Lizzie Douglas was born on June 3, 1897 in Algiers, Louisiana. She was the eldest from her 13 other siblings. Her parents Abe and Gertrude Douglas nicknamed her the Kid during her early childhood. At the age of 7 she and her family moved to Walls, Mississippi, which was just south of Memphis. The following year after she moved, she received her first guitar for Christmas. She began to practice and learn how to play both the banjo and the guitar and it was seen that she had a great talent as a musician. When she first began performing she did not use her first name Lizzie, but played under the name Kid Douglas. When she was 13 years old she ran away from her home to live on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. She would play on street corners for most of her teenage years and would eventually go home when she ran out of money. She began to get noticed singing and playing guitar on the street corners. This brought an opportunity for her to tour, travel, and play with the Ringling Brothers Circus. Eventually she came back to Beale Street and got consumed in the blues scene. At the time, women, whiskey, and cocaine were high in demand with the people and places she would be around. She made her money by playing guitar, singing, and prostitution, which was not uncommon at the time. Most of the female performers were prostitutes because of financial desperation. It was said “She received $12 for her services-an outrageous fee for the time.” (Memphis Minnie Biography,1). She was known as a woman that was very strong and that could take care of herself.
She had been married three times in her life; first with Will Weldon sometime in the 1920s, then Joe McCoy (1929–1934), and finally to Earnest Lawlars (a.k.a. Little Son Joe), in 1939. She and McCoy would perform together during their marriage. During this time, a talent scout from Columbia Records discovered her. When she and McCoy went to record in New York, she decided to change her name to Memphis Minnie. During the next few years she and McCoy released many singles and duets. She released the song “Bumble Bee” in 1930, which ended up being one of her favorite songs, and led her to a recording contract with the label Vocalion. Under this label, they continued to produce recording for two years, one of them being “I’m Talking About You”, which was one of her more popular songs. They soon decided to leave Vocalion and move to Chicago. She and McCoy introduced country blues to the urban environment and became very well known.
Memphis Minnie continued to have success throughout the years recording under many different labels like Decca Records and Chess Records. Some believe her fame was the reason for her divorce with McCoy due to jealousy and resentment towards her. She remarried after to Earnest Lawlars (a.k.a. Little Son Joe) and began recording material with him. She became very well known in the blues industry and ended up being one of the most famous blues performers of all time, competing with both men and women.
She continued to record throughout the 50’s, but her health began to become a problem for her. She retired from her musical career and ended up going back to Memphis. “Periodically, she would appear on Memphis radio stations to encourage young blues musicians. As the Garons wrote in Women With Guitar, 'She never laid her guitar down, until she could literally no longer pick it up.'” She suffered a stroke in 1960, which caused her to be bound by wheelchair. The following year her husband, Earnest “Little Son Joe” Lawlars died. She had another stroke a short while after and eventually ended up in the Jell Nursing Home. She could no longer survive on her social security income so magazines wrote about her and readers sent her money for assistance. On August 6, 1973 she died of a stroke. She was buried in an unmarked grave at the New Hope Cemetery in Memphis. A headstone paid for by Bonnie Raitt was erected by the Mt. Zion Memorial Fund on October 13, 1996 with 35 family members in attendance including her sister, numerous nieces (including Laverne Baker) and nephews. Her headstone is marked:
Lizzie "Kid" Douglas Lawlers
aka Memphis Minnie
The inscription on the back of her gravestone reads:
"The hundreds of sides Minnie recorded are the perfect material to teach us about the blues. For the blues are at once general, and particular, speaking for millions, but in a highly singular, individual voice. Listening to Minnie's songs we hear her fantasies, her dreams, her desires, but we will hear them as if they were our own."
After her death some of her old work began to surface and some of her songs were featured on blues compilations. She was one of the first 20 blues artists that were inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame.
Tricks Ain't Walkin' No More
Memphis Minnie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stealing and robbing is taking place
Because tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I'm going to grab somebody if I don't make me some dough
I'm going to do just like a blind man, stand and beg for change
Tell these tricking policemen change my second nameBecause tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I've got to make no money, I don't care where I go
I'm going to learn these walking tricks what it's all about
I'm going to get them in my house and ain't going to let them out
Because tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I can't make no money, I don't care where I go
I got up this morning with the rising sun
Been walking all day and I haven't caught a one
Because tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I can't make a dime, I don't care where I go
I got up this morning, feeling tough
I got to calling my tricks and it's rough, rough, rough
Because tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
Tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
And I have to change my luck if I have to move next door
In the song "Tricks Ain't Walking Anymore" by Memphis Minnie, the lyrics paint a picture of hard times and desperation as the singer reflects on the challenges they are facing due to the lack of opportunities for making money. The mention of how work has become scarce and people are resorting to stealing and robbing highlights the desperation and sense of struggle prevalent in the singer's environment. The repeated refrain "tricks ain't walking no more" suggests that the usual means of survival or making a living through deceptive or manipulative actions are no longer effective, indicating a shift in circumstances that has left the singer feeling the pressure to find alternative ways to earn money.
The mention of standing and begging for change like a blind man emphasizes the sense of vulnerability and humility that the singer is willing to adopt in order to survive in these difficult times. The reference to tricking policemen to change the singer's name suggests a desire to escape scrutiny and evade the consequences of their actions, further underscoring the desperation and sense of unease the singer is experiencing. The urgency to make money, regardless of the means, reflects the harsh reality of struggling to make ends meet in a challenging environment where traditional avenues of earning a living have become unviable.
The singer expresses a determination to take matters into their own hands by learning the "walking tricks" and keeping them close, suggesting a readiness to adapt and perhaps resort to more unconventional or risky methods in order to make a living. The repetition of the phrase "tricks ain't walking no more" serves as a stark reminder of the changing dynamics and the need to be resourceful and resilient in the face of adversity. The singer's resolve to make money by any means necessary, even if it means taking drastic actions, reflects a sense of urgency and survival instincts that are born out of the challenging circumstances they are facing.
The lyrics portray a sense of frustration and desperation as the singer recounts their unsuccessful attempts to make money, despite their efforts and perseverance. The mention of walking all day without success in catching any tricks highlights the disillusionment and sense of defeat that can come from struggling constantly and not seeing any tangible results. The final lines convey a sense of resignation and determination to change one's luck, even if it means making drastic changes or taking risks. The repeated refrain of "tricks ain't walking no more" serves as a somber refrain of the harsh reality the singer is grappling with, emphasizing the challenges and uncertainties that come with trying to survive in a tough and unforgiving environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Times has done got hard, work done got scarce
In difficult times, finding work has become scarce
Stealing and robbing is taking place
Because of the lack of opportunities, illicit activities are on the rise
Because tricks ain't walking, tricks ain't walking no more
Prostitution is no longer a viable option for income
And I'm going to grab somebody if I don't make me some dough
I will resort to desperate measures if I don't find a way to make money
I'm going to do just like a blind man, stand and beg for change
I may have to beg for money like a blind person
Tell these tricking policemen change my second name
I want to avoid being caught by the police for my actions
And I've got to make no money, I don't care where I go
I need to find a way to earn money, regardless of the consequences
I'm going to learn these walking tricks what it's all about
I will figure out the ins and outs of this risky profession
I'm going to get them in my house and ain't going to let them out
I will control the situation and not let the authorities intervene
I can't make no money, I don't care where I go
My financial situation is dire, and I am willing to take risks
I got up this morning with the rising sun
Starting a new day with hope and determination
Been walking all day and I haven't caught a one
Despite my efforts, I have not been successful in my endeavors
And I can't make a dime, I don't care where I go
Unable to earn any money, I am indifferent to my location
I got up this morning, feeling tough
Starting the day with a sense of resilience
And I have to change my luck if I have to move next door
I need to turn my fortunes around, even if it means making drastic changes
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: LUCILE BOGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sherrard5492
Louise Bogan song recorded in 1930; recorded by Memphis Minnie a year later. Hard times for sure.
@jerrytime3645
is she not saying “the chain walking no more” ??
@Wobbz9413
Tricks aint walkin.
@martintanksley3561
interesting TV 14 stuff 3 1/2 stars....
@jerrytime3645
“what’s tv 14 stuff” mean? i could barely understand the lyrics they’re pretty muffled but not bad for 1930’s