Furry's style of blues was in many ways typical of the songsters who operated in and around Memphis in the 1920s, for whom the value of a song was the story it told, and who tended to back their words with hypnotic repetitive riffs and subtle slide guitars. Furry Lewis's soft voice and quick slide work were particularly effective in this style. He recorded many successful records in the late '20s including "Kassie Jones",Billy Lyons, Stack-O-Lee and Judge Harsh Blues (later called Good morning judge).
This success was limited to the race records of the time, cheap sides by black musicians for black customers. Furry received neither fame nor fortune for his efforts. In 1962, however, he was recorded by the folklorist Adrian Mitchell and his fortunes began to pick up. Before he died in 1981 Furry opened twice for the Rolling Stones, played on Johnny Carson's Tonight show and had a part in a Burt Reynolds movie, some justice for this great player of the blues and his inimitable slide guitar style.
Joni Mitchell's song, "Furry Sings the Blues" (on her Hejira album), is about Lewis. According to Wikipedia, Lewis despised the Mitchell song and demanded she pay him royalties.
Judge Boushay Blues
Furry Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good mornin' judge, what may be my fine?
Good mornin' judge, what may be my fine?
Fifty dollars eleven twenty-nine
They arrest me for murder and I ain't never harmed a man
Arrest me for murder and I ain't never harmed a man
Arrest me for forgery and I can't even sign my name
Arrest me for murder and I ain't hurt a man
Arrest me for murder and I ain't harmed a man
Arrest Furry for forgery and he can't even sign his name
Some got six months, some got a solid year
Some got six months, some got a solid year
But me and my partner, we got lifetime here
If I just had-a known, goin' to get so long
If I just had-a known, I was goin' to get so long
Boy if I had-a known, I was goin' to get so long
Some Western country would have been my home
Western country would have been my home
Western country would have been my home
I know my baby, she don't know I'm here
I know my baby, she don't know I'm here
Boy that baby, she don't know I'm here
If she do, she sure don't feel my care
The opening lines of "Judge Boushay Blues" by Furry Lewis speak of a conversation between a defendant and a judge. The defendant greets the judge with the phrase "Good morning, judge" and inquires about their fine, to which they receive the reply "Fifty dollars eleven twenty-nine". The defendant then proclaims their innocence, stating they have never harmed or murdered anyone, yet they have been arrested for these very crimes. Furthermore, they note that they cannot even forge a signature, but they have been arrested for forgery.
The second stanza repeats this assertion of innocence and adds a touch of irony, as Furry Lewis refers to himself in the third person by stating "Arrest Furry for forgery and he can't even sign his name." The final stanza speaks of the punishment that he and his partner received - a lifetime in prison. Furry laments not knowing that he would receive such a long sentence and wishes that he had known to go to Western country, where he feels he would have been better off. He adds a final personal lament that his baby does not even know he is in prison, nor does she care even if she did.
"Judge Boushay Blues" has several interpretations. It could be referring to racism and discrimination in the justice system, where innocent people were falsely accused and given harsh sentences. Some speculate that it is based on Furry Lewis's own life experiences, as he was arrested and sent to prison for several years. Another interpretation is that the song addresses the inequalities in society, where the poor are disproportionately affected by the law. Despite its heaviness, the song is also seen as a commentary on the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to find beauty and meaning even in dark times.
Line by Line Meaning
Good mornin' judge, what may be my fine?
Furry Lewis is addressing the judge and asking what his fine might be.
Fifty dollars eleven twenty-nine
The amount of the fine that Furry Lewis has been given by the judge.
Arrest me for murder and I ain't never harmed a man
Furry Lewis claims that he has been arrested for murder despite not ever having caused harm to anyone.
Arrest me for forgery and I can't even sign my name
Furry Lewis claims that he has been accused of forgery, but he is not capable of signing his name.
Some got six months, some got a solid year
Some people have been sentenced to shorter prison terms than Furry Lewis and his partner.
But me and my partner, we got lifetime here
Furry Lewis and his partner have received a life sentence for their crimes.
If I just had-a known, goin' to get so long
Furry Lewis regrets not knowing that he would receive such a long sentence.
Boy if I had-a known, I was goin' to get so long
Furry Lewis again expresses regret for not knowing he would receive such a lengthy sentence.
Some Western country would have been my home
If Furry Lewis had known he would receive a life sentence, he would have tried to escape and go to a Western country.
I know my baby, she don't know I'm here
Furry Lewis's girlfriend does not know that he has been imprisoned.
Boy that baby, she don't know I'm here
Furry Lewis repeats that his girlfriend is unaware of his current situation.
If she do, she sure don't feel my care
Even if Furry Lewis's girlfriend knew he was imprisoned, she would not care about his well-being.
Contributed by Camden P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Helio Cardoso
My favourite blues album ... <3 <3 <3
ridovem
"If I'd have known I was gonna get so Long, some western country would have been my home." You said it, buddy! ^..^