My Grandfather recently mentioned an old Blues song he’d heard once, which started with the line: “woke up this mawnin, had to pawn my shoes”. He said he’d never been able to figure out who it was by or what the song was called.
Anyone here recognize it? Ideally, I’d like to know the name of the song, the singer, and the rest of the lyrics. Google has failed me utterly.
RObert Johnson’s “Walkin’ Blues” begins “Woke up this morning, felt around for my shoes…” I wonder if your grandfather simply misheard the line.
Also, Robert Johnson’s “Walking Blues” was very similar to Son House’s songs “Walking Blues” and “Death Letter Blues”, both of which contain the line.
Beat me to it.
Here are some lyrics. WALKIN BLUES
Ooh! Ooh!
Q: What did it say on the old blues singer’s grave?
A: Didn’t wake up this morning…
Okay, when I first heard that, I thought it was funny.
'Cause so many blues songs start off “Woke up this morning…”
Maybe he was combining the lyrics (I do that myself sometimes) of Walking Blues and Joshua White’s Prodigal Son:
“Had to pawn my shoes and clothes, sleep out in the park every night”
The song you are looking for is called “Nothin’ But The Blues” by Gene Gifford, lyrics by Wingy Manone, featuring Bunny Berigan (trumpet) - from the 1930’s.
You can find it on the following album: Bunny Berigan: Pied Piper
You can find more info and a downloadable .mp3 here:
Virtual Victrola: Gene Gifford and His Orchestra Featuring Bunny Berigan
Nothin’ But The Blues - Gifford/Manone
I woke up this mornin’
I had to pawn my shoes
I woke up this mornin’
I had to pawn my shoes
You know it was
Nothin’ but those same old blues
Good things come to those who wait…5 years, apparently. 
ps. My uncle used to play with Bunny Berigan.
I woke up this afternoon
Both cars were gone
Woke up this afternoon (Lawd)
Both cars were gone
I felt so low down deep inside
I threw my drink across the lawn
Thanks for posting, Bunny!
I just hope tim314 has this thread on subscribe or something so he finds his answer!
ETA: I sent tim314 a PM letting him know he had an answer (after 5 years lol).
Actually…before I posted, I checked Tim’s membership…and he had visited the site as of yesterday morning. So, I felt the reply and reactivation of the old thread was warranted. In addition, I PM’d him after I posted…but thanks for the double PM. 
I’m sure he will find it.
Wow. Answered five years later! I really hope his grandfather is still alive.
ETA: nice tune, too.
While I have you all here…
My often asked question: what is the name of the blues song that contains the line:
“I’ve got some real bad habits, Baby, but the one I’m going to lose is you.”?
Wow - you’ve been looking for that one since at least '04. Stinkin’ satellite dish torture!
I got the dish alignment blues baby
I heard a song and then it went away
I got the dish alignment blues baby
I heard a song and then it went away
:smack: 
:smack: :smack:
Hehe.
Could it have been Colin James? The lyrics are slightly different than you remember, however.
The album “Bad Habits” by Colin James was from 1995.
See Track 7 - click the link above to hear it/MySpace
Got a few bad habits baby
Yeah but baby you’re the one I need to stay
Got a few bad habits baby
Yeah but baby you’re the one I need to stay
I got to cut you loose now baby
Before you cause my little heart to break
Cut down on my smoking babe
And my drinking baby I can cut down on it too
Cut down on my smoking babe yeah
And my drinking baby I can cut down on it too
Don’t you know it ain’t so easy baby
I’m trying to cut down on loving you
[Solo]
Hope that’s it. 
That’s it!
Thanks, BunnyBerigan.
I’m off to Ebay
I love the 'Dope!
carnivorousplant: The ironic thing about your request is that the song you were seeking comes from an album that includes a rendition of “Walkin’ Blues” referenced earlier in the thread. :eek: Freakish serendipity at work, no doubt.
[Rod Serling]*For years searching the “Straight Dope Message Board” for the title of an elusive Blues title misheard while aligning a satellite dish. Little does he know that when he finds it, he will enter…the Twilight Zone. * [/Rod Serling]
I nawt seez any vampierz in heer! :eek:
Okay, I am truly in the Twilight Zone.
Sometimes you just have to test the Outer Limits. But…where is tim?
Well done and welcome BunnyBerigan, hope ya stick around.