Organ
Grinder Blues
Words
& Music:
Clarence
Williams
I didn't
know this classic, now I do.
Thanks, Stephen Kermode!
Ethel Waters & Victoria Spivey are but two of the artists who
covered this barrelhouse tune.
While the song ostensibly refers to the hurdy-gurdy players you'd see on
the street in early 20th century America, the lyrics are probably a
double-entendre.
E
A
E
Organ
grinder, organ grinder, organ grinder, play that melody.
B
A
E
Take your
organ, grinder, and grind some more for me.
Grind it
north, grind it north, grind it north, grind it east or west.
But when you
grind it slow, that's when I like it best.
Organ
grinder, organ grinder,
You don't
have to pass your hat around any more.
'Cause
you're just the grinder I've been waitin' for.
Organ
grinder, organ grinder, your sweet music seems to ease my mind.
It's not
only your organ, but it's the way you grind.
Organ
grinder, organ grinder,
Organ
grinder, you've found that sweet lost chord.
Start
grindin', and grind your room & board.
Organ
grinder, organ grinder,
Organ
grinder, don't tell me you're through.
'Cause if
you want a little intermission,
Then mama's
gonna grind a while for you.
Organ
grinder, organ grinder,
Organ
grinder, I will give you anything you choose.
If you'll
just cure my organ, of those grinding blues.