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Song: Turpentine Blues. Words by W.C. "Dub" Tomlinson, performed by Candler Tomlinson, 2003 [Audio File]

 Digital Work
Collection number: PRJ1014-068c

Dates

  • 2003

Summary

Turpentine Blues. Words by W.C. "Dub" Tomlinson, performed by Candler Tomlinson, 2003. This song was written by Dub Tomlinson especially for the Traditions of Turpentining project. Tomlinson (born 1931) typifies the old-time Wiregrass lifestyle of farmer, rancher, and turpentiner during the period of the open range in South Georgia. A life-long resident of Echols County--with the exception of a stint in military service-- Tomlinson has worked timber all his life, first in turpentine, then a heavy equipment operator and harvesting supervisor. Many of his personal experience narratives are recounted in his self-published memoir A Lad in the Piney Woods (2002). Throughout his career, he performed with his band The Suwanee Troubadours, a traditional country group for which he was lead vocalist, and lead and rhythm guitar player. He also wrote numerous songs for the group, but never anything about his life experience with turpentine.

Lyrics

Woe is me, Woe is me Going From Tree To Tree Troubled Mind, in the hot sunshine Working this turpentine

Hole in my pockets Holes in my shoes Got them working this turpentine blues

Boss Man, Boss Man Have a Good Heart Don’t shorten my pay Cause my skin is dark Boss Man, Boss Man Get my pay right Gonna go juckeing This Saturday night

Ain’t Got no house Just a little ole shack

But that’s how it is when your face is black Got a little woman waitin in the shack Come sun down she’s gonna wash my back

Eat blackeyed peas and combread too

Done run outa bacon

Done run outa stew

Woe is me, it’ll have to do

Got them workin this turpentine blues

Woe is me

Got trouble and strife

Been workin this turpentine all my life

Ain’t got no money

Ain’t nowhere to go

Workin this turpentines all I know

Set on a log sharpen my hack

Pain in my neck pain in my back

Boss man, Boss man

I ain’t too bright

Cause I can’t read and I can’t write

Holes in my pockets

Holes in my shoes

Got them workin this turpentine blues

Repository Details

Part of the Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Valdosta State University Archives, Odum Library
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta GA 30601 United States
7063728116
229-259-5055 (Fax)