We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Broke Down Engine Blues

from Take Yo Time by Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Adapted from the recordings of Blind Willie McTell.

One of the interesting tidbits in "Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes", Michael Gray's book about McTell (and about researching McTell's life in the early 00's) reveals that McTell was like Ray Charles in that he had an incredible memory that he used to overcome his blindness in a number of ways. Multiple sources testify that McTell had an amazingly precise knowledge of the street maps of multiple major cities. No doubt his keen mind assisted him in maintaining a giant repertoire of songs that he could roll out on command.

Few other musicians in early blues could sing as beautifully or pick the guitar as dazzlingly as McTell. We mainly drew on the 1927 recording for our take on this all-to-obscure blues:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRp02P8SfVA


McTell also recorded the song in 1933:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy8Am4ZQ-gM


And one last time in the 1950s at his last session:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvcl3_DHJI0

Read a wonderful, in-depth biographical piece on the master of the 12-string guitar here:

jasobrecht.com/blind-willie-mctell-life-music/

There is an annual festival held in Georgia every spring to commemorate McTell: www.blindwillie.com

lyrics

Feel like a broke down engine : ain't got no driving wheel
Feel like a broke down engine : ain't got no driving wheel
Been down and lonesome--you know how a poor man feels.

I've been shooting craps and gambling : mama and I done got broke
Been shooting craps and gambling : mama and I done got broke
I done pawned my pistol : mama and my best clothes been sold.

Lordy Lord . . .

I went down to my praying ground : and fell on bended knees
I went down to my praying ground : and fell on bended knees
I ain't crying for no religion : Lordy give me back my good gal please

If you give me my baby : Lord I won't worry you no more
If you give me my baby : Lord I won't worry you no more
You ain't got to put it in my house : Lordy only lead her to my door

Lordy Lord . . .


Don't you hear me baby : rappin on your door
Don't you hear yo daddy : rappin on your door
Then I get down snake-like and tappin flat, slip light ‘cross your floor.

Feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no drivers at all.
Feel like a broke down engine, ain't got no drivers at all.
What makes me love my woman--she can really do the Georgia crawl.
Lordy, lord . . .

Feel like a broke down engine : ain't got no whistle or bell.
Feel like a broke down engine : ain't got no whistle or bell.
If you's a real hot mama--drive away daddy's weeping spell
I won’t be back no mo’, baby.

credits

from Take Yo Time, released November 14, 2014
Ben Hunter - fiddle, vocals
Joe Seamons - banjo, vocals

license

tags

about

Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons image

Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons Seattle, Washington

Ben & Joe give life to voices that have long been silenced in American culture.

Their award- winning performances are highlighted by story-telling that shows how the past still lives in the present.

Through their songs, audiences witness current issues crop up again and again in folk songs, dance tunes, acoustic blues, and original traditional songs. ... more

contact / help

Contact Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons recommends:

If you like Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now