Moon Goin Down
by 
Charley Patton 
recording of 1929-1934 
from 
Charley Patton: Founder Of The Delta Blues (Yazoo L-1020) 
Aw, that moon has gone down, baby, North Star 'bout to shine 
Aw, the moon goin' down, baby, North Star 'bout to shine 
Rosetta Henry told me, "Lord, I don't want you hangin' 'round" 
Oh well, where were you now, baby, 
Clarksdale 
mill burned down 
Oh well, where were you now, babe, Clarksdale mill burned down? 
(spoken: Boy, you know where I were) 
"I were way down 
Sunflower 
with my face all full-a frowns" 
They's a house over yonder, painted all over green 
They's a house over yonder, painted all over green 
(spoken: Boy, you know I know it's over there!) 
Some of the finest young women, Lord, a man most ever seen 
Lord, I think I heard the Helena whistle 
, Helena whistle, Helena whistle blow 
Lord, I think I heard the Helena whistle blow 
(spoken: Well, I hear it blowin' now) 
Lord, I ain't gonna stop walkin' till I get in my 
rider 
's door 
__________ 
Note 1: the upper 
Mississippi Delta 
town of Clarksdale suffered a serious fire in 1899; 
Note 2: whether Patton means the river, the town or the county of Sunflower is unclear; 
Note 3: probably a steamboat or a train named after the city of Helena