Blind Willie McTell - Writin' Paper Blues

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I wrote you a letter, mama
Put it in your front yard
I wrote you a letter
Put it in your front yard
I would love to come and see you
But your good man's got me barred

You wrote me a letter
To come back the Newport noon
You wrote me a letter, mama
Come back the Newport noon
To leave the town
And don't spread the news

I wrote you a letter, mama
Sent you a telegram
I wrote you a letter, mama
Sent you a telegram
Not to meet me in Memphis
But meet me in Birmingham

Um, hear me weep and moan
Um, hear me weep and moan
Don't you hear my pleading?
Hear me grieve and groan

If I could get me one more drink of booze
If I could get me one more drink of booze
I guess it would ease these ol' writin' paper blues

I caught a freight train special
My mama caught a pass'ger behind
Caught a freight train special
My mama caught a pass'ger behind
Said you can't quit me papa
There ain't no need in tryin'

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Blind Willie McTell

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Blind Willie McTell, born William Samuel McTier in 1898, was a pioneering blues guitarist known for writing enduring standards such as “Statesboro Blues” and “Southern Can is Mine”. Despite being born blind in one eye, he lost his sight completely by the time he was a young man. McTell showed musical prodigy at a young age, excelling in playing harmonica and accordion before transitioning to the guitar, specifically the acoustic 12-string which became his signature instrument.

After his mother passed away in the 1920s, McTell was left to pursue a life as a wandering songster, recording for Victor Records in 1927 under various pseudonyms before settling on the stage name Blind Willie McTell. His laid-back style, tenor voice, and unique 12-string guitar sound made him a standout in the blues and ragtime music scene. Despite some success with recording deals, McTell's career was cut short due to poor sales, complications with diabetes, and ongoing struggles with alcoholism.

However, McTell continued to busk and in 1956, a record store manager in Atlanta discovered him and convinced him to record a few songs, which were later released as the Last Session in 1962. By 1957, McTell had found a new calling as a Baptist preacher at Mt. Zion Church in Atlanta, but sadly, he suffered a stroke in 1959 and passed away at the age of 61.

After his death, Blind Willie McTell's influence continued to grow, with modern rock artists such as The White Stripes, The Allman Brothers Band, and Bob Dylan paying tribute to him in their work. A blues bar in Atlanta is named in his honor, showcasing local blues musicians every night. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his life, Blind Willie McTell's music and legacy have endured, cementing his status as a legendary figure in the blues genre.