Ramblin' - Live (Video)

Short footage of Johnny Shines (Video)

Vallie Lee by Johnny Shines (Video)

Today, on my birthday, I'd like to share my favorite song by Johnny Shines: Vallie Lee. Enjoy.

Fish Tail

Fish Tail Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in B♭ Blues.

Well I feel so lonesome
Baby hear me when I moan
Well I feel so lonesome
Baby hear me when I moan
Who been playin' my Fishtail, mama
Woo since I've been gone?

I could flash my lights
And my horn won't even blow
I flash lights, mama
Woo and my horn won't even blow
She's got a bad disconnection, baby
Woo well, baby, down below

Coils even buzz, mama
Generator ain't get no spark
Your motor's in a bad condition, got to have
Your battery charged, instead I'm crying
Please, baby, please don't do me wrong
Who been drivin' my Fishtail, mama
Woo since I've been gone?

Who? Who?
Who? Baby hear me when I moan
Who been playin' my Fishtail Cadillac
Woo since I've been gone?

Hey Mr. highway man
Please don't block the road
Who?
Please don't block the road
She ran a cold one hundred, boy
When she booked me she got to go

You Got To Pay The Cost - Live (Video)

Johnny Shines - Sweet Home Chicago; Kindhearted Woman; Crossroads (Live 1973 France) (Video)

Convulsive Blues: Johnny Shines and Davey Williams (Video)

Joliet Blues

Joliet Blues Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in G Blues.

When they sent me to prison
My baby sat down and cried
When they sent me to prison
My baby sat down and cried
She said Daddy, you know that I love you
But you keep me dissatisfied

I said If I didn't love you, baby
I would not have done my crime
I said If I didn't love you, baby
I would not have done my crime
Well now you know I'm awful sorry
For to leave you behind

She was a smooth little woman
Just as sweet as she could be
She was a smooth little woman
Just as sweet as she could be
Well she waited and told many lies
Before she turned her back on me

The Blue Horizon

The Blue Horizon Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in E Blues.

Well look out baby
What you promised me
Well now look at here baby
Know what you promised me
Well the sun gone down
Down behind the tree

Well early this morning
I thought I heard the rooster crow for days
Well early this morning
I thought I heard rooster crow for days
Well all I was doing, tryin' to
Pass the time away

Well now early this morning I
'Fore the sun rise
Well early this morning
'Fore the sun begin to rise
Well I, me and my baby was
Takin' out a full day exercise

Well the sun gone down baby
You know what you promised me
Well the sun gone down and you
Know what you promised me
Well I want you to stick up
Do what you supposed to me

Clip of an Interview with Johnny Shines (Video)

Johnny Shines - Vienna, February 1975 (Video)

Johnny Shines - Ramblin' (Video)

Down In Spirit (Slow Version)

Down In Spirit (Slow Version) Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in E Blues.

Down in spirit
I've got those broken hearted blues
Down in spirit
I've got those broken hearted blues
I can't stand and talk about the weather
I haven't got no time to lose

Well I called up my baby
Tried to make a date
She said "I'm sold out, daddy"
"You was always a little late"
I'm down in spirit
I've got those broken hearted blues
I can't stand and talk about the weather
I just haven't got no time to lose

Well the rich man get the blues
Try to plan it right
Poor man get the blues
He just cry, cry til he get satisfied
Down in spirit
I've got those broken hearted blues
Well I can't stand and talk about the weather
I just haven't got no time to lose

Well I never have been married
But I thought I'd give it a try
When I got around to poppin' the question
my baby was waving me bye bye
Down in spirit
I've got those broken hearted blues
I can't stand and talk about the weather
I just haven't got no time to lose

Trouble's All I See

Trouble's All I See Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in A Blues.

Well trouble trouble
I've had it all my day
Mhmmmmmm
I've had trouble all my day
Well it seem to me like trouble
gonna follow me to my grave

Well the mailman passed by
Boy you didn't leave me any news
Well the mailman passed by
Didn't leave me no news
Well that's why I'm standing here
With these ole buck old blues

Well I dream last night
Woman that I love was dead
Well
Woman I love was dead
Well I didn't have nobody
Set ahold my achin' head

What you say, sugar
Let me hear you talk now

Well I went to the graveyard
Fell down on my knee
Mhmmmmmm
Fell down on my knee
I beg the gravedigger
Gimme back my little Lucy, please

Mhmm gravedigger smile
Boy he looked me in my eye
Mhmmmmmm
And he looked me in my eye
He said I'm sorry for you, BJ
But your sweet woman said her last goodbye

Mmm I throw my arm
And I slowly walked away
Throw my arm, boy, now and
slowly walked away
I said that's alright, Mr. Gravedigger
Somebody gonna cut a six foot hole for you someday

---

↩️ Back to Johnny Shines - Too Wet To Plow (1977 Album)

The Wind Is Blowin'

The Wind Is Blowin' Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in E Blues.

Well I know winds are blowin'
by leaves shakin' on the tree
Well I know the winds are blowin'
by the leaves shakin' on the tree
I know my baby got another man
by the way that she treatin' me

Well I, so many big bears
little bear can't have no show
Well I, so many big bears
little bear can't have no show
I guess I'll pack my suitcase
Beat it on down the road

Blow your little horn, boy

Well baby I came undone
on a child I can't understand
Well baby I came undone
on a child I can't understand
Well I know the winds are blowin'
Yous usin' me for your monkey man

Hey now, hear me go

Well goodbye, baby
I don't have no more to say
Mmmmm goodbye, baby
I don't have no more to say
Well I gotta find a wall to fit my clothes
Well I must be on my way

---

↩️ Back to Johnny Shines - Too Wet To Plow (1977 Album)

30 Days in Jail

30 Days in Jail Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in G Blues.

Mhmmmm mhmmmm
Mhmmmm mhmmmm
Well you don't like me, mama
Why should I be worried about you

Well if it weren't for you, baby
I wouldn't be here today
Well if it weren't for you, baby
Wouldn't be here today
Well you treat me low down and dirty
But I guess that, that's your way

Mhmmmm Low do lo lo lo
Mhmmmm Low do lo lo lo
Well I used to be a sweet man
But now I guess I'm just your dog

Well every time I see you, baby, you
got your mouth washed out
Every time I see you, you
got your mouth washed out
Well I haven't done nothin' to you
And I wonder what it's all about

---

↩️ Back to Johnny Shines - Too Wet To Plow (1977 Album)

Pay Day Woman

Pay Day Woman Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in E Blues.

Tell me, mama
What in the world is wrong with you
Please tell me, mama
What in the world is wrong with you
Well it don't seem like I can please you
No matter what in the world I do

I work hard everyday
Come straight home with all my pay
I work hard everyday
Come straight home with all my pay
Well you find some John
And give all my bread away

I'm gonna buy me a pistol
Nice and long as I am tall
Yes I'm gonna buy me a pistol, woman
Just as long as I am tall
I'm gonna shoot you in your face
While I stand back and watch you fall

Ready to go to penitentiary, woman
I better cut you loose
Ready to go to penitentiary, woman
Ooooh I better cut you loose
Well I wanna kill you
but my best friend said
Ain't no use

---

↩️ Back to Johnny Shines - Too Wet To Plow (1977 Album)

Nobody's Fault But Mine

Nobody's Fault But Mine Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in E Blues.

Well it's nobody's fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
Mmmm if I die my soul will be lost
Nobody's fault but mine

Well I got a bible in my home
Well I got a bible in my home
If I don't read it my soul will be lost
Lord knows it's nobody's fault but mine

Mhmm mother she taught me how to pray
Well mother she taught me how to pray
If I don't pray my soul will be lost
Nobody's fault but mine

Well mother she taught me how to read
Well mother taught me how to read
If I don't read my soul will be lost
It's nobody's fault but mine

Mmmm I got a song to sing
Well I got a song to sing
If I don't sing it my soul will be lost
Nobody's fault but mine

Mmmm I got a prayer to pray
Well I got a prayer to pray
If I don't pray it my soul will be lost
Nobody's fault but mine

Travelling Back Home

Travelling Back Home Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in A Blues.

Well I woke up early this mornin'
feelin' 'round for my shoes
Ooooh Hmmmm
I feelin' 'round for my shoes
Well the reason why I feelin'
I've got them ole ramblin' blues

Well I feel like walkin'
I ain't got no walkin' shoes
Woooo Mmmmm
I ain't got no walkin' shoes
Well I still feel like, baby, I got to
Walk away my blues

Well leavin' early in the mornin'
If I have to ride the blinds
Woooo Mhmmm
If I have to ride the blinds
Well you see I've been mistreated
and I swear I don't mind dyin'

Go ahead, Pop

Well so soon this mornin', baby
My blues, it came fallin' down
Ooooh Mmmmm
My blues came fallin' down
Well I guess I'd better pack up, baby
This old burnin' town

---

↩️ Back to Johnny Shines - Too Wet To Plow (1977 Album)

Mean Black Gobbler

Mean Black Gobbler Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in E Blues.

Well the mean black gobbler
been fishin' in my pond
There's a mean black gobbler
been fishin' in my pond
Well then he catchin' out my perches
Barbecuin' the bone

Well I would hear you baby
I can hear you when you call
I can hear you baby
I can hear you when you call
Well you call me Little Johnny
Baby that ain't all

Mhm
I love to hear you call my name
Mhm
I love to hear you call my name
When she call
I swear it's so dog gone great

I Thought I Heard A Tone

I Thought I Heard A Tone Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in A# / B♭ Blues.

Let's roll

Mmm
Water run down like rain
Ho
Water run down like rain
Well deep down in my heart, baby
There is nothing but achin' pain

Well I'm goin' to the fortune teller
have my fortune read
Ooh
Gonna have my fortune read
Well I don't believe
one thing my baby said

Well I'm going to Louisiana
Get myself a mojo hand
Ooh oh
Get myself a mojo hand
Well I'm gonna show you women
how to treat your man

Church bell ringin'
thought I heard a tone
Church bell ringin' boy now
Lord knows I heard a tone
Well he might know about that damn woman
that I loved, she dead and gone

Two Trains Runnin'

Two Trains Runnin' Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in A Blues.

Two long freight train runnin'
side by side
One stole my woman I guess she's
satisfied
Two long freight train
Runnin' long side by side
Stole my woman I
guess she satisfied

Mister, that boy ain't gonna tell
me no lie
Did my baby stop or did she keep on
riding by
Mister, that boy ain't drivin'
please don't tell me no lie
Did my baby stop here or did she
keep on riding by

Early this mornin'
'bout break of day
Kind-hearted manner
I heard my woman say
Well early this mornin'
Woo 'bout break of day
Well in kind-hearted manner
thought I heard my baby say

Deep and dumb baby
She can't talk
Got one leg and I know
she can't walk
Deep and dumb baby
And I know she can't talk
Got one leg
I know she can't walk

Here my night cap
Don't forget your gown
I'm not so sleepy
But I feel like lyin' down
Here my night cap
Please don't forget your gown
Not so sleepy
But I feel like lyin' down

Abide My Wish

Abide My Wish Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in A Blues.

Please hush I can yell
hush I can yell
Church bell ringin' tone
Church bell ringin' tone
Please hush I can yell
hush I can yell
Church bell ringin' tone

I must keep on ramblin'
cause I am a ramblin' stone
I am a rollin' stone

Don't you down a streetwalker
Don't down a prostitute
They've been my best friend
I'm tellin' you they been my best friend
Don't you down a streetwalker
Don't down a prostitute
They've been my best friend

When I was down and out
they takin' me in
They're the ones takin' me in

Well it's two steps to hell
two step to hell
one to my baby's door
Well it's two steps to hell
two step to hell
one's to my baby's door

Well I guess I'll take two steps
I can't be misused no more
Can't be misused no more

I got to keep on runnin'
keep on runnin'
Feet, please don't fail
Feet, please don't fail
I've got to keep on runnin'
keep on runnin'
Feet, please don't fail
Feet, please don't fail

I must keep on movin'
Hellhounds on my trail
Hellhounds on my trail

I Cry, I Cry

I Cry, I Cry Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in E Blues.

Today you told me you were leavin'
Like a wounded lion hours out to kill
Today you told me you were leavin'
Like a wounded lion hours out to kill
But nothing have changed
All I want to do is live

When you first left me
I cried cried all night long
When you first left me, darlin'
I cried cried cried cried all night long
But now that I've met big Mary
God knows I am glad you're gone

The night you walked out of that door
I cried myself to sleep
The night you walked out of that door
I cried myself to sleep
Now you're somebody else's trouble
God knows you're a bear's to keep

Alright
Let me tell ya

Well if you ever need me
You call me on the phone
If you ever need me, baby
You can call me on the phone
I know Mary wouldn't mind
She made your hell a happy home

I Cry, I Cry (Alternate Take)

I Cry, I Cry (Alternate Take) Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in E Blues.

Today you told me you were leavin'
Like a wounded lion hours out to kill
Today you told me you were leavin'
Like a wounded lion hours out to kill
Nothing have changed
All I want to do is live

When you first left me
I cried all night long
When you first left me, darlin'
I cried cried cried cried all night long
But now I've met big Mary
God knows I am glad you're gone

Well if you ever need me
You'd call me on the phone
If you ever need me, darlin'
You'd call me on the phone
I know Mary don't mind
She made your hell a happy home

Trouble Is All I See

Trouble Is All I See Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in A Blues.

Trouble trouble trouble
Trouble along in the world I see
Trouble
Trouble all along in the world I see
Lord sometimes I wonder
What in the world gonna come of me

Well when I rolled up this morning
Bad luck and trouble around my head
When I rolled up this morning
Bad luck and trouble around my head
I always will remember
Last words I heard my baby say

She said I'm goin' away to leave you
Baby cryin' won't make you stay
She said I'm goin' away to leave you
Baby cryin' won't make you stay
Now always remember baby
Where we used to learn to play

Now if you just got to go
I hope we'll meet again someday
Now if you just got to go
I hope we'll meet again someday
I think of fun we used to have
And the way we used to learn to play

Tell Me Mama

Tell Me Mama Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in A# / B♭ Blues.

Now won't you tell me mama
What in the world is wrong with you
Now won't you tell me mama
What in the world is wrong with you
Well it don't seem like I can please you
No matter what in the world I do

Well I work hard everyday
And I came straight home with all my pay
I work hard everyday
And I came straight home to you with all my pay
Well you even drank my money up, darling
Found someone and give it all away

Tell me, help me woman
Why can't I get along with
Now won't you tell me woman
What in the world is wrong, I can't get along with you
Well everything I do is wrong
No matter what in the world I do

Well I'm going away to leave you
Baby don't you wanna go
Well I'm going away to leave you
Woman don't you wanna go
Well I'm not gonna stay around and be
bothered with your foolishness no more

Mean Black Gobbler (Unissued Version)

Mean Black Gobbler (Unissued Version) Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in E Blues.

Well mean black gobbler fishin' in
in my pond
Catching out my perches, lyin' in
Line up the bones
Well mean black gobbler, boy
been fishin' in my pond
Well catchin' out my perches
barbecuin' the bone

Well brook runs into river, river runs in
into the sea, fellows
Run to my baby somebody gonna have to
Whoa bury me
Well brook run into river, boy
River runs into the sea
If I don't run to my baby
somebody gonna have to bury me

When I die, baby
on some ole highway side
Some ole evil spirit catch that
greyhound bus and ride, whoa
When I die, boy, well
Somewhere down some ole highway side
Some ole old evil spirit catch that
greyhound bus and ride

Well this morning my blues came
fallin' down
Well I out in the country bout a mile and a
half from town
Well early this morning
my blues came fallin' down
Well I out in the country bout a mile and a
half from town

Well some people say the low down
blues ain't bad, but it must of
not have been them low down
ole blues I had
Well some people tell me as though
low down blues ain't bad
Well it must not have been them ole
low down blues I had

Let me have it
Let me tell you somethin'

Won't You Tell Me Mama

Won't You Tell Me Mama Lyrics
by Johnny Shines
in D# / E♭ Blues.

Won't you tell me mama
how you want your rollin' done
Won't you tell me mama
how you want your rollin' done
I'm gonna please you woman
if I have to roll from dusk til dawn

I'm gonna build me a mansion
out on some ole lonesome hill
I'm gonna build me a mansion
out on some ole lonesome hill
Well if one woman don't like it
it be 'bout a hundred and five that will

Well I was born down in Tennessee
down on a cotton farm
Well they called me a daddy's child
see I was his only son
Well he taught me how to write
and I swear to God it's a job well done

Well nobody gonna steal my woman
and it'd be too dangerous to try
Nobody gonna steal my woman
be too dangerous to try
Well if you do
you'd might as well to curse God and die

Welcome!

Welcome to the Johnny Shines Lyric Atheneum. Here, you will find lyrics by the influential, timeless bluesman known as Johnny Shines. All of the lyrics posted here will be interpreted by ear from Shines' available recordings.