On the same day as we publish playlists of songs about authenticity, continuing in our blues thread, none can match that description more fully than the original or all origins who influenced all after him. Robert Johnson has been called the father of the blues, but Son House (1902-1988) was a major influence on him as well as Muddy Waters. From Lyon, Mississippi, he only recorded a handful of songs, and not starting, after years of only working as a preacher, until 1930, when helped by his friend Charley Patton, previously featured here. Like many blues artists, he got some acclaim from the 1960s onwards, but never really the success he deserved. This tragic song was written in 1933, but this clip was recorded in 1985, capturing the power in his voice, and the huge resonance of his guitar playing. Everybody, from Johnson to Hendrix to Richards to Page learned from House. Extra footage is also included on the second video.
I got a letter this morning, how do you reckon it read?
Say, "Hurry, hurry! The gal you love is dead."
I got a letter this morning, I say how you reckon it read?
It say, "Hurry, hurry! The gal you love is dead."
You know I grabbed up my suitcase, took off down the road
When I got there, she was laying on the cooling board
I grabbed up my suitcase, I said I took off down the road
I said when I got there, she was laying on the cooling board
You know, I walked up close, looked down in her face
She's a good old girl, and today had her Judgment Day
I say I walked up close, and I looked down in her face
I say she's a good old girl and today had her Judgment Day
You know, looked like 10,000 people
Were standin' around the buryin' ground
I didn't know I loved her, until I let her down
Looked like 10,000 standin' around the buryin ground
You know I didn't know that I loved her
UntiI I began to let her down
You know I didn't feel so bad
Till the good Lord's sun went down
I didn't have a soul to throw my arms around
I didn't feel so bad until the good Lord's sun went down
I say I didn't have a soul to throw my arms around
You know it's so hard to love when someone don't love you
Don't look like satisfaction, don't care what you do
It's so hard to love someone that don't love you
You know you don't get no satisfaction
Don't care what you do
You know love had a fault
Make you do things you don't want to do
Love sometimes leave you feelin sad and blue
Love had a fault, make you do things you don't want to do
Love sometimes leave you feelin sad and blue.
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