I’ve been listening to this song a bunch lately. You can’t really describe me as a huge Jim Jackson fan, but this particular song is something special. The guitar accompaniment sounds more like a banjo technique than a guitar style, so I was inspired to try it out on the banjo. It’s a cool sound… first I tried it on a fretted, steel string banjo - that was ok… then I came into possession of a circa 1870 fretless banjo - simple oak rim, gut strings (Thanks, Peter for tracking it down!). What a dream! It couldn’t ever be described as a loud banjo, but what a perfect tone… volume is over-rated…
jim-jackson-old-dog-blue.mp3Anyway, here are the lyrics as I hear them:
Old Dog Blue - Jim Jackson
I’m goin’ back to where I’m come
I’m goin’ back to where I’m come
I’m goin’ back to Giles County
My wife died and left me a bounty
Way them pretty girls ganged around
That’s the reason why I’m goin’ to Giles County
I had an old dog whose name was Blue
You know that Blue was mighty true
You know Blue was a good old dog
Blue treed a ‘possum in a hollow log
You know from that he’s a good old dog
Blue treed a ‘possum out on a limb
Blue looked at me and I looked at him
Grabbed that ‘possum and put him in a sack
“Do fer me, Blue, ’til I get back.”
“Here, Ring! Yeah, Ring Here!
Here Ring! Hey, Ring here!”
Who’s been here since I been gone
Little bitty girl with the red dress on
Who’s been here since I been gone
Little bitty girl with the red dress on
Old Blue’s feet was big and round
Old Blue’s feets was big and round
Never ‘lowed a ‘possum to tech the ground
Me and Blue went out on a hunt
Blue treed a ‘possum in a hollow stump
You know that Blue was a good old dog
Blue treed a ‘possum in a hollow log
You know from that he’s a good old dog
Old Blue died and I dug his grave
I dug his grave with a silver spade
I let him down with a golden chain
And every link I called his name
Go on Blue you good dog you
Go on Blue you good dog you
Blue laid down and died like a man
Blue laid down and died like a man
Now he’s treein’ ‘possums in the promised land
I’m goin’ to tell you this jes’ to let you know
Old Blue’s gone where the good dogs go
When I hear old Blue bark
When I hear old Blue bark
Blue’s treed a ‘possum in Noah’s ark
Blue’s treed a ‘possum in Noah’s ark
11 Comments »
03.30.07 @ 12:44 pm
That songs gets me every time!
03.30.07 @ 4:48 pm
Me too, brother. Kim and I fool around with this now & then on banjo & fiddle. Email me if you’re interested.
08.25.07 @ 7:59 am
Just rediscovered Old Blue after 30 years. One of the great blues tunes of all time with the artist’s philosophy emtombed in lyrics such as “lowered him down on a golden chain” and “Blue laid down inside like a man.” Thanks for hosting this FABULOUS website which I’ll refer to on my blog.
10.14.07 @ 4:49 am
Thanks for putting this out here. It’s been many years since I have heard this song (recorded by someone else - a little differently - more of a sad version). but love the song. Wish I could find out who recorded the song I remember though….thanks again.
10.16.07 @ 6:51 am
Hi Mitch - you might want to take a look at Jane Keefer’s Folk Music Index, specifically this page, which lists many artists who have recorded a song by the title of “Old Blue,” which is probably the same song or a variant of Jim Jackson’s “Old Dog Blue.”
02.24.08 @ 7:23 am
My honorary granddaughter has just be cast in the play “Fences” to be performed here in San Francisco, CA at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. She will be playing the part of Raynell and will be singing Old Blue. I am just doing research and looking for the musical arrangement for the piano and vocal accompaniment for Old Blue. If any has a copy please send to my e-mail or better yet a CD.
10.13.08 @ 3:41 pm
[…] spade and being laid down with a golden chain (which I suspect must be an old phrase–in this song […]
11.04.08 @ 8:07 am
My daughters and I used to sing this song when they were little (grown with kids now). I accompanied on guitar. This song felt so good to us; we always loved our dogs and still do. My youngest daughter has to put her dog down soon and asked me to find this song which she remembered. Thanks.
11.04.08 @ 9:25 am
I’m sorry to hear about your daughter’s dog, Rochelle. Having outlived a few dogs in my time, I can understand how the decision affects her, and I hope this song might bring her some comfort - it’s what music is for.
Kind regards,
frankie
11.28.08 @ 11:05 am
this song is good
03.20.09 @ 10:10 pm
David Johansen and the Harry Smiths do an excellent cover of this song.
I downloaded it off i-tunes, and it’s very moving for anyone interested in a new take on it. Very sparse arrangement and Johansen has a haggard well-traveled voice that fits it perfectly, imo.
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