Leadbelly-The Bourgeois Blues

The Bourgeois Blues
June, 1936

[@edharbas4828]

Everyone suffers from the bourgeois blues. Vale, Leadbelly.

[@MrYossarianuk]

Rock and roll is being invented as the track progresses

[@inoshikachokonoyarobakayar2493]

👈 This here white folk ❤'s Led Belly. He can go wherever the hell he wants. R.I.P. Led Belly, and thank you for bearing witness with you beautiful voice so that we never let racism stay in the dark.

[@madmerdhyntheblack911]

Leadbelly

[@2003ranp]

Lead Belly is the way he wrote his name with a space but know by publishers as Leadbelly

[@tonyharrison962]

A classic. Meaning it's just as relevant today as when it was recorded.

[@chrisl6238]

That's such an insult to every man woman and child who faced real discrimination and racism. It is most certainly NOT relevant today in the way it was written. If this is an R rated movie, today would be the equivalent of a G rated movie. People have not a single clue what the people of this era went through. Get educated.

[@foto2548]

@@chrisl6238 its a black man singing about THE black issues they went through and continue, TO THIS DAY to go through! Why and how is this NOT a relevant?! You mention getting educated. Ironic!

[@moose7012]

@@chrisl6238 What an idiotic comment. Because racism was more extreme in the past, then it no longer exists? Thats such an insult to every man woman and child who still face real discrimination and racism

[@chrisl6238]

@@moose7012 Where did I say racism doesn't exist? It most certainly does in the hearts of individuals, but it is not embedded in law as it was during Jim Crow and prior. And if you think racism is institutional in 2022, I'd say LOL and gtfoh.

[@chrisl6238]

@@foto2548 So you want to make the claim that black people living in the U.S.A. in the year 2022 face an equal amount of racism as blacks in the 30s, 40s, 50s, and prior? Is that your claim? Or would you even venture to say that our laws in the year 2022 are on par with the Jim Crow/segregated laws of past decades? You really want to look Lead Belly in the face and say, "Yeah, me being a black man in 2022, I understand your pain"? Yeah, how about we step back and realize they had it harder than any of us could possibly imagine and respect the past? Sounds good to me. Check your damn privilege.

[@ernesthicks7397]

After 400 years of being hunted...my soul weeps for the instinct of fear burned into. Our darker skin brothers.... Mankind is continuously making life miserable because of greed..... The song about. If white alright, brown stick around, black! Jump back jump back....leadbelly is only singing about today..... Just as the Ballad of Tom Jose written before Grapes of Wrath..... Music sets our spirit free and heals.... Best version of this song heard by me also.... Love the Lomax verse.... Best wishes to all.

[@oreally8605]

You sound like a damn fool. A Virtue signaling white liberal. First off slavery wasn't 400 years because we black people were free in the north and the first slave owner in America was black. Second it was from the late 1700's to 1865. Third drop the victimhood- bs. and wake up its people like you who keep the black race right where it is...

[@oreally8605]

You know zero about black history in America.

[@ernesthicks7397]

Perhaps? ​@@oreally8605

[@brandonmorris3913]

😅​@@oreally8605

[@imaddatu6819]

Bourgeois Blues lyrics- (Keep in mind that I worked pretty hard to transcript this since the recording itself is so old, I didn’t perfect it, but it’s not like you’re guaranteed quality content on the KZbin comment section. Also, keep in mind that I tried to make this kid-friendly, while also trying not to whitewash it too much). Oh, it’s a bourgeois man. Whoo, living in a bourgeois town. I got the bourgeois blues, and I’m gonna spread the news. Yes I’m gonna spread it, everywhere I go. I just made a song about bourgeois blues. I and Ms. Monica and Mr. Alan Lomack, his wife and my wife was riding all around Washington DC. And if anyone wants to know about Washington, DC then they come to me, and I can talk about it. We rode all around in the rain. No colored people would let me in because I was with a white man. And that’s a bourgeois place, ‘cause it can’t let in colored people with white people. Me and Martha went around town. I heard a man say you can’t come around, he’s a bourgeois man, whoo, living in a bourgeois town. I got the bourgeois blues, and I’m sure gonna spread the news. We went to a colored place there, and he tell me. He feels that too, everyone can eat some food, but I had some of the white people with me. He would let them in, but he told me just before I left, the white woman did, that when I come back with a white man, I could eat. But when I came back, I found a man, he was the manager. I asked him, he didn’t nod his head, he shook it. And knew that Kif couldn’t just stand there. And the boys and women would work for $90,000. His name was Kif Kilheir (maybe). That’s a bourgeois town, nobody leaves. Me and Martha were standing up there, I heard a white man say I don’t want no negroes up there, he’s a bourgeois man, whoo, living in a bourgeois town. I got the bourgeois blues, and I’m sure gonna spread the news. Now, me and Martha were standing upstairs, we done been there all night. But the man didn’t know we was there. But we was going out and coming to and fro. So we met the man, Martha and I went out and contacted Mr. Lomack. But I heard this white man squabble with Mr. Alan Lomack’s wife and Martha. So, Mr. Alan Lomack gave him a toast and talked to him. And he was standing up there, and said, Martha said to me, “Baby, I think he’s talking about us.” I say, “Yes, I’ll just turn my radio on and listen in.” You know what I heard him say? Me and Martha, were standing up there, I head a white man shout “I don’t want no negroes up there.” He’s a bourgeois man, living in a bourgeois town. I got the bourgeois blues and I’m gonna spread the news. I’m gonna tell all the colored people, I want them to understand, why this ain’t no place for a colored man, ‘cause it’s a bourgeois town. Whoo, it’s a bourgeois town. I got the bourgeois blues and I’m sure gonna spread the news. The white folk didn’t want me, but they know how, to chuck a colored man a nickel, just to see a ni***r bow. Oh, it’s a bourgeois town, whoo, it’s a bourgeois town. I got the bourgeois blues and I’m gonna spread the news all around. Oh yes. Oh, right, ‘cause this is right behind Christmas Day, better known as the 26th of December. Everybody always should remember the bourgeois blues. I got something to tell you, right before I go, I want everybody to know lord it’s a bourgeois town. Whoo, it’s a bourgeois town. I got the bourgeois blues, sure gonna spread the news. I want all the colored people, to listen to me, don’t ever try to get no home in Washington DC, ‘cause it’s a bourgeois town, whoo, it’s a bourgeois town. I got the bourgeois blues and I’m sure gonna spread the news. Oh thank you, thank you, thank you. Who got the bourgeois blues and everything.

[@alexbowman7582]

He actually sang the white folk in Washington they know how to chuck (or chunk) a colored man a nickel just see a %%%%% bow.

[@imaddatu6819]

@@alexbowman7582 thanks

[@luckydave328]

Translate ? It's in English. Nice effort but you got it quite wrong right in the beginning. I didn't bother to read after that. Sorry. "We rode all around in the rain. No colored people wouldn't let me in because I was with a white man." There were slight errors before that but this was a big one. Btw Leadbelly refers to Martha his wife and Miss Monica who seems to be travelling with Alan Lomax (maybe an employee ?) You have substituted Monica every time Leadbelly mentions Martha.

[@lbl9066]

@@luckydave328 then maybe you could give us the correct lyrics

[@luckydave328]

@@lbl9066 It'll take a bit of time as I'd have to play it over quite a few times, probably write it down on paper first and then type it up here. If I get an hour to spare I'll do it ! No promises yet though. Right now, I'm a bit busy with other stuff.

[@magicbrowneagle8308]

Classic Blues old time song.

[@NT-qj1sy]

Love how he gives the Lomax's a shout out.

[@BrendonTilley-se9so]

Amazing music even after all these years!✌👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👣👏👏👏👏

[@GreekFire..]

Very relevant now

[@kaecake9575]

Folk is Punk Punk is Folk

[@A_Pa-Plainjane]

thank you-@TravelerIntoTheBlue, this is a great version, love it as much as it is possible to love the bitter and ugly truth Leadbelly sings about. But he had it right, and as @michael clarke says, the US is bougeois. That means all of 'us', black and white suffer from the illusion that there is any real difference between us two-leggeds, us humans, us children of a greater love than we can imagine. I hope more people listen to this cut and know that Leadbelly had it right, and he was the first of many great black blues men. ... If you are lucky enough to find Robert Crumb's fantastic "HEROES OF BLUES, JAZZ, & COUNTRY", you will begin to open yourself to what a great tradition of music we have in this worn-torn America. And remember, -LOVE THE HURTING THING.

[@glenc5185]

Any idea if there's a transcript of the lyrics?

[@marsharupe8112]

Wow! Amazing track.

[@A_Pa-Plainjane]

@@glenc5185 there must be, or you could try writing and posting them...why not try ?

[@BarKafka]

This may be the best, most joyfully intense, version of this tune I ever heard. Thanks!

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

BarKafka : Yes! Thank You so Much for Sharing...it’s a beautiful thing!

[@JD-xy4ji]

ya welcom cuhz

[@flameoguy]

Lead Belly is the best

[@emersonsmithereens2094]

Well, it is Lead Belly....

[@Kekoñomiro]

Sublime , Potente, intenso, con un ritmo creciente y un final de canción apoteósico ,dejando unos punteos al final de la pista que marcan el camino por donde 20 años despues discurriria el Rock´roll. Leadbelly es uno de esos genuinos pioneros de la musica moderna.

[@stantheraccoondunn4833]

I’m not even African American and this song gives me chills too 💚 Leadbelly always layin down the law and preaching it! Great song 👌❤️✌️ if you put yourself in the song and think about it lol that would be terrifying.!!! Yes my emotions are a bit enhanced atm for I just took some Mushrooms an hour or so ago but like god damn man music is awesome but for me my favorite songs are always intensified tenfold when doing any psychedelic 👽💚 RIP thoo Leadbelly. I’ll give you the mic now my good sir! See y’all in hell ;) heaven would suck honestly haha

[@NuisanceMan]

You've got the bourgeois 'shrooms...

[@oreally8605]

You just took some drugs and now you feel closer to black people. Yeah Hell is what you're living through until you get to the real place. Turn your life around dude.

[@thomasdungl8493]

Very fine old Blues, thank you so much for sharing!

[@TheSaturnBastard]

Godbless LeadBelly.

[@stevengittins2709]

Absolutely fantastic, great stuff

[@karlconnolly3994]

Oh lord it's a bourgeois USA.

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

michael clarke ; Especially Washington, D.C.!

[@karlconnolly3994]

Milton Monnin You kiss your Mother with that mouth you pitiful ignoramus?

[@karlconnolly3994]

Milton Monnin You seem to be the “hater” here Milton. I don’t think anyone could be jealous of such ignorance?

[@nattiedraws]

"The Bourgeois Blues" is a blues song by American folk and blues musician Lead Belly. It was written in June 1937 in response to the discrimination and segregation that Lead Belly faced during a visit to Washington, DC to record for Alan Lomax. It rails against racism, the Jim Crow laws, and the conditions of contemporary African Americans in the southern United States.

[@inoshikachokonoyarobakayar2493]

It sure is Pal.

[@bobaldo2339]

Great version!

[@CharlyDubois-kj9ij]

yeah i like this yeah yeah

[@alanhansmannkurtcobain8811]

Amazing...

[@georgebetz5929]

But we all love them Bourgeois towns!

[@davidjames9457]

Huddy at his best

[@Mr1963corvette]

Great, uncelebrated icons who were leaders in working towards civil rights through their passionate writings and singing the blues about their experiences in life. I have always loved the blues and fully appreciate what these are musical prophets have given us in the shaping of American music. The blues gave us rock and roll. Huddy was the man. Making that 12 string chime and talk.

[@rossharmonics]

I had another version back in the 60s. It was either on a Folkways Record or on one of the 78s I had. I'm going to see if that version is on youtube as well. If I remember correctly, in that version Leadbelly talked less, there was as least one more verse, and the chorus was slightly different - I'm gonna spread the news all around.

[@alexbowman7582]

Strange but whilst watching this I got a sudden strong urge to drink a Guinness. Can’t understand why.

[@jmjones7897]

It gives you strength

[@blackfeatherstill348]

I've run out of red wine.

[@bertus161057]

Great pictures too

[@user-ty1mh9hk7m]

This is the truth

[@davidpahtoon2277]

Sometimes I'm here. Other times im over there.

[@gutterdandy9173]

I also like the shambolic version of Bourgeois Blues by Tav Falco and Panther Burns

[@JanetDaley-solo]

I've heard better versions of Ledbelly doing this--but the free-wheelin' political banter is worth it's weight in gold.

[@BrendonTilley-se9so]

Love ya man!😲

[@lotyde]

this the first version i heard

[@enyje1511]

Current song ❤️

[@stevemeloccaro891]

there is NO music compared to the original blues masters

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

Leadbelly was Black to the Bricks! Make it Plain, Brother! What a Gift! And to think, in 2018 { in the song } ...and Now you got Trump in town! ( Refrain) You got a lot of White Folks So Afraid They’re Trumpin’ dumb an’ Rallyin’ Around, What they fear is being poor so they say, Them Immigrants, we Gonna’ Tear ‘Em Down! {Not the best, but : Off the cuff ~ rewriting lyrics is Cathartic and a Project I Recommend! Also because it’s not exactly bad for your : Brain! Dylan lyrics are a fun place to start! }

[@chester777ful]

I would loe to know how he tuned that 12 string guitar it sounds great

[@leohorishny9561]

Some ideas here. I was just looking for what sort of guitar he played, because I thought it's such a classic, and distinctive looking instrument. I came across this page: www.victorrecords.com/hismastersvoice/2020/5/27/the-lead-belly-guitar

[@chester777ful]

@@leohorishny9561 Thanks very much for this page

[@oldmaterizz4516]

He tunes it down 5 step. Making for example a A chord an E

[@chester777ful]

@@oldmaterizz4516 Thanks

[@PIPEHEAD]

At 4 mins 54 his pal says " Wicked ! " - that's in 1936 .................

[@JimmyMac717]

Well, DC has changed completely.

[@josephpastor9321]

Except today people pronounce it " Boogee"

[@gregvonteig7583]

Which recording is this?

[@CharlyDubois-kj9ij]

😁

[@billbonu1639]

Who the hell wants to watch a movie in 47 pieces

[@vonnedavienwilson8150]

haters would call this song too ´woke´ for accurately giving name to the dynamics of racial capitalism

[@michaelvance1118]

There's a reason that today's " music" is so programmatic,manufactured, over pasteurized and sanitized ,repackaged.. because FEW PAID ATTENTION TO A DAMN WORD OF WHAT THE ARTISTS WERE GETTING ACROSS ! EVER READ SONG LYRICS WITHOUT THE MUSIC PLAYING!?

[@alexbowman7582]

What actually killed Ledbetter? Was it from syphilis caught in his youth?

[@beyondalpha1072]

WE WUZ KANGZ

[@HandyDandy6]

Haters are mad cause the left has all the best music

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

@@HandyDandy6 "The left"? All of these artists were left-wing, were they? Mind you, I don't agree with OP's comment, either.

[@madmerdhyntheblack911]

Don't mute DC. Or whitewash it.