Since the 1960s, Carter has become best known for his bawdy songs such as "Banana in Your Fruit Basket", "Pin in Your Cushion", "Your Biscuits Are Big Enough for Me", "Please Warm My Wiener" and "My Pencil Won't Write No More". However, his output was not restricted to risqué music. In 1928, he recorded the original version of "Corrine, Corrina", which later became a hit for Big Joe Turner and has become a standard in various musical genres.
Carter and his brothers (including pianist Harry Chatmon, who also made recordings), first learned music from their father, ex-slave fiddler Henderson Chatmon, at their home on a plantation between Bolton and Edwards, Mississippi. Their mother, Eliza, also sang and played guitar.
Carter made his recording debut in 1928, backing Alec Johnson. Carter soon was recording as a solo artist and became one of the dominant blues recording acts of the 1930s, recording 110 sides. He also played with and managed the family group, the Mississippi Sheiks, and several other acts in the area. He and the Sheiks often played for whites, playing the pop hits of the day and white-oriented dance material, as well as for blacks, using a bluesier repertoire.
Carter went partly blind during the 1930s. He settled in Glen Allan, Mississippi and despite his vision problems did some farming but also continued to play music and perform, sometimes with his brothers. Carter moved to Memphis, and worked outside the music industry in the 1940s.
Carter suffered strokes and died of a cerebral hemorrhage at Shelby County Hospital, Memphis, on September 21, 1964.
Bo Carter's style of playing the guitar and his songwriting won him fans long after he died. One of the most notable examples was blues-rock guitarist, Rory Gallagher from Ireland, who performed several of his songs, including, "All Around Man."
Arrangement For Me Blues
Bo Carter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will pack your water from the boggy bayou
Hey now tell me sweet baby, who may your manager be
For many more questions, won′t you please make arrangements for me
Your hair's so doggone curly and your eyes ain't blue
That′s why sweet baby I′m makin' a fool about you
Hey now tell me now baby, who may your manager be
Won′t you please make arrangements for poor me
Says I ain't good lookin′, babe I don't dress fine
When you come to lovin′, I'll pacify your mind
Hey now tell me baby, who may your manager be
For many more little old questions,
Won't you please make arrangements for poor me
Yes gal - yea
Here′s another little thing baby, want you to bear in mind
When I get my paycheck, I give you my last dime
Hey now tell me now baby, who may your manager be
For many more little old questions,
Won′t you please make arrangements for poor me
I wished I was like a little fish in the deep blue sea
So a woman like you could take a little fish at me
Hey now tell me now baby, who may your manager be
For many more little old questions,
Won't you please make arrangements for poor me
Bo Carter's song 'Arrangement For Me Blues' is a humorous love song that is both playful and suggestive. The lyrics talk about the singer's infatuation with a woman and his desire for her to make arrangements to be with him. The opening lyrics, "Babe I’ll split your kindling, you know I'll build your fire, I will pack your water from the boggy bayou" suggest that the singer is willing to work hard for this woman and take care of her every need. He then goes on to ask her who her manager is, implying that he wants to make arrangements to be with her. The line "your hair's so doggone curly and your eyes ain't blue, that's why sweet baby, I'm making a fool about you" is a playful compliment about her appearance. He then goes on to say that even though he isn't good-looking, he will pacify her mind with his love.
The song's chorus is a plea for the woman to make arrangements for him. He wants her to take charge and make the decisions to be with him. He talks about giving her his last dime, and compares himself to a little fish in the sea, hoping that she will take "a little fish" like him. The lyrics are accompanied by a lively blues melody, adding to the playful nature of the song. Overall, 'Arrangement For Me Blues' is a light-hearted song that showcases Bo Carter's talent for combining suggestive lyrics with a catchy tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Babe I'll split your kindling, you know I'll build your fire
I am willing to do everything for you, even the small details.
I will pack your water from the boggy bayou
I am always ready to serve you, no matter the inconvenience or hardship.
Hey now tell me sweet baby, who may your manager be
Can you tell me who influences and decides for you so that I can ask for their permission?
For many more questions, won't you please make arrangements for me
I have a lot of things I want to know and ask from you, can we have an arrangement for that?
Your hair's so doggone curly and your eyes ain't blue
You may not have the typical beauty standards, but for me, you are still gorgeous.
That's why sweet baby I'm makin' a fool about you
I am drawn and smitten by you, even if it means making a fool out of myself.
Says I ain't good lookin', babe I don't dress fine
I am not the most attractive and well-dressed person, but I can make it up to you with a good heart.
When you come to lovin', I'll pacify your mind
I may not have material things to offer, but my love and care will give you peace of mind.
Here's another little thing baby, want you to bear in mind
I have another thing to let you know and remember.
When I get my paycheck, I give you my last dime
I am willing to spend all my earnings on you since you matter to me the most.
I wished I was like a little fish in the deep blue sea
I want to be in a position where you can pay attention and choose me, even if I am small and insignificant.
So a woman like you could take a little fish at me
I hope that you can see through my flaws, and choose me as someone worthy of your love and affection.
Hey now tell me now baby, who may your manager be
I need to know who calls the shots in your life so that I can adjust and make proper arrangements.
Won't you please make arrangements for poor me
I am not well-off or influential, so I hope you can help me sort things out and make it easier for me.
Writer(s): Bo Carter
Contributed by Owen O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.