Mandolin Man
by 
Hans Theessink 
recording of 1998 
from Lifeline (Blue Groove BG-9020), 
Sounds from the southland from bygone years 
Sweetest music that ever touched my ears 
When I heard sleepy John Estes sing 
First time I heard yank’s mandolin 
Played with Hammie Nixon and Sleepy John 
Kept me glued to the gramophone 
Such a funky sound, it was the real thing 
And I used to love yank’s mandolin 
I met yank Rachell some years ago 
Some place up north, we shared the show 
I felt so proud to be on the bandstand 
Play the blues with the mandolin man 
Such a gentle man with a big old smile 
Rocked the joint, the crowd went wild 
Played the old time blues from way back when 
Yank was known as the mandolin man 
Early last April took up and died 
Angels lifted him up to the sky 
I bet he’s playing in the heavenly band 
Angels boppin’ to the blues of the mandolin man 
Yank Rachell’s gone to another shore 
He’ll never play down here no more 
Ain’t nobody that ever walked the land 
Played the blues like the mandolin ma