One of my favorite bluesman is the mysterious King Solomon Hill, likely named after a church in Louisiana but born in Mississippi. He recorded a handful of songs in 1932.
"Gone Dead Train" is perhaps his most famous song. (See lyric below.)
It now seems likely that his real name was Joe Holmes, who was born in 1897 and died in 1940 or 1947. It is likely that he associated with Sam Collins and Blind Lemon Jefferson.
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| King Solomon Hill Baptist Church, Yellow Pine, Louisiana |
THE GONE DEAD TRAIN
And I'm goin' Winden* — Lord, I'm gonna try to leave here today
Tell 'em I believe I'll find my [way?] — And that train is just that way
Gotta go on that train — I said I'd even broke my [jaw?]
Boys, if you out and runnin' around in this world — this train will wreck your mind
(Spoken: Your life, too)
Lord, I once was a hobo — I crossed a [many point?]**
But I decided I'd go down for a fast life — And take it as it comes
(Spoken: I reckon' you know the fireman and the engineer would, too)
There are so many people — have gone down today
And this fast train Northern Southern — traveling [light and clear?]
Oooo-ooh — I wanna ride your train
I said, "Look here, engineer — can I ride your train?"
He said, "Look here, you oughta know this train ain't mine — and you're asking me in vain"
Said, "You go to the Western Union — you might get a chance"
(Spoken: I didn't know the Western Union run no train)
Said, "You go to the Western Union — you might get a chance"
You might go wire to some of your people — and your fare will be sent right here
(Spoken: I thought that's the way it is)
I wanna go home — and that train is done gone dead
I wanna go — that train is done gone dead
I done lost my wife and my three little children — and my mother's sick in bed
Oooo-ooh please — help me win my fare
'Cause I'm a travelin' man — boys I can't stay there
*It's likely that Hill meant to sing "Minden," the name of a town with which he was associated
**"Point" is a railroad term
*It's likely that Hill meant to sing "Minden," the name of a town with which he was associated
**"Point" is a railroad term
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| From Barrelhouse Words: a blues dialect dictionary |
