Tishomingo Blues

"Tishomingo Blues" is a song by Spencer Williams. The tune was first published in 1917. The title refers to Tishomingo, Mississippi.[1]

This article is about the song by Spencer Williams. For the Elmore Leonard novel, see Tishomingo Blues (novel).

"Tishomingo Blues"
Sheet music, 1917
Song
Published1917
Songwriter(s)Spencer Williams

The song was first recorded in 1918 by Eddie Nelson on Emerson Records #913. It became a jazz standard, and continues to be performed and recorded into the 21st century. The song has been adapted with different lyrics, written by Garrison Keillor, as the theme song of A Prairie Home Companion.[2]

Lyrics

First verse

Oh Mississippi, oh Mississippi
My heart cries out for you in sadness
I want to be where the wintry winds don't blow
Down where the southern moon swings low
That's where I want to go

Chorus

I'm goin' to Tishomingo, because I'm sad today
I wish to linger way down old Dixie way
Oh, my weary heart cries out in pain
Oh, how I wish that I was back again
With a race, in a place
Where they make you welcome all the time
Way down in Mississippi, among the cypress trees
They get you dippy, with their strange melodies
To resist temptation, I just can't refuse
In Tishomingo I wish to linger
Where they play the weary blues

Second verse

Tonight I'm prayin', tonight I'm sayin'
Oh Lord please take the train that takes me
To Tishomingo, 'way down old Dixie way
Where southern folks are always gay
That's why you hear me say
I'm goin' to Tishomingo

Repeat Chorus

Recordings

References
  1. Muir, Peter C. Long Lost Blues: Popular Blues in America, 1850-1920. University of Illinois Press 2009. Page 43. ISBN 9780252076763
  2. Justin, Neal. Daher, Natalie. "Chris Thile addresses scandal around his 'Prairie Home' predecessor Garrison Keillor". Associated Press News online. December 2, 2017
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