Revenue Man Blues (Version 1)
by 
Charley Patton 
recording of 1929-1934 
from probably 
Complete Recorded Works Vol. 3 (1929-1934) 
(Document DOCD-5011) 
Aw, the revenue man 
is ridin', boy, you'd better look out 
(spoken: High sheriff ain't purrty 
Aw, the revenue man is ridin', boy, you'd better look out 
(spoken: Boy, if he hollers you, you don't stop, boy) 
If he hollers you, don't stop, you will likely be knocked out 
Oh, a 
doney 
loves her saltwater 
, well, she always wants a drink 
(spoken: Got to have a drink!) 
My doney loves saltwater, she always wants a drink 
(spoken: Boy, if they see you with a bottle, though) 
If they see you with a bottle, they will almost break your neck 
Oh, take me home to, Lord, that shiny star 
(spoken: Aw sho'!) 
I say take me home to that shiny star 
(spoken: She don't need no tellin's, daddy, aw sho') 
She don't need no tellin', daddy will take you in his car 
Oh, come on, mama, let us, go to the edge of town 
(spoken: Aw sho'!) 
Come on, mama, let us, go to the edge of town 
(spoken: Baby, I know where there's a bird's nest built at) 
I know where there's a bird's nest, built down on the ground 
Oh, I wake up every mornin', now, with a 
jinx 
all around my bed 
(spoken: Aw sho!) 
I wakes up every mornin', with a jinx all around my bed 
(spoken: You know I'll have them jinx forever) 
I have been a good provider, but I believe I have been misled 
__________ 
Note 1: revenue man, probably: government officials commissioned to seek out and destroy illegal liquor distilleries during the times of the Prohibition. Also, possibly, the man who collects the rent, taxes (the taxman) or some other payments that are due. 
Note 2: purrty, according to the Webster dictionary, a low vibratory murmur typical of an apparently contented or pleased cat, in this case it's suppose to express that the sheriff wasn't in a friendly mood; 
Note 3: saltwater, an old synonym for alcohol 
"These scoundrels would get down on their knees and stomachs and crawl through the thickets to those big outfits; two and three at a time. Never under that. And they be's well armed, too; they carries high-powered rifles. Sometimes a rifle and two pistols apiece.... Whenever the revenue mens come 'round and approach you like that, it's always best to give up, to surrender. 'Cause if you don't start shootin' 
them, 
understand, they'll really kill you. 
And then some of them molly dodgers would drink that whiskey. Sure!. They wouldn't report it all; keep some of it for themselves.... Sometimes those guys would get some of those 'stilleries themselves... some of those scoundrels sell those things to a colored person." 
-- Skip James --