As far as I can tell, this raggy blues ditty is about abject poverty and hunger. It’s transcribed in my wildly unpopular book (albeit the more spare Luke Jordan version). Interestingly, the good folks at Mel Bay decided that portions of the song were too filthy to print, and expurgated them without telling me. You can’t say anything any more without people taking it dirty…

That said, I did a little cleanup of my own. I removed the ‘N’ word reference, replaced it with ’rounder’, and rhymed it with ‘flounder’. Amazingly, I am still yet to win a MacArthur Foundation Genius award for my work.

Recorded for the Paramount label in Grafton, Wisconsin, probably in March 1931. Tangleweed has recorded this song for possible inclusion on our as-yet-untitled third CD.

Pick Poor Robin Clean (MP3)
Courtesy of archive.org

More from Geeshie Wiley:
Geeshie Wiley playing Last Kind Words

This is a work of almost indescribable beauty, a vocal performance with a striking depth of feeling and guitar accompaniment that is equally remarkable. As far as I know, her entire recorded output consists of six sides for the Paramount label, and, while each is to be treasured, her Last Kind Words is the most transcendent. It is one of the finest records you will ever have the privilege to hear.

Recorded in Grafton, Wisconsin, for the Paramount label, probably in March, 1930.

Last Kind Words (MP3)
Courtesy of the archive.org