Patton was born in Hinds County, Mississippi, near the town of Edwards, and lived most of his life in Sunflower County in the Mississippi Delta. Some sources say he was born May 1, 1891, but there is some debate about this, and the years 1887 and 1894 have also been suggested.
Patton's parentage and race have been the subject of debate. Although born to Bill and Annie Patton, locally he was regarded as having been fathered by former slave Henderson Chatmon, many of whose other children also became popular Delta musicians both as solo acts and as members of groups such as the Mississippi Sheiks. Biographer John Fahey describes Patton as having "light skin and Caucasian features." Though Patton was considered African-American, because of his light complexion there have been rumors that he was Mexican, or possibly a full-blood Cherokee, a theory endorsed by Howlin' Wolf. In actuality, Patton was a mix of white, black, and Cherokee (one of his grandmothers was a full-blooded Cherokee). Patton himself sang in "Down the Dirt Road Blues" of having gone to "the Nation" and "the Territo'"—meaning the Cherokee Nation portion of the Indian Territory (which became part of the state of Oklahoma in 1907), where a number of Black Indians tried unsuccessfully to claim a place on the tribal rolls and thereby obtain land.
In 1900, his family moved 100 miles (160 km) north to the legendary 10,000-acre (40 km2) Dockery Plantation sawmill and cotton farm near Ruleville, Mississippi. It was here that both John Lee Hooker and Howlin' Wolf fell under the Patton spell as well as Willie Brown, Tommy Johnson, and Fiddlin' Joe Martin. It was also here that Robert Johnson played and was given his first guitar. At Dockery, Charley fell under the tutelage of Henry Sloan, who had a new, unusual style of playing music which today would be considered very early blues. Charley followed Henry Sloan around, and, by the time he was about 19, had become an accomplished performer and songwriter in his own right, having already composed "Pony Blues," a seminal song of the era.
Robert Palmer describes Patton as a "jack-of all-trades bluesman" who played "deep blues, white hillbilly songs, nineteenth-century ballads, and other varieties of black and white country dance music with equal facility". He was extremely popular across the Southern United States and also performed annually in Chicago, Illinois and, in 1934, New York City. In contrast to the itinerant wandering of most blues musicians of his time, Patton played scheduled engagements at plantations and taverns. Long before Jimi Hendrix impressed audiences with flashy guitar playing, Patton gained notoriety for his showmanship, often playing with the guitar down on his knees, behind his head, or behind his back. Although Patton was a small man at about 5 foot 5,[8] his gravelly voice was rumored to have been loud enough to carry 500 yards without amplification. Patton's gritty bellowing was a major influence on the singing style of his young friend Chester Burnett, who went on to gain fame in Chicago as Howlin' Wolf.
Patton settled in Holly Ridge, Mississippi with his common-law wife and recording partner Bertha Lee in 1933. He died on the Heathman-Dedham plantation near Indianola on April 28, 1934 and is buried in Holly Ridge (both towns are located in Sunflower County). Patton's death certificate states that he died of a mitral valve disorder. Bertha Lee is not mentioned on the certificate, the only informant listed being one Willie Calvin. His death was not reported in the newspapers. A memorial headstone was erected on Patton's grave (the location of which was identified by the cemetery caretaker C. Howard who claimed to have been present at the burial) paid for by musician John Fogerty through the Mt. Zion Memorial Fund in July, 1990. The spelling of Patton's name was dictated by Jim O'Neal, who also composed the Patton epitaph.
Screamin' and Hollerin' the Blues: The Worlds of Charley Patton (2001) is a boxed set collecting Patton's recorded works. It also featured recordings by many of his friends and associates. The set won three Grammy Awards in 2003 for Best Historical Album, Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, and Best Album Notes. Another collection of Patton recordings, released under Catfish Records, is titled The Definitive Charley Patton.
Charley Patton's song "Pony Blues" (1929) was included by the National Recording Preservation Board in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2006. The board selects songs in an annual basis that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
In 2013 Jack White's Third Man Records teamed up with Document Records to reissue The Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order of Charley Patton, Blind Willie McTell and The Mississippi Sheiks.
The Mississippi Blues Trail placed its first historic marker on Charley Patton's grave in Holly Ridge, Mississippi, in recognition of his legendary status as a bluesman and his importance in the development of the blues in Mississippi. It placed another historic marker at the site where the Peavine Railroad intersects with Highway 446 in Boyle, Mississippi, designating it as a second site related to Patton on the Mississippi Blues Trail. The marker commemorates the original lyrics of Patton's "Peavine Blues" that describe the railway branch of Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad, which ran south from Dockery Plantation to Boyle. The marker emphasizes that a common theme of blues songs was riding on the railroad which was seen as a metaphor for travel and escape.
Tributes
"Blind Owl" Alan Wilson & Canned Heat covered Patton songs "Pony Blues", "Shake It and Break It" and "Yellow Bee".
Bob Dylan dedicated his song "High Water (For Charley Patton)", on his 2001 album "Love and Theft", to Patton.
The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band internationally touring American country blues recording/touring artists, fronted by Kentucky Colonel, The Reverend Peyton, produced a tribute recording to Charley Patton: Peyton on Patton, which was released July 19, 2011. The album entered the Billboard Blues Album chart at #7.
French singer-songwriter Francis Cabrel refers to Charley Patton in the song "Cent Ans de Plus" on his 1999 album Hors-Saison.
Indie rock band Gomez recorded a song on their 2006 release How We Operate, entitled "Charley Patton Songs".
There is a picture of Charley Patton in the recording studio used for The White Stripes' album Icky Thump. It can be seen in the background of the short demo video on their website
Jule Brown recorded an updated arrangement of Patton's "Green River Blues", on their 2006 release Smoke and Mirrors.
Robert Crumb narrated Patton's life in a comic book.
The 1980s NYC Punk/Blues band Hi Sheriffs of Blue (which included visual artists Mark Dagley, George Condo and Elliott Sharp) was named after the Patton song "High Sheriff Blues".
Discography
Gennett Records, Richmond, Indiana, 1929
"Pony Blues"
"Mississippi Boweavil Blues"
"Screamin' And Hollerin' The Blues"
"Down The Dirt Road Blues"
"Banty Rooster Blues"
"Pea Vine Blues"
"It Won't Be Long"
"Tom Rushen Blues"
"A Spoonful Blues"
"Shake It And Break It (But Don't Let It Fall Mama)"
"Prayer Of Death Part 1 & 2"
"Lord I'm Discouraged"
"I'm Goin' Home"
Paramount Records, Grafton, Wisconsin, 1929
"Going To Move To Alabama"
"Elder Greene Blues"
"Circle Round The Moon"
"Devil Sent The Rain Blues"
"Mean Black Cat Blues"
"Frankie And Albert"
"Some These Days I'll Be Gone"
"Green River Blues"
"Hammer Blues"
"Magnolia Blues"
"When Your Way Gets Dark"
"Heart Like Railroad Steel"
"Some Happy Day"
"You're Gonna Need Somebody When You Die"
"Jim Lee Blues Part 1"
"Jim Lee Blues Part 2"
"High Water Everywhere Part 1"
"High Water Everywhere Part 2"
"Jesus Is A Dying-Bed Maker"
"I Shall Not Be Moved"
"Rattlesnake Blues"
"Running Wild Blues"
"Joe Kirby"
"Mean Black Moan"
"Farrell Blues"
"Come Back Corrina"
"Tell Me Man Blues"
"Be True Be True Blues"
Paramount Records, Grafton, Wisconsin, 1930
"Dry Well Blues"
"Some Summer Day"
"Moon Going Down"
"Bird Nest Bound"
Vocalion Records, New York City, New York, 1934
"Jersey Bull Blues"
"High Sheriff Blues"
"Stone Pony Blues"
"34 Blues"
"Love My Stuff"
"Revenue Man Blues"
"Oh Death"
"Troubled 'Bout My Mother"
"Poor Me"
"Hang It On The Wall"
"Yellow Bee"
"Mind Reader Blues"
Shake It Break It
Charley Patton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out the window, catch it 'fore it roll
You can shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
Out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Everybody have a jelly roll like mine, I lives in town
I, ain't got no brown, I, an' I want it now
You can snatch it, you can grab it, you can break it, you can twist it
Any way that I love to get it
I, had my right mind since I, I blowed this town
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't ya let it fall
Jus' shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
You can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
I ain't got nobody here but me and myself
I, stay blue all the time, aw, when the sun goes down
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
You can shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it fall
You can break it, you can hang it on the wall
Out the window, catch...
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
You can snatch it, you can grab it, you can break it, you can twist it
Any way that I love to get it
I, had my right mind, I, be worried sometime
'Bout a jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Just shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
You can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
I know I been to town, I, I walked around
I, start leavin' town, I, I fool around
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Just shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
You can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Jus' shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it
In "Shake It Break It," Charley Patton sings about a metaphorical object that he refers to as his "jelly" and his "roll." While it is unclear what exactly this object represents, it is likely either his musical talent or his physical body. Throughout the song, he urges his "sweet mama" to not let his jelly and roll fall or break, potentially alluding to his fear of losing his talent or his physical health. He also mentions his desire for a brown substance, which could be a reference to drugs or alcohol. Patton delivers the lyrics in a fast-paced and energetic manner, further emphasizing the urgency of his pleas to his sweet mama.
The lyrics of "Shake It Break It" offer a window into the world of early blues musicians in the Mississippi Delta. Many blues songs of this era focused on themes of sex, drugs, and other vices, as well as the challenges of life in the Jim Crow South. This song also highlights Patton's impressive skill as a performer, as he blends elements of traditional blues with his own unique style. Overall, "Shake It Break It" is a testament to Patton's talent as a songwriter and performer, as well as a valuable artifact of the early blues genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Just shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
You can handle my emotions however you want, but don't let it go to waste
Out the window, catch it 'fore it roll
Hold onto my love before it disappears
You can shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
I am willing to give you all of me, don't let it go to waste
Out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
Hold onto my love before it slips away
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
My love is precious to me, please appreciate and treasure it
Everybody have a jelly roll like mine, I lives in town
Everyone has their own love to give, but mine is unique to me and where I come from
I, ain't got no brown, I, an' I want it now
I may not have everything I need, but I still have love to share and I want it to be appreciated
You can snatch it, you can grab it, you can break it, you can twist it
You can handle my love however you want
Any way that I love to get it
As long as I am able to share my love, I am happy
I, had my right mind since I, I blowed this town
I have always been in control of my emotions since I moved here
You can shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
My love is in your hands, do what you like with it
It out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
Don't let my love slip away from you
I ain't got nobody here but me and myself
I may not have anyone else, but I still have my love to give
I, stay blue all the time, aw, when the sun goes down
I am always feeling down, especially at night
You can snatch it, you can grab it, you can break it, you can twist it
My love is in your hands, handle it with care
I, had my right mind, I, be worried sometime
Even though I am in control of my emotions, I still worry about love slipping away
'Bout a jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
I value my love and hope that you appreciate it too
I know I been to town, I, I walked around
I have experienced love in various forms
I, start leavin' town, I, I fool around
I may try to leave love behind, but I always come back to it
Jus' shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
My love is malleable, it is up to you to shape it
It out the window, catch it 'fore it
Don't let my love slip away
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLEY PATTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@strangelovemd1
Just shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
Out the window, catch it 'fore it roll
You can shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
Out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Everybody have a jelly roll like mine, I lives in town
I, ain't got no brown, I, an' I want it now
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
You can snatch it, you can grab it, you can break it, you can twist it
Any way that I love to get it
I, had my right mind since I, I blowed this town
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't ya let it fall
Jus' shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
You can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
I ain't got nobody here but me and myself
I, stay blue all the time, aw, when the sun goes down
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
You can shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it fall
You can break it, you can hang it on the wall
Out the window, catch...
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
You can snatch it, you can grab it, you can break it, you can twist it
Any way that I love to get it
I, had my right mind, I, be worried sometime
'Bout a jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Just shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
You can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
I know I been to town, I, I walked around
I, start leavin' town, I, I fool around
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Just shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
You can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Jus' shake it, you can break it, you can hang it on the wall
It out the window, catch it 'fore it
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Charley Patton
Shake It & Break It (But Don't Let It Fall, Mama) lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
@raagehomar
You can shake it, you can break it,
you can hang it on the wall
Throw it out the window, catch it 'fore it roll
You can shake it, you can break it,
you can hang it on the wall
...it out the window, catch it 'fore it falls
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
Everybody have a jelly roll like mine, I lives in town
I, ain't got no brown, I, an' I want it now
My jelly, my roll, sweet mama, don't let it fall
You can snatch it, you can grab it, you can break it,
you can twist it, any way that I love to get it
I, had my right mind since I, I blowed this town
@bdpatton2
Love you great great grand pappy!
@pretzelgirl772
Charlie Patton was brilliant and we are so lucky that these recordings were not lost...so many artists were not caught on video and it's a damn shame.
@MrPisster
+Pretzel Girl I don't think you mean "video".
@pretzelgirl772
why?
@pretzelgirl772
don't catch your meaning...you see any Charlie patton videos floating around?
@poutinedavid8937
It's been a year so it's safe to say MrPisster is comfortable being an asshead.
@oldgrannywheels
@@poutinedavid8937 Pretzel Girl wrote this confusingly, which lead MrPisster to misunderstand it. It reads, "we are so lucky that these recordings were not lost (audio, were talkin about audio in this sentence), so many artists were not caught on video." Looks like you meant to say audio, not video. I guess it was a side thought, but not only does it not have to do with the first thought, but it's so obvious it doesn't make sense cramming in there awkwardly. I'm with MrPisster on this. Funny 5 others read it differently.
@aaronmccutcheon
This song is all about rhythm! Him stomping his feet and tapping on the guitar, whilst playing and singing...amazing!
@gabrielaagusts9854
legendary
@MegaRomeg
😁 ok.