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by
Hans Theessink
recording of 1998
from Lifeline (Blue Groove BG-9020),
Sounds from the southland from bygone years
Sweetest music that ever touched my ears
When I heard sleepy John Estes sing
First time I heard yank’s mandolin
Played with Hammie Nixon and Sleepy John
Kept me glued to the gramophone
Such a funky sound, it was the real thing
And I used to love yank’s mandolin
I met yank Rachell some years ago
Some place up north, we shared the show
I felt so proud to be on the bandstand
Play the blues with the mandolin man
Such a gentle man with a big old smile
Rocked the joint, the crowd went wild
Played the old time blues from way back when
Yank was known as the mandolin man
Early last April took up and died
Angels lifted him up to the sky
I bet he’s playing in the heavenly band
Angels boppin’ to the blues of the mandolin man
Yank Rachell’s gone to another shore
He’ll never play down here no more
Ain’t nobody that ever walked the land
Played the blues like the mandolin ma
