"Viola Lee Blues"

One classic I must make mention of is "Viola Lee Blues" credited to:

Noah Lewis - Gus Cannon Jug Stompers

Gus Cannon (guitar/jug) Elijah Avery (banjo/guitar)

Noah Lewis (harmonica/vocals Hosea Woods (kazoo)

Two versions of this song were recorded by Cannon on Sept.20, 1928 in Memphis Tennesse. The copyright credits the song (the 2nd version) to Noah Lewis.

Grateful Dead "Viola Lee Blues"

Monterey Pop Festival '67

Don't like this version, but then I don't care much for The Dead, Too experimental and mucky for me.

The Wheel "Viola Lee Blues"

Good one, boys!

by Frankie and the boys from 'Long Time Coming'



VIOLA LEE BLUES combination of Take 1 and 2

The judge he pleaded, clerk he wrote it
Clerk he wrote it down, indeedy
The judge he pleaded, the clerk he wrote it down
If you miss jail fellas, you must be Nashville bound.

Some got six months, some got one solid
Some got one solid year, indeedy
Some got six months, some got one solid year
But me and my buddy both got lifetime here.

Fix my supper mama, let me go to her
Let me go to bed, indeed Lord
Fix my supper, let me go to bed
I've been drinkin' white lightnin'
It's gone to my head.

The Judge, he pleaded, the clerk he wrote it
The clerk he wrote it down, he did it
The Judge, he pleaded, the clerk he wrote it down
Ain't got you sinners, You must be Nashville Bound

Some got six months, some got it solid
Some got it solid, yeah, indeedy
Some got six months, some got it solid yeah
Me any my buddy, we got lifetime here

I wrote a letter, I mailed it in there
I mailed it in there, there indeedy
I wrote a letter, I mailed it in there
You know by that, I have a friend somewhere

The Judge, he pleaded, the clerk he wrote it
The clerk he wrote it down, he did it
The Judge, he pleaded, the clerk he wrote it down
Ain't got you sinners, You must be Nashville Bound.

Listen to Viola Lee Blues by Ry Cooder FM

Note: Definition of White Lightnin'

All mp3 versions deactivated