Revenue Man Blues (Version 2)
by Charley Patton recording of 1929-1934 from probably Complete Recorded Works Vol. 3 (1929-1934) (Document DOCD-5011) Ah, the revenue man is runnin', boy, you'd better look out Ah, the revenue man is runnin', boy, you'd better look out (spoken: Boy, if he calls you, you don't stop, boy) If he hollers, you don't stop, you will likely be knocked out Oh, my doe loves her water, well, she always wants a drink (spoken: Got to have a drink) My doe loves her water, 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 the neck Oh, take me home to, Lord, that shiny star I said take me home to that shiny star (spoken: She don't need no tellin', daddy) She don't need no tellin', dad will take you in his car Oh, come on mama, let us, go to the edge of town 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 out on the ground Oh, I wake up every mornin', now, with a jinx all around my bed I wakes up every mornin', with a jinx all around my bed (spoken: You know I had a jinx here) I been a good book abider, but, I believe I've been misled __________ Note: see under version 1 what Skip James has to say about revenue men 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.
