Trombone Cholly Lyrics

Bessie Smith

I know a fool that blows a horn,
He came from way down south,
I ain't heard such blowin' since I was born
When that trombone's in his mouth!


He wails and moans,
He grunts and groans,
he moans just like a cow!
Nobody else can do his stuff,
For he won't teach them how!


Oh Cholly, blow that thing,
That slide trombone;
Make it talk, make it sing,
Lawdy, where did you get that tone?
If Gabriel knows how you could blow,

He'll let you lead his band, I know!
Oh Cholly, blow that thing,
Play that slide trombone.


Oh Cholly, make it sing,
That slide trombone,
You'll even make a king
Get down off his throne;
And he would breaka leg, I know,
A-doin' the charleston while you blow!
Oh Cholly Green, play that thing,
I mean that slide trombone!




Note - written about Charlie Green, a famous trombobe player
in the 1920's