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Tishomingo Blues

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Writer(s)
  
Spencer Williams

Language
  
English

Tishomingo Blues

Published
  
New York: Jos. W. Stern & Co. (January 1917)

"Tishomingo Blues" is a famous tune and song by Spencer Williams. The tune was first published in 1917. The title refers to Tishomingo, Mississippi.

Contents

The song was first recorded in 1928 by Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra. It became a jazz standard, and continues to be performed and recorded into the 21st century. Listeners of National Public Radio are familiar with the music, which has been adapted with different lyrics as the theme song of A Prairie Home Companion.

Lyrics

First verse

Oh Mississippi, oh Mississippi My heart cries out for you in sadness I want to be where the wintry winds don't blow Down where the southern moon swings low That's where I want to go

Chorus

I'm goin' to Tishomingo, because I'm sad today I wish to linger way down old Dixie way Oh, my weary heart cries out in pain Oh, how I wish that I was back again With a race, in a place Where they make you welcome all the time Way down in Mississippi, among the cypress trees They get you dippy, with their strange melodies To resist temptation, I just can't refuse In Tishomingo I wish to linger Where they play the weary blues

Second verse

Tonight I'm prayin', tonight I'm sayin' Oh Lord please take the train that takes me To Tishomingo, 'way down old Dixie way Where southern folks are always gay That's why you hear me say I'm goin' to Tishomingo

(Repeat Chorus)

Recordings

  • Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra, 198
  • Bunk Johnson and his New Orleans Band, 1945
  • Big Chief Jazzband, recorded in Oslo, Norway on May 10, 1953 and released on the 78 rpm record His Master's Voice A.L. 3307
  • Sweet Emma Barret and her New Orleans Boys, 1961, with Percy Humphrey (trumpet); Willie Humphrey, clarinet; Jim Robinson, trombone; Emma Barrett, piano; Emanual Sayles, guitar; McNeal Breaux, bass; Josiah Frazier, drums

    • References

    Tishomingo Blues Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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