Bo Carter (born Armenter Chatmon, June 30, 1892 or March 21, 1893 - Septem… Read Full Bio ↴Bo Carter (born Armenter Chatmon, June 30, 1892 or March 21, 1893 - September 21, 1964) was an American early blues musician. He was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks in concerts, and on a few of their recordings. Carter also managed that group, which included his brother, Lonnie Chatmon, on fiddle and occasionally Sam Chatmon on bass, along with a friend, Walter Vinson, on guitar and lead vocals.

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."

Who's Been Here?
Bo Carter Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby who been here since your daddy been gone
Says he must have been a preacher daddy, had a long coat on
Says he must have been a preacher daddy, had a long coat on

Baby who been here since you daddy been gone
I don′t know who the man was daddy, had a derby on
He had a derby on, he had a derby on
I don't know who the man was daddy, had a derby on

Baby who been here since you daddy been gone
Says he must have been a jellybean had long shoes on
He had long shoes on he had long shoes on
Says he must have been a jellybean had long shoes on

Baby preacher′s in the pulpit just trying to save our souls
And his daughter's out on the highway corner selling sweet jellyroll
Selling sweet jellyroll selling sweet jellyroll
Says his daughter's out on the highway corner selling sweet jellyroll

And the preacher′s in the pulpit jumping up and down
And the sisters back in the amen corner they′re southern bound

They're saloon bound they′re southern bound
The sisters back in the amen corner they're southern bound

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bo Carter's song "Who's Been Here?" depict a conversation between a father and his child regarding the people who have been present in their lives in the father's absence. The child informs the father that someone resembling a preacher has been around, wearing a long coat and a derby. However, the child is unsure of the man's identity. The father asks again, and the child mentions that the person might have been a jellybean, wearing long shoes.

These lyrics can be interpreted in various ways. One possible interpretation is that the song explores the theme of infidelity and the consequences it has on family dynamics. The father's absence suggests that he has been away from home, possibly engaging in dalliances. The child's description of different men, specifically mentioning a preacher and a jellybean, highlights the ambiguity and mystery surrounding the father's actions. The mention of the daughter selling sweet jellyroll on the highway corner further emphasizes the theme of infidelity and its impact on the family.

Alternatively, the song could also be seen as a playful and humorous commentary on the unpredictable nature of relationships. The father's absence is acknowledged, but the focus seems to be on the child's amusing and imaginative descriptions of the people who have been around. The lyrics create a sense of curiosity and intrigue, leaving the listener to wonder about the true nature of the father's activities and the family's dynamics.

Line by Line Meaning

Baby who been here since your daddy been gone
Baby, who has been with you while your father has been away

Says he must have been a preacher daddy, had a long coat on
She suggests that the person must have been a preacher, dressed in a long coat

I don't know who the man was daddy, had a derby on
She admits that she doesn't know the man, but he was wearing a derby hat

He had a derby on, he had a derby on
Repeating that the man had indeed worn a derby hat

Says he must have been a jellybean had long shoes on
She speculates that the man may have been a flashy dresser, wearing long shoes like a jellybean

He had long shoes on, he had long shoes on
Repeating that the man did wear long shoes

Says he must have been a jellybean had long shoes on
Continuing to suggest that the man may have been flamboyantly dressed, with long shoes like a jellybean

Baby preacher's in the pulpit just trying to save our souls
Describing the preacher as being in the pulpit, attempting to save their souls

And his daughter's out on the highway corner selling sweet jellyroll
Explaining that the preacher's daughter is out on the street, selling a sweet type of pastry called jellyroll

Selling sweet jellyroll, selling sweet jellyroll
Repeating that the daughter is indeed selling sweet jellyroll

Says his daughter's out on the highway corner selling sweet jellyroll
Affirming that the preacher's daughter is, indeed, selling sweet jellyroll on the highway corner

And the preacher's in the pulpit jumping up and down
Indicating that the preacher is energetically jumping in the pulpit

And the sisters back in the amen corner they're southern bound
Referring to the sisters who are located in the amen corner, suggesting that they are heading south

They're saloon bound they're southern bound
Stating that the sisters are headed towards a saloon and heading further south

The sisters back in the amen corner they're southern bound
Reiterating that the sisters sitting in the amen corner are heading south

Writer(s): Bo Armenter Carter

Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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