Johnny The Drunkard- Asa Martin (KY) 1930 REC
[Asa F. Martin (June 25, 1900 – August 15, 1979) recorded Johnny The Drunkard (GE 16A9T) as by Asa Martin (vcl w/gtr and mandolin) on 01-14-1930 in Richmond, Indiana. It was released on Gnt7207 and under Martin's pseudonyms in July 1930 (Spt 9642) as by Emmett Davenport and in March 1930 (Champion 15922) as by Jesse Coat.
Martin was an American an old time singer and guitarist from Kentucky who was closely associated with renowned fiddle player Doc Roberts, for whom he played rhythm guitar. Roberts played mandolin on this recording. Martin's pseudonym on the Champion label was Jesse Coats.
It's possible (but not yet confirmed) that this is a cover of the Carson Robison version recorded only months earlier titled "John the Drunkard." Martin, as a recording artist, would have had access to records. His version sounds less traditional and more arranged as Robison's version would sound. [Listen; Asa Martin Johnny The Drunkard]
Asa Martin's version appears as "John Came Home" Vern Smelser on Art Rosenbaum's Art of Field Recording Vol. 2.
R. Matteson 2013]
Johnny The Drunkard- Asa Martin; Winchester, KY. Recorded on Jan. 14, 1930. Mandolin by Doc Roberts.
1. John came home the other night
As drunk as he could be,
Found a hat upon the rack
Where his hat ought to be. [1]
Now wifie dear, come over here,
Explain this thing to me?
Whose hat is that upon the rack,
Where my hat ought to be?
You silly fool, go back to school,
You're blind and cannot see,
For that is the frying pan
My mother sent to me.
I've travelled far I've travelled near,
A thousand miles or more
But a frying pan with a lining,
I never did see before.
2. John came home the other night
As drunk as he could be,
Found a jacket on the chair,
Where his coat ought to be.
Now wifie dear, come over here,
Explain this thing to me?
Whose jacket is that upon the chair,
Where my coat ought to be?
You silly fool, you drucken fool,
So drunk you cannot see,
For that is a bathing suit,
My mama sent to me.
I've travelled far I've travelled near,
A thousand miles or more
But a bathing suit with a fancy vest,
I never have seen before.
3. John came home the other night
As pickled as could be,
Saw a shoe lay the floor
Where his shoe ought to be.
Now wifie dear, you better fear,
If you don't come to me
And tell me about the shoe,
Where my shoe ought to be?
You drunken bum, you silly bum,
You're blind and cannot see,
For that is a cuspidor [2]
My mama sent to me.
I've travelled far I've travelled near,
A thousand miles or more
But a cuspidor-- with a rubber heel,
I never have seen before.
John came home the other day
As cuckoo as could be,
Saw a head upon the couch
Where his head ought to be.
Now wifie dear, come over here,
Explain this thing to me?
Whose head is that upon the couch,
Where my head ought to be?
You dirty fool, you drunken fool,
So drunk you cannot see,
For that is a cabbage head,
My mama sent to me.
I've travelled far I've travelled near,
A thousand miles or more
But a cabbage head -- with a moustache,
I never did see before.
Footnotes:
1. ought to= ort ta
2. a large usually metal bowl for spit, especially chewing tobacco.