Leona Williams, “Achin’ Hearted Blues”

March is Women’s History Month. NY1920s always centers women’s history; this month we’ll do so a bit more emphatically.

One hundred years ago today … Leona Williams recorded “Achin’ Hearted Blues” at Columbia Records, whose studios were located in the Woolworth Building.

Click here to listen to “Achin Hearted Blues.”

The song was written by Clarence Williams, Spencer Williams , and Clarence Johnson. The record was released in June under the artist name Leona Williams and her Dixie Band.

We have posted about Columbia Records before, for example in features about Bert Williams and Al Jolson.

Lyrics to “Achin Hearted Blues,” courtesy Sheetmusicsinger

Listen folks, it’s no joke, I’m blue as I can be

Lost my man, my lovin’ man today, he went away

And left me weepin’ like a willow tree, I’m lonesome, gee!

Got those doggone achin’ hearted blues, ’bout my baby

Want someone to tell my worried news

I’ve lost the bestest man on earth, I’m sad and weary now

To me my lovin’ man is worth, his weight in gold, I vow

If I could get him back I’d be so good, to my daddy

Treat him right just like a good pal should, indeed I would

My conscience is whippin’ me, I’m down-hearted as can be

(Left me daddy, that ain’t all, you’re the cause of my downfall)

I’ve learned a lesson, I’m confessin’, I’ve got those achin’ hearted blues

Got the blues, got the blues, my head is bended low

Misery is takin’ hold of me, oh, woe is me

My lamp of love is burnin’ down I know, I’m worried so

– Jonathan Goldman, March 25, 2022

TAGS: blues, jazz, women’s history, entertainment, theater