Categories: BluesThe Best Songs

Charley Patton: Pony Blues

If I made records for my own pleasure, I would record Charley Patton songs only.
~Bob Dylan (Press Conference, Rome – July 2001)

Baby, saddle my pony, saddle up my black mare
Baby, saddle my pony, saddle up my black mare
I’m gonna find a rider, baby, in the world somewhere

Hello central, the matter with your line?
Hello central, matter, Lord, with your line?
Come a storm last night an’ tore the wire down

 

Wikipedia:

Released 1929
Format 78 RPM single
Recorded 14 June, 1929
Genre Delta blues
Length 2:58
Label Paramount
Writer(s) Charlie Patton

Pony Blues” is a Delta blues song written and recorded by the archaic bluesman Charley Patton. With the help of record store owner, H. C. Speir, Patton’s first recording session occurred on June 14, 1929, cut six sides, included “Pony Blues” (vocal and guitar), for Paramount Records. The song later became a standard in the Delta region, and appears in the repertoires of many other blues musicians. Patton had a body of his own compositions which he recorded at the session, included “Banty Rooster Blues,” “Down the Dirt Road” and his version of “Mississippi Bo Weavil Blues.”

Pony Blues was included by the National Recording Preservation Board in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2006. The board selects songs in an annual basis that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

Got a brand new Shetland, man, already trained
Brand new Shetland, baby, already trained
Just get in the saddle, tighten up on your reins

And a brown-skin woman like somethin’ fit to eat
Brown-skin woman like somethin’ fit to eat
But a jet black woman, don’t put your hands on me

Took my baby to meet the mornin’ train
Took baby meet that mornin’ train
An’ the blues come down, baby, like showers of rain

I got somethin’ to tell you when I gets a chance
Somethin’ to tell you when I get a chance
I don’t wanna marry, just wanna be your man

Cover versions:

Alvin Youngblood Hart :

Corey Harris:

Son House:

Canned Heat:

Check out:

-Egil

 

Egil

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