“Roaming Rambler Blues” – Lonnie Johnson (1927)

Classic early blues by guitarist Lonnie Johnson.

This record had so many lam cracks that it causes a bit of a swish but still quite an enjoyable listen.

Recorded August 1927 in New York. Released as Okeh 8497.

Lyrics
“I’m a roamin’ rambler – I ramble and roam everywhere.
I’m a roamin’ rambler – I roam and ramble everywhere.
I’ve rode on every railroad without a nickel fare.

My mammy named me Rambler, I’ll tell you why I was told
My mammy named me Rambler, I’ll tell you why I was told
Because I started to ramblin’ when I was only two years old.

I got a gal in Texas. I got gals in Tennessee.
I’ve got gals in Texas. I’ve got gals in Tennessee.
There’s a hundred those fastened, waitin’ for this rambler’s key.

I never had a woman I couldn’t get her back again.
I never had a woman I couldn’t get her back again.
Cause they want a ramblin’ man – and not no monkey men.

The judges all knows me – knows me as a ramblin’ man.
The judges all knows me – knows me as a ramblin’ man.
When they put me in jail, I gets out on a ‘stallments plan.”