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Yellow Dog BluesLouis Armstrong

Songwriter: W. C. Handy

E'er since Miss Susan Johnson lost her Jockey, Lee
There has been much excitement, more to be
You can hear her moaning night and morn
Wonder where my easy rider's gone?

Cable grams come of sympathy
Telegrams go of inquiry
Letters come from down in, 'Bam'
And everywhere that Uncle Sam
Has even a rural delivery

All day the phone rings but it's not for me
At last good tidings fill our hearts with glee
This message comes from Tennessee

Dear Sue, your easy rider struck this burg today
On a south-bound rattler side door Pullman car
Seen him here an' he was on the hog
Spoken the smoke was broke, no joke, not a jitney on him

Easy rider's gotta stay away
So he had to vamp it but the hike ain't far
He's gone where the southern cross' the Yellow Dog

I know the Yellow Dog district like a book
Indeed I know the route that rider took
Ev'ry cross tie, bayou, burg and bog
Way down where the southern cross' the Dog

Money don't zactly grow on trees
On cotton stalks it grows with ease
No race horse, race track, no grand stand
Is like old beck and buckshot land

Down where the southern cross' the Dog
Every kitchen there is a cabaret
Down there the Boll Weevil works while the darkies play
This Yellow Dog blues the live long day

Dear Sue, your easy rider struck this burg today
On a south-bound rattler side door Pullman car
Seen him here an' he was on the hog
Spoken the smoke was broke, no joke, not a jitney on him

Easy rider's gotta stay away
So he had to vamp it but the hike ain't far
He's gone where the southern cross' the Yellow Dog

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong, known throughout his lengthy career by nicknames like “Satchmo”, “Pops” and simply “Louie”, was a trumpeter, composer, singer and occasional actor, as well as one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz.

Born and raised in New Orleans, where jazz itself is alleged to have began, Armstrong started his career in 1918, playing the cornet in brass bands and riverboats along the Mississippi River. There, he caught the attention of his future mentor, King Oliver, joining his band in Chicago, where he networked with other popular jazz musicians like Hoagy Carmichael and his first wife Lil Hardin Armstrong.

In 1924, Louie relocated to New York City playing for the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. It was at this time he switched over from cornet to trumpet in order to blend in better with the other musicians in his section. It was also when he developed his emotional playing style, which included singing and telling tales of his life back in New Orleans.

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Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy, Volume 1

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