Looking for blues song about a chair.

January 10, 2006 8:32 AM

About 10 years ago, I heard a classic blues song by a female vocalist that pops back into my head. The song lyrics are a double entendre with the vocalist talking about a chair, with verses for the legs, seat and back, possibly more. Does it spark anybody's memory?

I thought it was Georgia White's "I'll Keep Sittin' on It (If I Can't Sell It)," but while the voice sounds close, the lyrics don't quite match. I seem to remember the DJ saying it was from the 30's, but I could be wrong on that. I seem to remember the arrangement as minimalist with vocalist, guitar, and perhaps harmonica. The show in question was a locally produced Indiana blues show hosted by Tom Roznowski if that helps at all (the show was local, not the music.) Links to lyrics would be appreciated.

posted by KirkJobSluder to media & arts (2 comments total)

I don't know, but the guy who runs this excellent pre-war blues blog might know if you email him directly.
posted by missmobtown at 10:50 AM on January 10, 2006

Is it "Rockin' Chair Mary"?

Transcribed from vocals by Pigmeat Pete (Wesley Wilson) and Catjuice Charlie (Harry McDaniels), recorded April 8, 1931
From Coot Grant and Kid Wilson, Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, v. 2: 1928-1931, Document Records, DOCD-5564.

A rockin' chair was made for comfort,
I never believed in signs,
But when Mary starts to rockin'
She sure will change your mind.

Oh, Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
I really don't know where.
Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
She done rocked on away from here!

When Mary starts to rockin'
She sure is a rockin' old soul,
Keeps a gallon of corn liquor under her rockin' chair,
And she sure will get you told.

Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
I really don't know where.
Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
She done rocked on away from here!

Now, rockin' chairs are lots of pleasure,
That's just what Mary needs,
She got a hump in her back from rockin',
But it sure didn't come from feed.

Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
I really don't know where.
Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
She done rocked on away from here!

Did you hear the scandal
'Bout Father Jackson and Deacon MacNair?
They got thirty days for fightin'
About what was under Mary's chair.

Now, Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
I really don't know where.
Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
She done rocked on away from here!

Mary got one glass eye,
And one of her legs is wood,
But what Mary got under her rockin' chair,
They say it sure is good!

Now, Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
I really don't know where.
Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
She done rocked on away from here!

Mary's last request was corn liquor
And a jazz-ball band,
Mary Rockin' Chair's got her tombstone
So she can rock to the Promised Land.

Now, Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
I really don't know where.
Rockin' Chair Mary's gone,
She done rocked on away from here! [orig] [archive]
posted by dhartung at 11:22 PM on January 10, 2006