Jimmie Rodgers – Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)

Jimmie Rodgers – Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas), (originally “Blue Yodel”, often called “Blue Yodel No. 1” or “T For Texas”) is a song by American singer-songwriter Jimmie Rodgers. The recording was produced by Ralph Peer, who had originally recorded with Rodgers during the Bristol Sessions. It was released by the Victor Talking Machine Company on February 3, 1928. Rodgers recorded it during his second session with Victor, on November 30, 1927.

Rodgers composed “Blue Yodel” using his original lines, mixed with lines from other songs. The song features a traditional blues bar form, with his voice accompanied only by his guitar. It was named after the yodeling Rodgers featured during the breaks between stanzas. The song became Rodgers’s best selling disk, a fixture in his live performances, and the first of his series of Blue Yodels. It garnered him national fame, and with Rodgers becoming known as “America’s Blue Yodeler”. Multiple artists recorded their versions of the song, which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and added to the National Recording Registry. “Blue Yodel” influenced artists including Johnny Cash, George Harrison and Ronnie Van Zant.

Jimmie Rodgers – Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)
B-side Away Out On the Mountain
Released February 3, 1928
Recorded November 30, 1927
Studio Trinity Church Studio, Camden, New Jersey
Genre Country blues
Length 3:27
Label Victor 21142
Songwriter(s) Jimmie Rodgers
Producer(s) Ralph Peer

COUNTRYPEDIA

Jimmie Rodgers – Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas) Lyrics

[Verse 1]
T for Texas, T for Tennessee
T for Texas, T for Tennessee
T for Thelma, that gal that made a wreck out of me

[Refrain]
Oh-del-lay-ee oh, lay-ee eh, lay-ee

[Verse 2]
If you don’t want me mama, you sure don’t have to stall, oh Lord
If you don’t want me mama, you sure don’t have to stall
‘Cause I can get more women than a passenger train can haul
[Refrain]
Oh-del-lay-ee oh, lay-ee eh, lay-ee

[Verse 3]
I’m gonna buy me a pistol just as long as I’m tall, Lord Lord
I’m gonna buy me a pistol just as long as I’m tall
I’m gonna shoot poor Thelma just to see her jump and fall

[Refrain]
Oh-del-lay-ee eh, lay-ee oh, lay-ee

[Verse 4]
I’m goin’ where the water drinks like cherry wine, sing ’em boy sing ’em
Lord I’m goin’ where the water drinks like cherry wine
‘Cause this Georgia water tastes like turpentine

[Refrain]
Oh-del-lay-ee eh, lay-ee oh, lay-ee

[Verse 5]
I’m gonna buy me a shotgun with a great long shiny barrel
Gonna buy me a shotgun with a great long shiny barrel
I’m gonna shoot that rounder that stole away my gal

[Refrain]
Oh-del-lay-ee eh, lay-ee oh, lay-ee
[Verse 6]
Rather drink muddy water sleep in a holler log
Rather drink muddy water sleep in a holler log
Than to be in Atlanta treated like a dirty dog

[Refrain]
Oh-del-lay-ee eh, lay-ee oh, lay-ee

GENIUS