I have no complaint (other than the racist language) about how Jimmie Rogers and many others interpreted the song. Perhaps the opening lines of Muleskinner Blues were around before either Jimmy Rogers or Tom Dickson sang them, and both borrowed them from other singers. If no story is being told, with many songs you can throw in whatever verse fits or make up a verse on the spot (see different versions of "Old Joe Clark," "Jubilee," "Turkey in the Straw," or "Angelina Baker"). Most twelve-bar blue songs contain "floating verses," which move around from song to song, so it's not surprising that similar verses appear in "Sittin' on Top of The World" and "In The Pines." This practice is also true of many traditional, non-blues, dance songs. Being of British/European extraction, I'd drop "Shine" if I were to sing either Muleskinner or Labor Blues. According to the lyrics printed on Google, he was saying "Good morning foreman, good morning, boss," though it sounds to me like "good morning, boy" which isn't much better than the original. Interestingly, Bill Monroe doesn't use shine in "New Muleskinner Blues" (Post #10). Almost every white person, I've heard do "Muleskinner" sings "shine," though I suspect that not every singer knew the meaning (for years, I thought it the phrase was "good morning, son"). However, when Tom Dickson sings it, he's illustrating from a Black man's viewpoint how the white boss, "captain," talks to the Black labourer. Seems to borrow some lyrics from Sitting On Top Of The World or vice versa, not sure.both from the same time period."Shine" is definitely offensive, and I'm sure it was offensive way back when. Historically interesting, today would offend some people. Seems to borrow some lyrics from Sitting On Top Of The World or vice versa, not sure.both from the same time period. Well, your shoes unfastened and your skirt don't fit you rightHistorically interesting, today would offend some people. Well, your shoes unfastened and your skirt don't fit you right Hey, it's tell me, woman, where did you stay last night Hey, tell me, woman, where did you stay last night? You gon' sit and sob when you wants me to be your friend." It's, "Go on, pretty mama, need a friend again It's, "Go on, pretty mama, gonna need a friend again." She will get your money, then pull game at you Well, there 'tain't no tellin', a Mississippi gal'll do Now, there 'tain't no tellin' what a Mississippi gal'll do Just feed her little pork chops, soothes her appetite If you good men want to keep her out of town at night Now I've got to take Christmas in my overhalls Worked me all this summer, started all this fall Worked me all this summer and you started on this fall I don't mind workin', Captain, from sun to sunīut I wants my money, Captain, when payday comes "'Tain't nothin' the matter, Captain, but I just ain't gwine." It's, "Good morning, Captain", said, "Good morning, Shine" It's, "Good morning, Captain", it says, "Good morning, Shine" Back before Jimmy Rogers and George Vaughan wrote "Blue Yodel #8" (aka "Muleskinner Blues"), there was this song by the blues singer Tom Dickson, in which the Black muleskinner complains about his treatment by the boss:
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