here can meet them for me
Lord, I got to meet them for myself
Ain't nobody here can stand that for me
Lord, I got to stand that for myself
So I got to lie so lonesome graveyard
I got to lie there for myself
Ain't nobody here can lie there for me

Little Jesse was a gambler night and day
He used crooked cards and dice
He was a sinful boy, good hearted but had no soul.
His heart was hard and cold like ice
Little Jesse was a wild, reckless gambler, won a gang
of change.
And a many gambler's heart he left in pain.
Little Jessie began to lose his money,but he was all
alone.
And his heart had even turned to stone.
The police walked up and shot my friend Jesse down.
Said, "Boys I got to die today."
He had a gang of crapshooters and gamblers at
his bedside,
But hear the words he had to say.
"I guess I ought to know how I wants to go."
(How you want to go, Jesse?)
"I wants eight crapshooters for my pallbearers.
Let 'em all be dressed out in black.
I want nine men going to the graveyard,
But only eight men comin' back.
I wants a gang of gamblers gathered around my
coffin-side,
With a crooked card printed on my hearse
Don't say the crapshooters are lible to grieve
over me.
My life been a doggone curse
Send poker players to the graveyard
Dig my grave with the ace of spades
I want twelve polices in my funeral march
High sheriff playin' blackjack, lead the parade
I want the judge and solic'ter who jailed me 14 times
Put a pair of dice in my shoes (then what?)
Let a deck of cards be my tombstone
I got the dyin' crapshooter's blues
Sixteen real good crapshooters
Sixteen bootleggers1 to sing a song
Sixteen racket men2 gamblin'
Couple tend bar while I'm rollin' along
He wanted 22 womens outta the Hampton Hotel
26 off-a South Bell
29 women outta North Atlanta
Know little Jesse didn't pass out so swell
His head was achin', heart was thumpin'
Little Jesse went to hell bouncin' and jumpin'
Folks, don't be standin' around ole Jesse cryin'
He wants everybody to do the Charleston3 whilst he
dyin'
One foot up, a toenail dragging
Throw my buddy Jesse in the hoodoo wagon
Come here mama with that can of booze
The dyin crapshooter's, leavin' the world
The dyin' crapshooter's, goin' down slow

Delia, Delia, how can it be?
You love that old rounder, but you don't love me
Well, that's one more rounder gone
Delia, Delia sitting all around
Some of your old rounders gonna pay my way back home
Sitting on the housetop, high as I can see
You love that old rounder, but you don't love me
Delia's poor mother took a trip out West
When she returned, Delia lyin' in rest
Delia's mother wept, Delia's father moaned
They'd have wanted their poor child to die at home
Rubber tired buggy, two-seated hack,
took Delia to the graveyard, never brought her back
Kenny lookin' high, Kenny lookin' low,
Shot poor Delia with that hated .44
Delia, Delia, wouldn't take no one's advice
Last words I heard her say were, "Jesus Christ!"
Judge said to Kenny, "Here's a natural fact:
you going to wait in jail till Delia come back"
Kenny's in the basement, drinking from a silver cup
Delia's in the graveyard, never come back up
Kenny said to judge, "What's the fuss about?

They got me 'cused for murder and I haven't even harmed a
They got me 'cused for murder but I haven't even harmed a
They got me charged with burglin' and I haven't even
raised my hand
The judge won't give me no fine
The judge won't give me no fine
Ain't but one thing could release me and that's so far
beside
I'll have to give you my number, 5994
I'll have to give your my number, 5994
Because I'll be there forever, I've have no other place
to go
They got me 'cused for forging and I can't even write my
name
Well they got me 'cused of forging and I can't even write
my name
And my eyes still don't miss, my baby left my poor heart
in pain

Spoken "oh, Play that thing boy, I know you're blue... "
Don't want no woman
That run around
Stay out in the street
And like a badfoot clown
You made me love you
And you made me cry
You should remember, that you were born to die...
The stream are yellow
Tossed it black and brown
I gotta black woman
Used to be the woman in town
You made me love you
And you made me cry
You should remember, that you were born to die...
"play it now for me..."
I'm home at morning
Face full of frown
I know about that baby
You been running around
You made me love you
And you made me cry
You should remember, that you were born to die...
Now look here woman
Give me your right hand
I thought you my woman
You go to your man
You made me love you
And you made me cry

From the great Atlantic Ocean to the wide Pacific shore
From the green and flowing mountains to the south belt
by the shore
She's mighty tall and handsome, and known quite well by
She's the combination known as the Wabash Cannon Ball
Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodlands, o'er the hills and
by the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear that lonesome
hobo squall
You're travelling through the jungles on the Wabash
Cannon Ball
She came down from Birmingham, one cold December day
As she rolled into the station, you could hear all the
people say
There's a girl from Tennessee, she's long and she's
tall
She came down from Birmingham on the Wabash Cannonball
Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
as she glides along the woodland, o'er the hills and by
the shore
hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear that lonesome
hobo squall
you're travelling through the jungles on the Wabash
Cannon Ball
Our Eastern states are dandy, so the people always say
From New York to St. Louis and Chicago by the way
From the hills of Minnesota where the rippling waters
fall
No changes can be taken on that Wabash Cannon Ball
Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland, o'er the hills and by
the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear that lonesome
hobo squall
You're travelling through the jungles on the Wabash
Cannon Ball
Here's to Daddy Claxton, may his name forever stand
And always be remembered 'round the courts of Alabam'
His earthly race is over and the curtains 'round him
fall
We'll carry him home to victory on the Wabash Cannon
Ball
Listen to the jingle, the rumble and the roar
As she glides along the woodland, o'er the hills and by
the shore
Hear the mighty rush of the engine, hear that lonesome
hobo squall
You're travelling through the jungles on the Wabash