Shipwreck Blues

by Bessie Smith recording of 1931 from The Complete Recordings, Vol. 4 (Columbia/Legacy 52838) Captain, tell your men to get on board Hoist your sail, just pull into another shore I'm dreary in mind and I'm so worried in heart Oh the best of friends sho' has got to part Blow your whistle captain, so your men'll know what to do Blow your whistle captain, so your men'll know what to do When a woman gets dreary ain't no tellin' what she won't do It's cloudy outdoors as can be Oh it's cloudy as can be That's the time I need my good man with me It's rainin' and it's stormin' on the sea It's rainin', it's stormin' on the sea I feel like somebody has shipwrecked poor me

 

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I cleaned up my tab for Sonny Boy's Help Me and made it into a short book. There's a Kindle version for 99 cents, and if you buy the paperback you get the Kindle free.

Playing "Help-Me" In the Style of Sonny Boy Williamson II: A step by step, note for note analysis of some of Sonny Boy's Signature Riffs