Blues Chase Up A Rabbit

(a.k.a. "Blues Jumped A Rabbit", "Rabbit Blues", Jackrabbit Blues", "Cool Colorado" & "Rabbit-Foot Blues")

Words & Music:

Traditional American

Most people know this from either the 1960s Judy Henske version from her 1964 album "High Flying Bird" or from the WWI-era Blind Lemon Jefferson recording (which refers to wartime shortages). Both are given here. There are many, many more covers & variations that go back to the early 1900s but none that give a "definitive" songwriter.

1. Judy Henske version:

When the blues chase up a rabbit,

Little rabbit run one solid mile.

Poor little rabbit cry like a newborn child.

'Way out in cool [alt: "cruel"] Colorado

Where the lonesome hobo squall.

I chase my baby up cruel Colorado's wall.

I wish I was a headlight

On some lonesome southbound train

I'd follow you baby, wouldn't be back again

Some like black or yellow, others white or tan.

I love my baby,

She loves another man.

When the blues chase up a rabbit

Little rabbit run one solid mile

Poor little rabbit cry like a newborn child

2. Blind Lemon Jefferson version:

Blind Lemon Jefferson's version is "Rabbit Foot Blues," recorded about December, 1926. Verses 4-6 refer to World War I rationing and fighting.

G G7

Blues jumped a rabbit and he ran a solid mile.

C7 G

Blues jumped a rabbit, and he ran a solid mile.

C7 G C7 D7

The rabbit sat down and cried just like a little child.

Well, it seem like you're hungry, why don't you come and lunch with me?

I'm gonna stop these married-lookin' wimmin from worryin' me.

I have Uneeda biscuits and a half a pint of gin.

The gin is mighty fine, them biscuits is a little too thin.

Baby, tell me something about meatless and wheatless days.

This not being my home, I don't think I should stay.

Well, I cried for flour; meat, I declare was gone.

People feed me cornbread, I just can't stick around home.

Got a knapsack, baby, and I'm gonna get a submarine.

Gonna get that Kaiser by 19 hundred 17.