Vicksburg Blues

by Ken Baake

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about

I don't know much about the history of this song, obviously an African-American blues song from prison. I can't imagine any black folks being in jail in Mississippi in the 1930s. :-)

Still, I like Vicksburg and always try to stop there when traveling east if I am on a southerly route. Great history, and of course the river. I am sure to go the speed limit.

Recorded this with my gourd banjo and Amy mixed it so the banjo sounds like it is jumping out of an old transistor radio.

lyrics

1930 recording
I got the Vicksburg Blues and I sing 'em and ache everywhere I go
I got the Vicksburg Blues and I sing 'em and ache where I go
And the reason I sing 'em is my baby didn't want me know more

I got the Vicksburg Blues and I sing 'em and ache where I sleep
I got the Vicksburg Blues and I sing 'em and ache where I sleep
And the reason I sing 'em is to give my poor soul ease

Now mama I ain't gonna be your lowdown dog no more

And I don't like this old place, mama, and Lord and I never will
And I don't like this old place, mama, and Lord and I never will
All I can sit right here and look at Vicksburg on the hill

credits

Ken, vocals, gourd banjo
Amy Devoge, Engineer/Producer Crossroads Recording Studio, Texas Tech

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about

Ken Baake Lubbock, Texas

Ken was born in Baltimore in 1955. He grew up hearing everyone from Johnny Mercer and Ray Charles to the Beatles on the family hi-fi, with a usual Saturday encore of Wagner's operas. Ken has degrees in English and economics and a background in journalism. He is currently an associate professor of English at Texas Tech, teaching classes in rhetoric. ... more

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