Joe Louis and John Henry Blues - Sonny Boy Williamson

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'.