[Dixielandjazz] Wabash Blues

[Bill Haesler]

  billsharp wrote:
> Wabash blues is traditionally played in Eb.  I once saw a "chorus  
> patter".  Would anyone please have it, with the chords?
> Also, Is there a verse?

Dear Bill,
This is what I have.
I hope it helps.
The interludes shown below are the "chorus patter" you mention.
The Lucille Hegamin version for Arto recorded in Oct 1921 has intro/  
verse/chorus/interlude 1/chorus.
The Mamie Smith version for Okeh recorded on 16 Feb 1922 has intro/ 
verse/chorus interlude 1/interlude 2/chorus.
Both change the lyrics only slightly to suit their style.
I also checked other band versions in my collection (Benson Orch of  
Chicago, Isham Jones Ted Lewis, Troy Floyd, Coon-Sanders Nighthawks,  
Charleston Chasers) while preparing this thread, but most used a 2-bar  
intro then chorus/verse/choruses.
Those that included a vocal used the words to the chorus only.
There is a good selection of early versions at the Red Hot Jazz Song  
site:
    http://www.mainely-jazz.com/rhsongs/songframes.html
Kind regards,
Bill.

WABASH BLUES
(Fred Meinken - Dave Ringle 1921)

Verse:
Bb/D7  	Gm/Bb   	C7/F7   	Bb/F7
Bb/D7   	Gm/Bb   	C7   		F7
Bb		Bb7		Eb		Gb7
Bb		Bb/G7	C7/F7	B7

Verse 1
NEARLY BROKEN HEARTED SINCE THE DAY I ONCE STARTED
FROM MY WABASH HOME
INDIANA SLEEPS AND IT'S A PLACE THAT'S HARD TO BEAT
BUT THEN I LONGED TO ROAM
MY OLD HOMESTEAD NOW I CAN SEE,
I HAD A BOY AS SWEET AS COULD BE,
NOW EVERY DAY I'M SO LONESOME IT'S MISERY.

Chorus
OH THOSE WABASH BLUES I KNOW I GOT MY DUES
A LONESOME SOUL AM I; I FEEL THAT I COULD DIE
CANDLE LIGHT THAT GLEAMS HAUNTS ME IN MY DREAMS
I'LL PACK MY WALKING SHOES TO LOSE THOSE WABASH BLUES

Interlude I
THROUGH THAe SYCAMORE THE CANDLE LIGHT IS SHINING BRIGHT,
MEMORY BRINGS THE SCENT OF NEW MOWN HAY TO ME EACH NIgHT;
I AM STARTING FOR THAT SPOT NO NEED TO ASK ME WHEN;
I'LL BE LEAVING HOOFPRINTS TOWARDS THE OLD HOME ROAD AGAIN

Chorus
OH THOSE WABASH BLUES I KNOW I GOT MY DUES
A LONESOME SOUL AM I; I FEEL THAT I COULD DIE
CANDLE LIGHT THAT GLEAMS HAUNTS ME IN MY DREAMS
I'LL PACK MY WALKING SHOES TO LOSE THOSE WABASH BLUES

Verse 2
I AM JUST A MOURNER FOR EACH LITTLE NOOK AND CORNER
THAT I USED TO KNOW
NO MORE WILL I LINGER, 'COS I SEE A WARNING FINGER
POINTING WHERE T0 G0,
THERE'S NO REASON WHY I SHOULD STAY,
I'LL TAKE A HINT AND I'LL BEAT IT AWAY,
OLD MEMORIES BRING RECOLLECTIONS THE WHILE I STAY,

Chorus
OH THOSE WABASH BLUES I KNOW I GOT MY DUES
A LONESOME SOUL AM I; I FEEL THAT I COULD DIE
CANDLE LIGHT THAT GLEAMS HAUNTS ME IN MY DREAMS
I'LL PACK MY WALKING SHOES TO LOSE THOSE WABASH BLUES

Interlude 2
EXPECT TO SEE THE MOON SHINE ON THE WABASH ANY NIGHT.
SEEMS THAT SUCH A PICTURE'S BOUND TO TURN ME TO THE RIGHT.
MAKING UP MY MIND TO SEE THAT HOME SO FAR AWAY,
TILL THAT HAPPENS HERE'S THE BEST THAT I CAN SAY.

Chorus
OH THOSE WABASH BLUES I KNOW I GOT MY DUES
A LONESOME SOUL AM I; I FEEL THAT I COULD DIE
CANDLE LIGHT THAT GLEAMS HAUNTS ME IN MY DREAMS
I'LL PACK MY WALKING SHOES TO LOSE THOSE WABASH BLUES