The song, “Workhouse Blues,” was written by Mattie Mae Thomas.

She calls it “a made-up song, just about bein’ in prison, prison alone.”

What else do you say about this that the sound of Mattie Mae’s voice & lyrics don’t already say?

I just wanted to see where they led . . . .

Source Recording:

“Workhouse Blues” Mattie Mae Thomas

recorded by Herbert Halpert in the sewing room of the Women’s Camp,

Mississippi State Penitentiary, Parchman, MS – May 31, 1939

Musicians:

Alan Berliant – bass

Richie Davis – electric guitar

Jim Gailloreto – alto & tenor saxes, clarinet

Larry Glazier – cello

Pete LaBella – violin

Curt Morrison – electric guitar

Steve Mullen – piano, keyboards, synth, sound design & drum programming

John Rice – acoustic slide guitar & lap steel

Rob Stone – harmonica

Jeff Thomas – drums & percussion

Lead vocals sung by Mattie Mae Thomas (harmonies created by Steve Mullen)

“Parchman, 1939”

(lyrics)

‘Workhouse Blues,’ a made-up song

in the empty belly, black man

in the year 19 hundred and 9

I was a little young hobo

empty belly from all up and down the line

just about bein’ in prison

bein’ in prison, prison alone

prison, just about bein’ in prison

I rambled through the state, baby

all up and down the line

I wrassled with the lions, black man

with the lions on the mountain high

I pulled they hair out, black man

hair out, strand by strand

snakes & spiders, lord, began to bite my poor heart

but, let me tell you, baby

they crawled away and died

I wrassled with the hounds, black man

hounds of hell all day

I squeeze them so tight

until they fade away

I swim the blue sea

with the mountains on my back

I mean I conquered all the lions

and I even turned they power back

just about bein’ in prison,

prison, prison alone

lions, with the lions on

with the lions on the mountain high

a made-up song