Earlier days…
Skip James – Hard Time Killin’ Floor Blues
Nehemiah Curtis “Skip” James (June 9,[1] 1902 — October 3, 1969[2]) was an American delta blues singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter. Born in Bentonia, Mississippi, he first learned to play guitar from another bluesman from the area, Henry Stuckey. His guitar playing is noted for its dark, minor sound, played in an open D-minor tuning with an intricate fingerpicking technique. James first recorded for Paramount Records in 1931, but these recordings sold poorly due to the Great Depression, and he drifted into obscurity. After a long absence from the public eye, James was “rediscovered” in 1964 by three blues enthusiasts, helping further the blues and folk music revival of the 1950s and early 60s. During this period, James appeared at several folk and blues festivals and gave live concerts around the county, also recording several albums for various record labels. He died in 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His songs have influenced several generations of musicians, being adapted by Kansas Joe McCoy, Robert Johnson, Cream, Deep Purple, Chris Thomas King, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Beck, Big Sugar, and Rory Block.
Lyrics
Hard time’s is here
An ev’rywhere you go
Times are harder
Than th’ever been befo’
Um, hm-hm
Um-hm
Um, hm-hm
Um, hm-hm-hm
You know that people
They are driftin’ from do’ to do’
But they can’t find no heaven
I don’t care where they go
Um, hm-hm
Um-uh-hm
Mm-hm-hm
Um, hm-hm-hm
People, if I ever can get up
Off a-this old hard killin’ flo’
Lord, I’ll never get down
This low no mo’
Um, hm-hm-hm
Hm, um-hm
Hm, hm-hm
Hm, hm-hm-hm
Well, you hear me singin’
This old lonesome song
People, you know these hard times
Can’t last us so long
Hm, hm-hm
Hmm, hmm
Hm, hm-hm
Hm, hm-hm, oh Lord
You know, you’ll say you had money
You better be sho’
But these hard times gon’ kill you
Just drive a lonely soul
Um, hm-hm
Umm, hmm
Umm, hm-hm
Hm, hm-hm-hm
Umm-hm
Hmm-hm-hm
Umm-hm
Hm-hm-hm
Hmm, hm-hm-hm
😀 Thanks for the link 😀
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😉 ♥
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I hadn’t appreciated blues or jazz until I matured. Still don’t know a lot about but I know when I like something. N.i.c.e. ❤
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Same here. Then i had a friend back in Albuquerque. I called her the Evangelist of Blues. It struck a chord with me that never stopped resonating.
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Aahhhh. I used to love music in the background as I seat over my keyboard but even turned down I find it a distraction and my brain goes on strike. I don’t understand why. ❤
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Hi, thanks for your comment. I know what you mean! ♥
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
The origins of our music today come from the artists that are long gone and mostly forgotten. The blues is one of the most evocative styles of music and I find myself drawn to today’s musicians such as Handa McCraw & The Internationals who keep the legacy of these old timers alive. Thanks 1EarthUnited for sharing.
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Hi, so glad you enjoyed this piece, come back anytime! 🙂
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