Harmonica Blues Harmonica Amps
Harmonica Links Harmonica Pages
| Other web Sites Harmonica Blues Harmonica Amps Harmonica Links Harmonica Pages |
|
by
Memphis Minnie
recording of 19
from
Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1930-1931) (Document DOCD-5029)
&
With Kansas Joe (Blues Classics 13)
&
Hot Stuff (1930-1941) (Collector's Edition 1)
& Blues Classics 13 - Memphis Minnie Vol. 2: Early Recordings with "Kansas" Joe McCoy (),
I got a bumble bee
, don't sting nobody but me
I got a bumble bee, don't sting nobody but me
And I tell the world, he got all the stinger
I need
And he makes better honey, any bumble bee I ever seen
And he makes better honey, any bumble bee I ever seen
And when he makes it, oh, how he makes me scream
He gets to flying and buzzing, stinging everybody he meets
He gets to flying and buzzing, stinging everybody he meets
Lord, I wonder why my bumble bee want to mistreat me
Hmmmm, where my bumble bee gone?
Hmmmm, wonder where's my bumble bee gone?
I been looking for him, my bumble bee, so long, so long
My bumble bee got ways, just like a natural man
My bumble bee got ways, just like a natural man
He's stinging somebody, everywhere he lands
__________
Note: Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe made their first record in the Columbia Studio in New York on Tuesday, June 18, 1929. One of the songs they recorded was this soon-to-be-famous Bumble Bee. Eight months later, on February 20 and 21, 1930, Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe recorded 12 sides for Vocalion. Although the Columbia version of Bumble Bee was the first version recorded, Columbia did not issue it until after Vocalion had already issued their versions of Bumble Bee, Bumble Bee No. 2 and New Bumble Bee. Memphis Minnie recorded for Vocalion until the label was phased out in 1940;
Note 1: bumble bee, an insect is is often seen, as in this case, as an image of a male lover in blues lyrics. The insect can also represent unwanted brothers and sisters;
Note 2: stinger, a metaphor for the male sexual organ. Stinging therefore meaning having sex.
