Born in Appomattox County, Virginia, United States, his professional career started at age 35, when he was noticed by Victor Records, and went to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1927 to record several records. These records sold moderately well, and Victor decided to take Jordan to New York in 1929, for two more sessions. He recorded very few known tracks in his career, but a few remain intact.
He died in Lynchburg in June 1952. His song, "Church Bells Blues" was later recorded by Ralph Willis.
Recorded August 16, 1927, Charlotte, North Carolina:
39819-1. "Church Bells Blues." Victor unissued
39819-2. "Church Bells Blues." Vi 21076
39820-1. "Pick Poor Robin Clean." Victor unissued
39820-2. "Pick Poor Robin Clean." Vi 20957
39821-2. "Cocaine Blues." Vi 21076
39822-1. "Traveling Coon." Vi 20957
Recorded November 18, 1929, New York City:
57703-1. "My Gal's Done Quit Me." Vi V38564
57704-3. "Won't You Be Kind?" Vi V38564
[edit]Recorded November 19, 1929, New York City
57705- . "If I Call You Mama." Vi 23400
57706-2. "Look Up, Look Down." Victor unissued
57707- . "Tom Brown Sits in His Prison Cell." Vi 23400
57708-2. "That's A Plenty." Victor unissued
Traveling Coon
Luke Jordan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He made his living stealing people's chickens and everything he's seein'
Policeman got straight behind this coon, and it certainly made him take to a road
There never was a passenger train that run so fast that shine didn't get on board
He was a travelin' man, he was a travelin' man
He was the travelin'est man, finest was in the land
He was a travelin' man, he's known for miles around
They sent this travelin' coon to spring one day, to fetch a pail of water
I think the distance from the house to the spring, sixteen miles and a quarter
The coon went there and he got the water all right, come back, stubbed his toe, and fell down
He run back home and got another pail, he caught the water 'fore it hit the ground
He was a travelin' man, he was a travelin' man
He was the travelin'est man, finest was in the land
He was a travelin' man, he was known for miles around
He never give up, no, he wouldn't give up 'til the police shot him down
This travelin' coon thought he'd hobo Titanic, just beside the ocean blue
He saw that ice berg comin', right off the Titanic he flew
All the passengers got excited on the ship and said, "Now, ain't that shine a fool?"
But when that iceberg struck the Titanic, he shootin' craps in Liverpool
He was a travelin' man, he was a travelin' man
He was the travelin'est man, finest was in the land
He was a travelin' man, he was known for miles around
He never give up, no, he wouldn't give up 'til the police shot him down
They caught this travelin' coon at last, and sentenced him to be hung one day
All the jurymans asked the shine, "What you have to say?"
He begged all the jurymans, "Will y'all all bow down in prayer?"
He crossed his legs and he winked one eye, he went straight up through the air
He was a travelin' man, he was a travelin' man
He was the travelin'est man, finest was in the land
He was a travelin' man, he was known for miles around
He never give up, no, he wouldn't give up 'til the police shot him down
Luke Jordan's song "Traveling Coon" tells the story of a trickster and thief who makes his living by stealing chickens and everything else he sees in Tennessee. The coon is always on the move, never staying in one place for too long. He is constantly on the run from the police and has even managed to outsmart them by jumping on a passing train. Despite being a criminal, the coon is known to be one of the finest and most notorious travelers in the land.
The song continues with a few humorous anecdotes about the coon's travels, including a story about him walking sixteen miles to fetch a pail of water and then catching the water before it hit the ground after he tripped and spilled some of it. Another story tells of how he managed to jump off the Titanic just before it hit an iceberg, much to the amusement of the other passengers. Despite his many remarkable feats, the coon's luck eventually runs out when he is caught by the police and sentenced to hang. However, he manages to escape his fate by magically disappearing into thin air.
Overall, "Traveling Coon" is a lighthearted song that tells the tale of a clever and elusive trickster. The song showcases Luke Jordan's ability to tell a story through music and to capture the humor and wit of the rural South.
Line by Line Meaning
Folks, let me tell you about a travelin' coon, his home is down in Tennessee
Luke Jordan is about to share a story about a man named the 'traveling coon' who comes from Tennessee.
He made his living stealing people's chickens and everything he's seein'
The 'traveling coon' survives by stealing anything he can get his hands on including people's chickens.
Policeman got straight behind this coon, and it certainly made him take to a road
Once the 'traveling coon' knew the police were after him, he became a fugitive.
There never was a passenger train that run so fast that shine didn't get on board
The 'traveling coon' is known to be very fast and skillful and has escaped the police multiple times.
He was a travelin' man, he was a travelin' man
The 'traveling coon' is always on the move.
He was the travelin'est man, finest was in the land
The 'traveling coon' is known far and wide for his skills.
He was a travelin' man, he's known for miles around
The 'traveling coon' has a reputation that has spread very far.
He never give up, no, he wouldn't give up 'til the police shot him down
The 'traveling coon' never gave up his life of crime, even after being pursued by the police.
They sent this travelin' coon to spring one day, to fetch a pail of water
One day, the 'traveling coon' was sent to get a pail of water from a spring.
I think the distance from the house to the spring, sixteen miles and a quarter
The distance from the house to the spring was quite far, sixteen and a quarter miles.
The coon went there and he got the water all right, come back, stubbed his toe, and fell down
The 'traveling coon' successfully collected the water, but on the way back he stubbed his toe and fell.
He run back home and got another pail, he caught the water 'fore it hit the ground
He went back home to get another pail and managed to catch the water before it spilled on the ground.
This travelin' coon thought he'd hobo Titanic, just beside the ocean blue
The 'traveling coon' once tried to sneak onto the Titanic like a hobo, beside the ocean.
He saw that ice berg comin', right off the Titanic he flew
The 'traveling coon' saw the iceberg coming and jumped right off the Titanic.
All the passengers got excited on the ship and said, "Now, ain't that shine a fool?"
The passengers on the ship laughed at the 'traveling coon's' foolishness.
But when that iceberg struck the Titanic, he shootin' craps in Liverpool
However, when the iceberg hit the Titanic, the 'traveling coon' was gambling in Liverpool.
They caught this travelin' coon at last, and sentenced him to be hung one day
The 'traveling coon' was finally caught and condemned to be hanged.
All the jurymans asked the shine, "What you have to say?"
The jury asked the 'traveling coon' if he had any last words to say.
He begged all the jurymans, "Will y'all all bow down in prayer?"
The 'traveling coon' requested that the jury pray together.
He crossed his legs and he winked one eye, he went straight up through the air
Just before he was hanged, the 'traveling coon' crossed his legs and winked, then suddenly disappeared into the air.
Contributed by Alice L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@wombatcarebundanoon942
Supernatural powers! ?..and a great song too!Luke Jordan was a legend! "Finest was in the land!"