Fishing Blues | |
Cover: | HenryThomas-FishingBlues.jpg |
Type: | single |
Artist: | Henry Thomas |
Released: | 1928 |
Recorded: | Chicago, June 13, 1928 |
Genre: | Texas blues |
Length: | 2:44 |
Label: | Vocalion |
Prev Title: | Bull-Doze Blues |
Prev Title2: | Old Country Stomp |
Prev Year: | 1928 |
Title2: | Texas Worried Blues |
Next Title: | Arkansas |
Next Year: | 1928 |
"Fishing Blues" (also "Fishin' Blues") is a blues song written in 1911 by Chris Smith, who is best known for "Ballin' the Jack".[1] "Fishing Blues" was first recorded in 1928 by "Ragtime Texas" Henry Thomas on vocals and guitar with the introduction and breaks played on quills, a type of panpipe. It is Roud Folk Song Index No. 17692.[2]
The song ostensibly describes the pleasures of catching, cooking, and eating your own fish, particularly catfish. The refrain includes: