Nobody Knows You When You re Down And Out

by Ida Cox / B. Feldman recording of 1929 from The Complete Recordings, Vol. 4 (Columbia/Legacy 52838) Once I lived the life of a millionaire, spending my money, I didn't care I carried my friends out for a good time, buying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine Then I began to fall so low, I didn't have a friend, and no place to go So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again, I'm gonna hold on to it till them eagle's grin Nobody knows you when you down and out In my pocket not one penny, and my friends I haven't any But If I ever get on my feet again, then I'll meet my long lost friend It's mighty strange, without a doubt Nobody knows you when you down and out I mean when you down and out Mmmmm, when you're down and out, mmmmm, not one penny And my friends I haven't any, mmmmm, well I felt so low Nobody wants me round their door, mmmmm, without a doubt, No man can use you wen you down and out I mean when you down and out

 

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I cleaned up my tab for Sonny Boy's Help Me and made it into a short book. There's a Kindle version for 99 cents, and if you buy the paperback you get the Kindle free.

Playing "Help-Me" In the Style of Sonny Boy Williamson II: A step by step, note for note analysis of some of Sonny Boy's Signature Riffs