Dick Justice … Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists who used the name Dick Justice.
Dick Justice (born Henry Franklin Justice april 3, 1903, died September 12,1962), was an influential blues and folk musician who hailed from West Virginia, United States. He recorded ten songs for Brunswick Records in Chicago in 1929. He was heavily influenced by black musicians, particularly Luke Jordan who recorded in 1927 and 1929 for Victor Records. Justice's "Cocaine" is a verse-for-verse cover of the Jordan track of the same name recorded two years earlier. The song "Brownskin Blues" is also stylistically akin the much of Jordan's work but stands on its own as a Justice original. As Jordan hailed from around Lynchburg, Virginia it is perhaps worth speculating that the two may have been associates. Justice is also musically related to Frank Hutchison (with whom he played music and worked as a coal miner in Logan County, West Virginia) and The Williamson Brothers. His recording of the traditional ballad 'Henry Lee' is the opening track of Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. He also worked closely with Reese Jarvis(1899-1967) who played violin on "Muskrat Rag "and "Poca River Blues".
There was also an alternative rock band from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois named Dick Justice. They formed in late 1991, taking their name from one Richard Justice . . . the associate dean of students at the University of Illinois in charge of student discipline and mediation programs. Original members included Jim Kamp (guitar, vocals), Galen Gondolfi (drums, vocals) and Rob Arrol (bass, vocals). The band played thier first show on January 24, 1992 at a house party (with Bob Rising from Poster Children/Seam guesting on drums). dick justice made a name for themselves throughout the Midwest, through regular touring and playing with the likes of Pavement, Yo La Tengo, Elvis Hitler, Material Issue, Pansy Division, A Flock of Seagulls, Arcwelder, Busker Soundcheck, Tripmaster Monkey, Honcho Overload, The Moon Seven Times, Delta Kings, Walt Mink and one incredibly memorable night with Alcohol Funnycar. The original members released one 7-inch on Mud Records in December 1993. The Lasso Your Heart EP featured the songs "Nine Outta Ten" (also included on the CD comp. Mud Puddle Playoffs) and "Part of Your Problem." Arrol departed in May 1994. During this period he was also rhythm guitarist For Decatur, Illinois' and Medium Cool Recording Artists' Ticks. He reimerged in the fall of 1994 playing guitar and singing with a pop-punk power trio known as "mary me" with braid's Todd Bell on bass on Roy Ewing on drums. They recorded for John Yates' Allied Recordings. Gondolfi and Kamp recruited Chris Green to fill in before relocating to Chicago and asking Jeff Sorensen to assume full-time bass duties. Gondolfi eventually left the band with Paul Pagones taking over on drums. Gondolfi took a brake from drumming to travel and experience many parts of the United States. He came back into the spotlight in St. Louis' Push and currently drums with an outfit known as Airport Elementary. The Kamp, Sorensen, Pagones line-up of dick justice released two 7-inches: DICK JUSTICE ROCK on Evanston, Illinois' ten-spot record company, inc. and Superfancy Heavy Duty Everything on Chicago's Thick Records. Kamp later fronted seminal Chicago bands Team Player and Snaklab All-Tsars (w/Pagones on drums). He currently plays with his brother Paul (Busker Soundcheck) in Ruth Buzzy. On May 25, 2008, the original line-up of Rob Arrol, Galen Gondolfi and Jim Kamp reunited in Champaign, IL for a show at The High Dive. In front of a sell out crowd, dick justice (the band) was introduced by Dick Justice (the man). Others on the bill that night were Driver Has No Cash, Corndolly, The Moon Seven Times, Mother/Menthol and Honcho Overload.
Old Black Dog
Dick Justice Lyrics
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Old black dog when I'm gone.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
And it's, "Honey, where you been so long?"
My daddy, he's a gambler,
He taught me how to play.
Told me to bet my money,
Old black dog when I'm gone, lord, lord.
Old black dog when I'm gone.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
And it's, "Honey, where you been so long?"
Been all around Kentucky,
The state of old Tennessee.
Anywhere I hang my hat,
It'll be home sweet home to me.
Old black dog when I'm gone, lord, lord.
Old black dog when I'm gone.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
And it's, "Honey, where you been so long?"
See the train a-coming,
She is packing my casket, lord
Going to the graveyard,
Where the grave will be my home.
Old black dog when I'm gone, lord, lord
Old black dog when I'm gone.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
And it's "Honey, where you been so long?"
Dick Justice's song "Old Black Dog" is a classic blues tune that expresses a sense of longing and nostalgia for places and experiences of the past. The song is primarily about a man who sets out on a journey leaving behind a loved one, but assures her that everything will be alright as her black dog will be with her in his absence to keep her company. He promises her that he will bring back a ten-dollar bill on his return, before asking her where she has been in his absence, insinuating a sense of jealousy or ownership over her.
Justice is a skilled storyteller, who shares vivid anecdotes in this song. He pays homage to his father who was a gambler and taught him the tricks of the trade, encouraging him to bet on the Ace, Deuce, Jack, and Tray- card games that were popular at the time. He also highlights his extensive travels through Kentucky and Tennessee, where he has visited several places, but craves the comfort of home wherever he hangs his hat. The song ends on a somber note, with the singer envisioning his death and his casket being loaded onto a train headed for the grave where he will finally find his permanent resting place.
Line by Line Meaning
Old black dog when I'm gone, lord, lord.
I'm talking about a faithful old dog who'll be waiting for me when I'm dead and gone.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
If I come back from my adventures with a little bit of money,
And it's, 'Honey, where you been so long?'
Someone will ask me where I've been.
My daddy, he's a gambler,
My father was a gambler and taught me how to play cards.
He taught me how to play.
He taught me how to play card games so that I could join in his gambling.
Told me to bet my money,
My dad advised me to risk my money and bet on the cards I felt lucky about.
On Ace, Deuce, Jack and Tray.
He recommended that I bet on specific cards in a deck.
Been all around Kentucky,
I've traveled far and wide and explored the state of Kentucky.
The state of old Tennessee.
I've traveled through the state of Tennessee too.
Anywhere I hang my hat,
Wherever I decide to stay for a bit,
It'll be home sweet home to me.
That place will be home to me, and it will feel like home.
See the train a-coming,
I see the train coming, and it's taking me to my final resting place.
She is packing my casket, lord
The train is carrying my casket as I head to my grave.
Going to the graveyard,
The train is taking me to the cemetery.
Where the grave will be my home.
My grave will be my final resting place.
Old black dog when I'm gone, lord, lord
Again I'm talking about this loyal old dog, who will be waiting for me when I'm no more.
When I come back with a ten dollar bill,
If I come back from my adventure with some money,
And it's 'Honey, where you been so long?'
Someone will ask me where I've been and what took me so long to come back.
Contributed by Luke C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.