“Stavin Chain”

Description

"Stavin Chain he's dead and gone, Left me to carry the good work on, Evrybody ought to be like Stavin Chain." The singer complains about river life, misses his woman, and says that everyone should be like Stavin Chain. (His sexual exploits are described.)

Supplemental text

Stavin Chain
  Complete text(s)

          *** A ***

From Mary Wheeler, Steamboatin' Days, pp. 16-17. "From the singing of an old
Negro who had been a roustabout on the Joe Fowler."

Stavin Chain he's dead an' gone,
Lef' me to carry the good work on,
Evuhbody ought to be lak Stavin Chain.

I'm goin' down the rivuh, goin' to carry a few sacks,
I'll see my woman befo' I git back,
Evuhbody ought to be lak Stavin Chain.

Ashes to ashes an' dust to dust,
Can't hardly tell what woman to trust,
Evuhbody ought to be lak Stavin Chain.

Up Mr. Butcup an' down Mr. Bear,
Looks mighty dirty, but there's a good man there,
Evuhbody ought to be lak Stavin Chain.

Cross references

• cf. "Poor Howard" (lyrics)

Recordings

• Anonymous singer, "Stavin' Chain" (on Unexp1)
• Zuzu Bollin, "Stavin' Chain" (Torch 6912, n.d.)

References

1. MWheeler, pp. 16-17, "Stavin Chain" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. ST MWhee016 (Full)
3. Roud #9994
4. BI, MWhee016