Roosevelt Sykes - 44 Blues download song

44 caliber revolvers did exist at that time. They used .44 Special cartridges. The .44 Magnum cartridges didn't exist until 1955.

Arguing about the history of a gun when there are notes to be listening to... shame.

Man I love this song. This by far the best version I have heard hands down.

hey doc, sorry so late to reply. (exploding teeth!) hey I appreciate your 'thinking' of googling or Wick-ening the phrase 55.. SMART! FINALLY it does make some sense. I knew the song was 'one of those that really do it well..' But now I have an idea of the lingo that explains the title. We have to support local blues artists, its not all boo-hoo and the crowds are not rowdy or just drunk. All ages, cool crowds. Jimi, SRV, Muddy, Albert King, Robben Ford, - so many styles

cool, very interesting gun update. I have a S+W, +am an old railroader myself. The number 44, if in reference to a railroad, could be the route of the train- like 'that box car is on the 44,' which was, say Chgo-Atlanta-express. Could be the number on the locomotive-they sure dont have plates.- I expect if one searched historical steam locomotives, 'the 44' may be in a museum. U never know. My road has some old, expensive/showpiece/ honeys! Really great info, thanks, I really treasure it.

Can you imagine Sykes performing this to his usual audience - I suspect he is applying some restraint in his vocals and piano for the recording. Either way - it certainly works. As to the first verse I always imagine one of those pistols with an enormous barrel! Great call on the 'little cabin' being a prison cell I'd never thought of it like that but it certainly fits. Thanks for uploading this.

This sounds like delta blues played on a piano in the style of RJ

Thank you for your answer. I thought it was THAT old..but the 44 handgun was not around until something like the 50's.. I love the song, I GET the shoulder being sore, and I wonder what sort of 44 he spoke of back then. maybe it was a mean ole shotgun. I am no expert.. but that song 'hit' me in the face when I was 44 and scraping the bottom.. after a wreck. You know blues.. truly are for people who have them or know them.. and a whole lot of us 'DO.' LOVE IT, one of the classics 4 sure

I don't know the original author. 44 is a blues standard in 1920 that Sykes recorded in 1929.

The .44 Magnum was not around, but .44 caliber revolvers and rifles were around in the late 19th century.

He's playing simultaneously in three different rhythms!

Lord I walked all night long with my forty four in my hand Lord I walked all night long with my forty four in my hand I've been looking for my woman and I found her with another man I wore my forty four so long, you know it made my shoulder sour Well I wore my forty four so long, until it made my shoulder sour After I do what I want to I'm gonna wear my 44 no more Bye bye Well I got a little cabin and my cabin is number forty four Well I got a little cabin and my cabin is number forty four When I wake up every morning I can hear the wolf scratching my door

From Wikipedia : The differing interpretations of the phrase 'forty-fours' — the train number 44, the .44 caliber revolver and the 'little cabin' on which was the number 44, presumably a prison cell.

Yes Roosevelt is callin out an "Engine" as the 44 also. But the cabin ..seeming to be the last of the 44's, sure could be a cell. Great minds adding it up here. Makin it so real. Always.

I totally agree with you! :-)

Great. An early "gangsta" song! I remember seeing / hearing Roosy many times, also took pix at Ann Arbor (see cover of Delmark CD and cassette). The rolling piano music is terrific! Q. Did Big Maceo ever record same song?