zondag 3 november 2013

Only a Tramp (1926) / The Tramp on the Street (1939)


On June 16, 1877 the Sacramento Daily Union contained the poem called "Only a Tramp".




The lyrics of the first verse of the poem were clearly used to compose the "Only a Tramp" song.

In 1880 "Only A Tramp" (composed by Dr. Addison D. Crabtre), was published by White, Smith and Co. of Boston.


The complete sheet-music is here:




In 1926 the first version of "Only a Tramp" was recorded.
Rufus K. Stanley, v; acc. own bj.
Recorded c. March 1926 in Chicago, IL
Released on Paramount 33175

Listen here:




(c) Art Frazier 1927 (as "Because He Was Only A Tramp")
This version has some adapted lyrics.
Art Frazier, v; own tbj
acc. Wyzee Hamilton, f; Frank Nichols, f; Luther Patrick, g.
Recorded in Birmingham, AL c. August 15, 1927
Released on Herwin 75571


Listen here:




(c) Ted Chestnut 1928 (as "Only a Tramp")   This is a different song
Acc. by Doc Roberts (fiddle) and Asa Martin (guitar)
Recorded August 23, 1928 Gennett Recording Studio, Starr Piano Company Building, Whitewater Gorge Park, Richmond, IN
Released on Gennett 6673 ,
Also released on Champion 15587 (as by Cal Turner) and Conqueror 7262 (as by Eli Jenkins)

Listen here:





(c) Uncle Pete & Louise 1933  (as "Only a Tramp")
Elmore “Pete” Raines, Louise Collins, v duet;
acc. Louise Collins, f; Elmore “Pete” Raines, g.
Recorded in New York, NY Wednesday, June 14, 1933
Released on the B-side of Conqueror 8342



Listen here:




(c) Grady and Hazel Cole 1939 (as "The Tramp on the Street")
Recorded August 24, 1939
Grady and Hazel Cole, vocal duet; accompanied by Elmer Hicks, ac
Released on Bluebird B 8262

Grady and Hazel Cole were responsible for adapting the lyrics, creating a Gospel-themed hymn.
The adapted lyrics went like this:
Only a tramp was Lazarus that day
He who lay down by the rich man’s gate
And he begged for the crumbs from the rich man to eat
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street 
He was some mother’s darling, he was some mother’s son
Once he was fair, once he was young
Some mother rocked him, little darling, to sleep
But they left him to die like a tramp on the street
If Jesus should come, knock at your door
Would you let him come in, take from your store
Would you turn him away, with nothing to eat
They left him to die like a tramp on the street
He was Mary’s own darling, God’s chosen son
Once he was fair, once he was young
And Mary, she rocked him, little darling to sleep
And she left him to die like a tramp on the street
Other versions have a couple of different/additional verses:
Jesus who died on Calvary’s tree
Shed his life’s blood for you and me
They pierced his side, his hands, and his feet
Then they left him to die like a tramp on the street
If Jesus should come and knock o your door
For a place to lie down or bread from your store
Would you welcome him in or turn him away
For God would reward you on the great Judgment Day


All the versions below follow the Grady & Hazel Cole adaptation.



(c) The Cumberland Mountain Folks (vocal Molly O'Day) 1948  (as "The Tramp on the Street")
Recorded December 14, 1946 CBS Studio, Radio Station WBBM, The Wrigley Building, 410 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Molly O’Day (Molly O’Day [vcl/gt/banjo], Lynn Davis [vcl/gt], George “Speedy” Krise [dobro], Mac Wiseman [bass], Cecil “Skeets” Williamson [fiddle]. Producer: Art Satherley)
Released on Columbia 37559 and 20187


Even though she never had a record on the Billboard charts Molly O'Day is regarded as one of the most important female performers in country music history, and "The Tramp on the Street" was her classic.
It was Hank Williams who had introduced her to "The Tramp on the Street" when she saw him sing it in Montgomery in 1942, and it would be the leadoff song at het debut recording session and her first release






Listen here:




(c) Hank Williams 1949 (as "A Tramp on the Street")

Recorded October 1949 [Health & Happiness Show # 2] Castle Studio at The Tulane Hotel, 206 8th Ave. North, Nashville 3, TN
Hank Williams (Bob McNett [el gt], Don Helms [steel], Hillous Butrum [bass], Jerry Rivers [fiddle])






(c) Wilma Lee Cooper 1948 (as "The Tramp on the Street")
Recorded Summer 1947 WWNC Radio Station, Asheville, NC -
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (Wilma Lee Cooper [vcl /rh gt], Stoney Cooper [vcl/fiddle], Bill Carver [steel/dobro/mandolin], Albert Ray Cole [bass/vcl], Scotty McGinnis [accordion].
Released on Rich-R-Tone 424B


Listen here:


Or to a sample here:




(c) Bill Carlisle 1948 (as "Tramp on the Street")  (C&W HIT)
Bill Carlisle (Bill Carlisle [vcl/rh gt] + unknown musicians.
Recorded November 1947 in Cincinnati, OH 
Matrix K2726
Released on King 697



Listen here:




(c) Maddox Brothers and Rose 1948 (as "Tramp on the Street")
Recorded December 1947 Associated Studio, Pasadena, CA –
Maddox Brothers and Rose (Rose Maddox [vcl-1/hmny vcl-3), Jimmy Winkle [ld vcl], John Calvin “Cal” Maddox [rh gt/hmny vcl-3/harmonica-4], Henry Ford Maddox [hmny vcl-3/mandolin], Bud Duncan [steel], Fred Roscoe Maddox (2nd vcl-1/vcl-2/hmny vcl-3/bass], Kenneth Chalmer “Don” Maddox [hmny vcl-5/fiddle],)
Released on 4-Star 1239




Listen here:




(c) Cisco Houston (as "Tramp on the Street")
Recorded around 1960, but not released.
Finally released on the album "Best of the Vanguard Years" (2000)



Listen to a sample here:





(c) Staple Singers (1967)


Listen here:




(c) Peter, Paul & Mary 1968 (as "Tramp on the Street")


Listen here:




(c) Joan Baez 1969  (as "The Tramp on the Street")


Listen here:




Bob Dylan may have found the inspiration in "Only a Tramp" and/or "Tramp on the Street" to write his songs "Man on the Street" and 1 year later "Only a Hobo"











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