"Mr. Tyree" (AkA "Please Give Me My Pardon To Go") is an unidentifed prison blues song which dates back to the 1930s.
The song seems to be sung about the complex mind of the prisoner performing, who had been sent to prison on unknown charges, begging a person named "Mr. Tyree" to let him out of the Bellwoods Prison Camp.
History[]
The song was originally performed by unidentified prisoners at Bellwood Prison Camp, Atlanta, Georgia, recorded by Lawrence Gellert, who was known for collecting the spiritual/blues songs from African-American people.
On August 27th 2012, user lupine22 uploaded the song to YouTube, mentioning its origin on the description. No other information, such as where they got it from, was given by them.
On February 10th 2021, user fuzzyallan reuploaded the song to their channel with more detailed background description and the entire lyrics.
As the article on a website called Antiwar Songs says, it features an African-American singer and an African-American guitarist.
Lyrics[]
Tyree, Mr Tyree, Please give me my pardon to go
Aint got a damn whip, but I want this sight no mo
Mr Tyree, please give me my pardon to go
If you let me out of Bellwoods
I won’t return no mo
Early this morning, just about the break of day
Tyree gives me a pick and shovel, had to pass my time away
Mr Tyree, please give me my pardon to go
If you let me out of Bellwoods
I won’t return no mo
Tyree, Tyree, don’t whip my woman so hard
Tyree, Tyree, don’t whip my woman so hard
And she’s nothing but a piano player
Plays like she never had a job
Early this morning, bout the break of day
Take my wife lord, and carried on her way
Cause it was Tyree, please don’t be so mean
Lord you’re the worst old prison guard
Worst that I’ve ever seen
Said nice Judge, oh jury, don’t be so hard
I’m nothing but a true man, never had no cookie Jar
Mr Tyree, Please give me my pardon to go
Now if you just let me out of Bellwoods
I won’t return no mo
Early one morning, when the blues kept moanin down
Saved me baby, and stayed with me all night long
Mr Tyree, Please give me my pardon to go
And I did that be out of Bellwoods
I won’t return no mo
Trivia[]
- Lawrence is also known for recording another song called "White Folk Ain't Jesus" from unknown performers.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Original YouTube upload.
- Fuzzyallan's YouTube upload.
- SpikeytheCactus' "The Evolution Of Lostwave [Vol. 1]". [1]
- Lawrence Gellebert Collection page on Indiana University Libraries' official site.
- Antiwar Songs on the song.
Notes[]
- ↑ Played between 7:00 and 7:20.