Ms. Wiley
Geeshie Wiley & elvie thomas, “last kind words bluies,”
Funny the enduring hold of songs seemingly lost in the ravel of time. it was William Faulkner who said, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Geeshie Wiley’s infectious, haunting number has come back to find new applications, undergoing a retooling, in the repertoires of David Johansen, the Kronos Quartet and Rhiannon Giddens. The eternal usefulness of music. Recorded in the 1930’s w/ guitar accompaniment by Elvie Thomas.
“The last kind words I heard my daddy say
Lord, the last kind words I heard my daddy say
”If I die, if I die in the German war”
”I want you to send my body, send it to my mother, Lord”
”If I get killed, if I get killed, please don’t bury my soul”
”I prefer you leave me out, let the buzzards eat me whole”
When you see me comin’ look ‘cross the rich man’s field
If I don’t bring you flour, I’ll bring you bolted meal
I went to the depot, I looked up at the sun
Cried, some train don’t come, there’ll be some walkin’ done
My mama told me just before she died
”Lord, precious daughter, don’t you be so wild”
The Mississippi River, you know it’s deep and wide
I can stand right here, see my babe from the other side
What you do to me, baby, never gets out of me
I may not see you after I cross the deep blue sea”
Elvie Thomas