Stuart Cumberpatch | Banty Rooster Blues

An instrumental version of Banty Rooster Blues (originally recorded by Charlie Patton on Friday 14 June 1929), played by Stuart "Marshcat" Cumberpatch (on a 1929 National style 3 tricone) and Chris Frost (on a 1930 National style 2 tricone). The guitars featured in the photographs are: Chris's 1937 National Trojan, Stuart's 1930 National style 4 tricone and, of course, Charlie Patton's Stromberg-Voisinet Concert guitar. I'm gonna buy me a banty, put him at my backdoor I'm gonna buy me a banty, put him at my backdoor So when he see a stranger a-comin', he'll flap his wings and crow What you want with a rooster, he won't crow 'fore day? What you want with a rooster, he won't crow 'fore day? What you want with a man, when he won't do nothin' he say? What you want with a hen won't, cackle when she lay? What you want with a hen won't, cackle when she lay? What you want with a woman, when she won't do nothin' I say? Ah, take my picture, hang it up in Jackson wall Ah, take my picture, hang it up in Jackson wall Anybody asks you "What about it", tell 'em "That's all that's all" My hook's in the water, and my cork's on top My hook's in the water, and my cork's on top How can I lose, Lord, with the help I got I know my dog anywhere I hear him bark I know my dog anywhere I hear him bark I can tell my rider, if I feel her in the dark. © 2012 Merula Productions