Kweskin released six albums and two greatest hits compilations on Vanguard Records between 1963-1970; Jim Kweskin's America on Reprise Records in 1971; and four albums on Mountain Railroad Records between 1978-87.
Rag Mama
Jim Kweskin Lyrics
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Says I'm going uptown hat in my hand
Looking for the woman ain't got no man.
Just as well be looking for a needle in the sand
Looking for a woman ain't got no man.
Oh, rag.
Rag.
Said do that rag.
Oh, rag.
Oh, rag.
Rag.
Said do that rag.
Says I wouldn't have thought my gal would treatin' me so.
Love another man stay at my back door.
Mind, mama, what you sow.
You got to reap just what you sow.
Oh, rag.
Rag, now.
Rag, baby.
Rag, mama.
Said do that rag.
Oh, rag.
Do it a long time.
Rag.
Said do that rag
Now if you'll get you one woman better get you two,
One for your buddy other one for you.
Got me a wife and a sweetheart too.
Wife don't love me my sweetheart do.
Oh, rag.
Rag, baby.
Rag.
Rag, mama,
Said do that rag.
Oh, rag.
Rag.
Rag, baby.
Said do that rag.
[Instrumental break]
[Scat verse]
Oh, rag.
Oh, rag, baby.
Rag, mama.
Said do that rag
Oh, rag.
Oh, rag, baby.
Rag, mama.
Said do that rag.
Now rag, baby
[Instrumental break]
Oh, rag.
Oh, rag.
Rag, mama.
Said do that rag.
Said my gal hollered murder I ain't raised my hand.
Pistol in my pocket black jack in my hand
Took my gal under the willow tree.
Ought to hear her hollering, "Don't murder me!"
Oh, rag, shh...
Oh, rag.
Rag, now, baby,
Rag.
Said do that rag.
Oh, rag.
Oh, rag, baby.
Rag again.
Said do that rag.
[Instrumental break]
Spoken: Rag, now, gal
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band's "Rag Mama" appears to be a blues song about the search for a woman who doesn't have a man. The song's narrator is wandering the city, hat in hand, searching in vain for a woman who isn't already taken. He laments that it's as challenging to find an unattached woman as it is to find a needle in the sand. The refrain, "Oh, rag. Rag. Rag. Said do that rag," dominates the song, and it is an invitation to dance.
In the second verse, the singer accuses his partner of cheating on him with another man who he claims stays at his back door. He reminds her that she will reap what she sows. In the third verse, the singer advises the listener that if they're going to have a woman, they may as well have two, one for themselves and one for their buddy. He confesses to having a wife and a sweetheart, with his mistress being the one who genuinely loves him. Finally, "Rag Mama" concludes with a dark verse about murder, with the singer admitting to having a pistol in his pocket and a blackjack in his hand. He takes his lady under the willow tree and she begs for mercy.
Line by Line Meaning
Says I'm going uptown hat in my hand
I'm heading uptown with my hat in my hand.
Looking for the woman ain't got no man.
I'm searching for a woman who doesn't already have a partner.
Just as well be looking for a needle in the sand
It's going to be just as hard as finding a needle in the sand.
Oh, rag.
I'm feeling the rhythm of the rag.
Says I wouldn't have thought my gal would treatin' me so.
I never thought my girlfriend would do me wrong.
Love another man stay at my back door.
She's seeing another man while still being with me.
Mind, mama, what you sow.
Mother knows best, what goes around comes around.
You got to reap just what you sow.
You'll receive what you give in this life.
Now if you'll get you one woman better get you two,
If you're going to have a woman, better have a backup plan.
One for your buddy other one for you.
One for a friend, the other for yourself.
Got me a wife and a sweetheart too.
I have a wife and a lover.
Wife don't love me my sweetheart do.
My wife doesn't love me, but my lover does.
Said my gal hollered murder I ain't raised my hand.
My girlfriend accused me of something I didn't do.
Pistol in my pocket black jack in my hand
I have a weapon on me, ready to defend myself.
Took my gal under the willow tree.
I took my girlfriend under a willow tree.
Ought to hear her hollering, "Don't murder me!"
She's begging for her life.
Spoken: Rag, now, gal
Let's keep the rhythm going, girl.
Contributed by Parker F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.