Leadbelly’s tale of racism in Washington. Not much has changed.
Today’s Music to keep me SssaAAANNNneeeE in Isolation – Leadbelly
Leadbelly, Huddie Ledbetter, was one of the greatest Folk-Blues singers ever. His music was the basis of so much – including Skiffle. Where would we be without him?
Music to keep me SanE in Isolation – Leadbelly
Leadbelly, Lead Belly or Huddie Ledbetter, whatever you want to call him, was a murderer and one of the most important singers of his day. A controversial figure and giant of a man.
He wrote many songs of great importance. He set off the whole skiffle scene with his Rock Island Line – covered by Lonnie Donnegan.
Leadbelly was a brave man. He was one of the few black singers who dared to record songs about the racism inherent in society. His Bourgeois Blues is such an important statement.
He wrote so many other important tracks – Midnight Special, Goodnight Irene, Boll Weevil, Black Girl and Pick a Bale of Cotton – all covered numerous times.
Roy Harper said that Leadbelly was the basis of the whole Folk Music Scene.
Today I’m going to play Leadbelly – a master of the 12-String guitar – and here some authentic music that means something!
I discovered this rare radio show with two of my heroes!
Favourite Blues Tracks – Bourgeois Blues – Leadbelly
It was very rare for a Black singer to sing anything political or socially sensitive back in the thirties, forties or fifties. This was the time of segregation and white suppression. You could get yourself beaten or lynched for speaking out.
Leadbelly was one of the few who dared.
This song tells of the terrible racism that existed back then. See – we have got a lot better! Still a way to go.
Lord, in a bourgeois town
It’s a bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around
Home of the brave, land of the free
I don’t wanna be mistreated by no bourgeoisie
Lord, in a bourgeois town
Uhm, the bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around
We heard the white man say “I don’t want no niggers up there”
Lord, in a bourgeois town
Uhm, bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around
Well, them white folks in Washington they know how
To call a colored man a nigger just to see him bow
Lord, it’s a bourgeois town
Uhm, the bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around
I tell all the colored folks to listen to me
Don’t try to find you no home in Washington, DC
‘Cause it’s a bourgeois town
Uhm, the bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around
Leadbelly – Bourgeois Blues – First hand record of Racism in operation. Protest on Civil Rights.
Leadbelly was a giant of a Folk Singer/Blues Singer. It was rare for black guys to speak out against the racism they experienced on a daily basis. This was because of the great retribution that would come down on their heads. They could find themselves lynched.
Leadbelly was a brave man
This song highlights the terrible racism that existed even in the Northern American cities.
The Civil Rights struggle is not yet over. Until we have eradicated all prejudice we should be vigilant and speak out.
Bourgeois Blues
Me and my wife went all over town
And everywhere we went people turned us down
Lord, in a bourgeois town
It’s a bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around
Well, me and my wife we were standing upstairs
We heard the white man say’n I don’t want no niggers up there
Lord, in a bourgeois town
Uhm, bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around
Home of the brave, land of the free
I don’t wanna be mistreated by no bourgeoisie
Lord, in a bourgeois town
Uhm, the bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around
Well, them white folks in Washington they know how
To call a colored man a nigger just to see him bow
Lord, it’s a bourgeois town
Uhm, the bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around
I tell all the colored folks to listen to me
Don’t try to find you no home in Washington, DC
‘Cause it’s a bourgeois town
Uhm, the bourgeois town
I got the bourgeois blues
Gonna spread the news all around