MUDDY'S TEARS ON MAXWELL STREET
by Ellis E. Kell, Jr. - Copyright Pending
1997
In the Key of Chicago
(Standard 16-bar blues, ala "Hoochie Coochie Man")
The ghosts of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Jimmy Reed
Looked down on Pinetop Perkins, sittin' 'n cryin' on Maxwell
Street…
Muddy turned to Wolf and asked him, "Lord, what's
wrong with 'ol Pinetop?"
Pinetop moaned, "Mud, they wants to tear it (all)
down, and we gots to make 'em stop!"
(BUT EVEN) MUDDY'S TEARS ON MAXWELL STREET,
WON'T NEVER WASH AWAY THESE BLUES,
NOR WASH THE FOOTPRINTS FROM THESE SIDEWALKS,
WHAT ONCE WERE GRACED BY (THE) BLUESMEN'S SHOES…
"Lord God, Almighty!" Elmore James cried to
Sonny Boy II,
Little Walter and Big Walter (Horton) both shook their
heads over what to do.
(Then) Hound Dog Taylor grabbed his battered axe, and
sliced right through the night…
And from some distant cloud, Poor Bob yelled "We
gots to make this right!"
(BUT EVEN) MUDDY'S TEARS ON MAXWELL STREET,
WON'T NEVER WASH AWAY THESE BLUES,
NOR WASH THE FOOTPRINTS FROM THESE SIDEWALKS,
WHAT ONCE WERE GRACED BY (THE) BLUESMEN'S SHOES…
Muddy wiped his eyes, and fumbled in his pocket for his
slide,
Tuned his trusty Telecaster, and turned to Wolf there
by his side…
'Bellered "Follow me, full-grown bluesmen…aint
nuthin' left to choose,"
"We'z goin' (home) to save 'ol Maxwell Street, the
cradle of (the) Chicago Blues."
(BUT EVEN) MUDDY'S TEARS ON MAXWELL STREET,
WON'T NEVER WASH AWAY THESE BLUES,
NOR WASH THE FOOTPRINTS FROM THESE SIDEWALKS,
WHAT ONCE WERE GRACED BY (THE) BLUESMEN'S SHOES…
(Repeat Chorus and ad lib…)
YOU CAN'T BULLDOZE OR BLAST…
(THE) HEART AND SOUL FROM THE PAST…
…OF SWEET HOME CHICAGO'S BLUES!
-----------------------------
Inspired by, and written in support of …
THE MAXWELL STREET HISTORIC PRESERVATION COALITION
With much gratitude to Professor Steve Balkin, Roosevelt
University, Chicago,
for his devotion and dedicated efforts on behalf of
this true blue cause.
Ellis E. Kell, Jr.
- May 16th, 1997.
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