1. |
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Somebodyʼs Downstairs Playinʼ The Blues
Well it was late last evening, as I was getting ready for bed
(Way down in the midnight hour)
I thought I heard someone downstairs singinʼ
Baby Iʼm Goinʼ Upside Your Head
(If you donʼt straighten up baby Iʼm goinʼ upside your head)
But now itʼs Little Boy Blue, I Pity the Fool
Somebodyʼs downstairs playing the Blues
(Yeah theyʼre about two steps from the Blues)
Well now I just got home from work, thought Iʼd have myself a beer
(One bourbon, one scotch, one beer)
I come on into the kitchen, and once again I began to hear
(Like somebodyʼs in the kitchen with Elmore James)
It sounds like that oʼl Dust My Broom
Somebodyʼs downstairs playing the Blues (Every day, got the Blues)
Well now I woke up this morning, just before the break of day.
And I put on the coffee pot (is that black enough for ya?)
I know it wasnʼt the kettle that was singing....Sonny Boy!
There ainʼt but One Way Out
So now Iʼm sitting here thinking, and Iʼm drinking booze
With John Lee Hookerʼs - Iʼm In The Mood
I'm wonderinʼ what in the world Iʼm gonna do
Somebodyʼs downstairs playing the Blues
Yeah man, theyʼre Goinʼ Down Slow!
Well I guess he ainʼt got nothinʼ more to lose
Somebodyʼs downstairs playing the Blues.
Them Worried Life Blues, them Insane Crazy Blues
(Goodnight Charlotte, wherever you are....)
Jeff Betz ©
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2. |
Sex Worker Blues
03:28
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Sex Worker Blues
Well that dirty sex worker
Have done taken my money and gone
I was tired of being so all alone
I just wanted to get me a little som’
Well that little o’l somethin’
She must-a stood about five foot nine
She had great big brown eyes
And a whoppin’ o’l caboose ‘round behind
Well I asked her what is a woman
That look like you doin’ here
She said if you’re lookin’ for some girlfriend action
Set your donation right down over here
Now I want to tell you people
That she sure did treat me swell
I mean she had a body by Fisher
But her mind was made by Matel
Well now it didn’t take too long
Before it was over and done
But now I’m such a happy single man
And that’s why I composed this song
Well that dirty sex worker
She’s got me coming around for more
Well she looks like a millionaire
She ain’t no lowdown dirty whore
Well that dirty sex worker
She gonna be he death of me
She done taken all my money
Lord, why can’t I just leave her be
Jeff Betz ©
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3. |
My O'l Lovin' Ways
03:28
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My O’l Lovin’ Ways
I used to be a lover, baby in my younger days
I said hey hey, in my younger days
Now I’m old and feeble but I still got my o’l lovin’ ways
I said hey hey, in my younger days
I said hey hey, in my younger days
Now I’m old and feeble but I still got my o’l lovin’ ways
I tell you people, I ain’t got a friend
I said hey, hey, I aint’ got a friend
But I must keep on keepin’ on, right on to that o’l bitter end
I said hey, hey, I aint’ got a friend
I said hey, hey, I aint’ got a friend
But I must keep on keepin’ on, right on to that o’l bitter end
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4. |
New Salty Dog Blues
03:19
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New Salty Dog Blues
If you don’t shake you won’t get no cake
Your salty dog, your salty dog, Oh baby your salty dog
You’re gonna keep on hanging around, your salty dog
Gonna keep on hanging and takin’ to town, your salty dog
Your salty dog, your salty dog, Oh baby your salty dog
Come in here and shut that door, your salty dog
He got shot with a .44, your salty dog
I got a brand new pistol and a box of balls, your salty dog
Gonna shoot that woman just to see her fall
Your salty dog, your salty dog, Oh baby your salty dog
Goin’ to town, hurry back, your salty dog
Gonna show your people how to ball the jack, your salty dog
She’s got good jelly, she sells it high, your salty dog
I know here’s something that a man can buy, your salty dog
Your salty dog, your salty dog, Oh baby your salty dog
Twenty-five cents is her regular price, your salty dog
I said fifty-cents you can buy her twice, your salty dog
She pulls her dress up above her knees your salty dog
She shakes her shimmy to who she please, your salty dog
Your salty dog, your salty dog, Oh baby your salty dog
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5. |
Gettin' Old Blues
04:11
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Gettinʼ Old Blues
Well now I done got old, and I must now face the facts
I said now I done got old, and I must now face the facts
I ainʼt going nowhere, and I sure ainʼt never coming back
Well now Iʼm all alone, and I feel time is running out
Yes now Iʼm all alone, and I feel time is running out
Iʼve been hanging around here too long, and I still donʼt know what itʼs all about
But I must keep on keeping one, that is until my dying day
I said I must keep on keeping on, that is until my dying day
Because one day Iʼm gonna be gone, and I wonʼt have no more to say
Well now I woke up this morning feeling mighty bad
Iʼve been thinking about all he good times, yes that I once have had
You know the days turn to months and the months turn into years
But when my time comes, I wonʼt have no more to fear
Because I done got old, how much longer can this last
Yes it seems like all I do...is just sitinʼ around dreaming of the past.
Jeff Betz ©
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6. |
Yamhill Pub Blues
04:38
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Yamhill Pub Blues
This is a song all about the Yamhill Pub, in the City of Portland, Oregon
Well I come on into Portland town, riding on that Greyhound bus
I sez to a man standing there, “Brother, where can I find a pub?”
He said “I know just the place, you look like you’ll fit right in”
I said “Hey Jack take it easy, I ain’t looking for no Holiday Inn”
That’s when he took me to a place, that I never could have dreamed of. It was way down Southwest Yamhill, what they call the Yamhill Pub
Well the minute I stepped on in, I said this is the place for me
It wasn’t that I was so thirsty, I just really just had to pee
I walked on into the Mens room, just to relieve myself
That’s when I got a strange-strange feeling, like I was about to wretch
So I wrapped up my dirty business, while I tried to hold my breath
Then I sat down and composed this song, all abut the Yamhill Pub
Well I drank up all my money, right down to my last dime
My buddy said “Now don’t you worry, he said, I come here all the time” He looks all around down the bar, seeking out a familiar face
Said “Hey man, can’t you help us? We just want one last little taste”
That’s when I found myself, with a shot and a brand new beer
It must have come down from above, down at the Yamhill Pub
Now I never will forget that day, I come into Portland town
If you ever find yourself there, I know it will be around
All you have to do, is follow that light rail line
You’ll get a whiff of piss and Pine Sol, then you’re bound to have a real good time
So won’t you take my advice, and step on in and sit down
You just might find your one true love, way down at the Yamhill Pub
Jeff Betz ©
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7. |
Tom McCall's Blues
03:10
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Tom McCall's Blues
Well they had a stretch of road called Harbor Drive
All along the waterfront bye and bye
Hey-hey, thatʼs Tom McCallʼs Blues
Well the City Engineerʼs they had a plan
They said to the citizens we have to expand
Hey-hey, thatʼs Tom McCallʼs Blues
So they tore up the road and laid some asphalt
Along some the war and put it all to halt
Hey-hey, thatʼs Tom McCallʼs Blues
Well after the war it was back to work
They laid down concrete all over that dirt
Hey-hey, thatʼs Tom McCallʼs Blues
Well along come Tom in 1966,
the Governor or Oregon, with a thing for the sticks
Of the Cascade Range to the Oregon Coast
And the Willamette River he loved to boast
Well folks around the state went and had their say
To send all that traffic around the other way
Hey-hey, thatʼs Tom McCallʼs Blues
So they tore up the road right down to the dirt
Then they planted some grass and a Douglas Fir
Hey-hey, thatʼs Tom McCallʼs Blues
Well it was 37 acres all along the riverfront
to the Oregon Coast Tom wanted to clean up
He had him a measure called the Bottle Bill
You could say that oʼl boy was environ-mental
Well everybody thought that Tom was mighty smart
Pink cherry blossoms in Waterfront Park
Hey-hey, thatʼs Tom McCallʼs Blues
Thatʼs Tom McCallʼs Blues
Thatʼs Tom McCallʼs Waterfront Park people
If youʼre ever up in Portland go and talk a walk
All along Tom McCallʼs Waterfront Park, hey-hey
Jeff Betz ©
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8. |
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That Ain’t My Kind-a Lovin’
Now when I first met you baby
You really thought that you was somethin’
Because of all the men that you were humpin’
But you got to cut that out now woman
Because that ain’t my kinda lovin’
Well now you’re looking good pretty woman
Your fat ass in them skinny jeans
Has really got my heart a-thumpin’
But you never pay me no attention
Now babe that ain’t my kinda lovin’
Now after I spent up all my money
You acted just like it was nothing
One sloppy drunk and ornery woman
But I’m gonna take it out on you baby
Because that ain’t my kinda lovin’
Well you keep on complaining and acting like your tough
Now babe I’ve just about enough
I’m gonna prove to you I ain’t joking
You’ll always want my kinda lovin’
Jeff Betz ©
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9. |
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Itʼs That Girl From Eastport Plaza
Now ainʼt she sweet, that kind-a gal Iʼd like to meet
Itʼs that girl from Eastport Plaza, that really knocks me off my feet
Now ainʼt she fine, lord I wish that she were mine
Itʼs that girl from Eastport Plaza, thatʼs really messinʼ with my mind
Now there she goes and sheʼs lookinʼ fine
Wear them tight fittinʼ jeans, that works every time
Well now ainʼt she smonkinʼ thatʼs the truth man I ainʼt jokinʼ
Itʼs that girl from Eastport Plaza, thatʼs giving me the foggy notion
Well now ainʼt she sumthinʼ, thatʼs the truth man I aintʼ mumblinʼ
Itʼs that girl from Eastport Plaza, I wanna make my sugar dumplinʼ
Now here she comes and sheʼs headed this way
Why Iʼm so bashful I donʼt know what to say
Now ainʼt she hip, got them bright red ruby lips
Itʼs that girl from Eastport Plaza, that really makes my poor heart flip Now ainʼt she swell, like a buxom Southern Belle
Itʼs that girl from Eastport Plaza, gonna make me end in jail
Sheʼs gonna make me end in jail
You know that girl from Eastport Plaza now
She done got me 30 days in jail
Itʼs that girl from Eastport Plaza, Yeah!
Jeff Betz ©
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10. |
Broken Soldier Blues
03:29
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Broken Soldier Blues
Iʼm a Broken Soldier
Most people donʼt know what that means
They look t me kinda funny when I tell them
So Iʼm going to tell you right now what itʼs all about
Iʼm a Broken Soldier, this is my Blues
I donʼt wear no uniform, and I donʼt carry no gun
I damn sure ainʼt gonna die for my country
I never meant on one no harm
A Broken Solider is a man who doesnʼt fit in this world
He wasnʼt born to belong so he wanders alone
Heʼs just an old coat, a hat and a pair of boots
An oʼl guitar and a song (make mine the Blues)
I belong to no army, and I will fight in no manʼs war
I have no rank, name or serial number
I am the unknown
Jeff Betz ©
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11. |
Wrap It Up Blues
02:10
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Wrap It Up Blues
And that about wraps it up for this evening, ladies and gentlemen
If you've made it this far in the program and youʼre still listening in
The name of the band is Broken Soldier
And weʼre a Blues band from Portland, Oregon.
What that all amounts to is Jeff here on guitar
And this oʼl soldier on the voice box and tambourine.
This here is our own brand of American Roots Music
And itʼs been a pleasure sharing it here with ya here this evening.
Yeah this has been Broken Soldier,
Downstairs Playing The Blues, yʼall.
One more thing before we part.
Broken Soldier takes no responsibility for any triggers
Or personal offenses of any kind which you the listener
May have suffered during this program.
That would include headaches, fatigue, depression,
Drunkenness or just a general feeling of despair and futility.
Itʼs all part of lifeʼs rich pageant and ours to enjoy.
Learn to find true happiness within your sorrow and suffering.
Thatʼs the way of a broken solider.
Jeff Betz ©
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Broken Soldier Portland, Oregon
Broken Soldier is a one-man band. A fictional duo featuring Jeff Betz and his nameless companion known only as The
Soldier.
Together they create works of musical fiction that purport to be Live performances but which are in fact home recordings made in a small studio apartment in Portland, Oregon.
Jeff Betz: Vocals, Guitars and all other instruments and Field Recordings.
... more
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