Information & Selected Comments About The 19th Century & 20th Century Bawdy Folk Character Deacon Jones (with lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information and comments about the bawdy* African American folk character Deacon Jones. These comments are from the Mudcat folk music forum.
*"Bawdy" = "raunchy", "risque'", "indecent", "dirty"  

The content of this post is presented for folkloric and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/09/louis-jordan-his-tympany-five-deacon.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five -"Deacon Jones" (YouTube video & discussion thread comments)".

****

SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT DEACON JONES FROM MUDCAT FOLK MUSIC FORUM

From  https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=98843  Lyr Req: Deacon Jones

WARNING: This discussion thread contains a considerable amount of profanity. The only "curse" word that is quoted in this pancocojams post is given with dashes in place of some letters.

These selected comments are given in chronological order with the oldest comments given first. The numbers are given for referencing purposes only.  Additional comments-including lyrics- are found in that Mudcat discussion thread. 

1. "Deacon Jones is a long-lived folk figure in the south, a churchgoing stalwart who is always up for preachin', prayin', dicin', drinkin' and mowin' down the women.

He is famously mentioned in "Alabama Jubilee," and called "The black sky-pilot of old Dixie Land" in Skidmore and Walker's 1917 "It Takes a Long Tall Brown Skin Gal to Make a Preacher Lay His Bible Down." But those songwriters were working off an earlier and much raunchier tradition.

The Mississippi Shieks have a verse:

Old Deacon Jones he was a preachin' king,
They caught him round the house tryin' to shake that thing."

But the Shieks couldn't have gotten away with putting the original "Deacon Jones" on a record. Making it hard now, of course, to reconstruct the song."
-GUEST,Bob Coltman, Date: 09 Feb 07

**
2. "About all I remember is one line from one of the 'acceptable' songs, "Alabama Jubilee" (American Memory), "You ought to see Deacon Jones when he rattles them bones."

A song composed by G. P. Lampard back in 1878 is in American Memory, "Deacon Jones Collection or the Church Sexton." Again, not too good.

Paul Laurence Dunbar, in his Lyrics of Lowly Life, 1896, included his "Deacon Jones Grievance." Everybody used to know Deacon Jones.

We seen to have lost much of the Deacon Jones repertoire. Nothing in Randolph-Legman, Cray, or Stag Lines."
-Q (Frank Staplin), Date: 09 Feb 07 - 02:10 PM

**
3. "Hello Q,

 Yes, I scoured through Talley, Newman I. White, Dorothy Scarborough and both books by Odum and Johnson, but the elusive Deacon doesn't seem to appear in any of them. I have the feeling that this song was never cleaned up for polite company as "Uncle Bud" sometimes was.

"Deacon Jones" seems to be on the same pattern as "Uncle Bud," though I can't put together any very helpful lines. On the sound sample referenced above, the best I can do sounds like:

DEACON JONES

[ My honey when he get the wall, ?? ]
Bet a hundred dollar he could f--k* 'em all,

 Cho:   Deacon Jones, Deacon Jones, Deacon Jones, Deacon Jones.

 ...

Jack off the one and put the turn [?] to two, Cho

Got anywhere ... [ ? ] to him,
F--k* the devil any ... [ ? ] slim. Cho"
-GUEST,Bob Coltman, Date: 09 Feb 07
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in these lyrics.

**
4. "Though Louis Jourdan's estate apparently has a policy of not releasing his "Deacon Jones" lyrics -- perhaps because he made it as a successful mainstream R&B man and wanted to leave his less creditable songs behind him -- these lyrics do appear in an article about him, which calls it "some of his greatest ethnic performances."

They are, of course, cleaned up, and excerpted. Can anyone quote his version in its complete form?

DEACON JONES

As sung by Louis Jourdan (part only)
Who gets all the chicken breast
And leaves all the gizzards for the rest?
Deacon Jones, yes yes yes ...

And when a sister's feeling blue,
Who's always there to woo?
Deacon Jones, oh yeah ...

And before any of the church money is spent,
Who takes out his usual ten percent?
You guessed it ... Deacon Jones.

That at least gives you a notion what the general shape of it is. Bob
-GUEST,Bob Coltman, Date: 09 Feb 07

** 
...5. "Meanwhile, I found a clip of Louis Jordan (correct this time; above I inadvertently spelled him like the French actor) doing the opening of his "Deacon Jones." This makes it clear that his version is recomposed as a pop song -- so beyond this, I think we can eliminate his version as of any interest to this thread. Still, for completeness' sake, and because it's fun, here is his take on the good(?) Deacon:

 DEACON JONES

 As performed by Louis Jordan

(Spoken) Good evening, brothers and sisters, I'm very sorry to announce that Deacon Jones will not be present at the services today. Had a slight accident. But he wants everybody to be happy -- because when you're happy, that's what counts. Brothers and sisters and sisterettes, Deacon Jones sends his deepest regrets --

(Sung)

To the members of the flock who are new around here,
There is something 'bout the Deacon that I want to make clear:

Who's honored and respected? (Band members:) Deacon Jones!
Who's SO unaffected? (all) Deacon Jones,
When the sinner's moanin' low,
Who will share his tale of woe,
(All:) Lordy Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!

Who's so handsome and goodlookin'? Deacon Jones!
Who can smell a rooster cookin'? Deacon Jones!
Who gets all the chicken breast,
An' leaves the giblets for the rest?
(clip fades here)
--GUEST,Bob Coltman, Date: 10 Feb 07

**
6. "Here's my transcription from the video at YouTube [Pancocojams editor's note: The word "YouTube is given as a hyperlink to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmEtJ1gLVTk&ab_channel=nipsipone ]

DEACON JONES
As sung by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

Brothers an' sisters an' sisterettes,
Deacon Jones sends his deepest regrets.
To the members of the flock who are new around here,
There's somethin' 'bout the deacon that I want to make clear:

Who's honored an' respected? (Deacon Jones!)
Uh-huh, an' who's so kind an' unaffected? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' when a sinner's moanin' low,
Who will listen to his tale of woe?
(Lordy, Lordy, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

Now, who's handsome an' good lookin'? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' who is it that can smell a rooster cookin'? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' who gets all the chicken breast,
An' leaves the giblets for the rest?
(Lordy, Lordy, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

CHORUS: Oh, Deacon Jones! (Deacon Jones!)
Oh, Deacon Jones! (Deacon Jones!)
Oh, Lordy, Lordy, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!
Oh, Deacon Jones! (Deacon Jones!)
Deacon Jones! (Deacon Jones!)
Oh, Lordy, Lordy, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!

Now, who is loved by all his neighbors? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' who is it that will help you with your labors? (Deacon Jones!)
Uh-huh, he'll help you beat the rug,
An' also help you find a cider jug.
(Lordy, Lordy, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

Now, who's in charge of the contributions? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' who attends to the distributions? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' before any of the dough is spent,
Who is it that takes out his ten percent?
(Lordy, Lordy, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

CHORUS

Now, who attends the fraternal meetin's? (Deacon Jones!)
That's right, an' who extends all the hearty greetin's? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' who's in charge of all the dues,
An' who's the only one with shoes?
(Lordy, Lordy, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

Now, who's the first to church on Sunday? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' who's the last at work on Monday? (Deacon Jones!)
That's right, an' all the balance of the week,
Who is it that goes fishin' down the creek?
(Lordy, Lordy, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

CHORUS
- Jim Dixon, 30 May 11 

**
7. "Oh, this is a fun one, Bob. Jim did a great job on the transcription, but I found an entirely different "Deacon Jones" recording on Spotify. It's a pretty good recording had trouble understanding part of it [especially the first verse about singin'], but I'll do what I can:

DEACON JONES
As sung by Louis Jordan (March 3, 1944)

[spoken] Fellas, I'm very sorry that Deacon Jones couldn't get here for this session, but he told me to tall all of youse guys to be happy; 'cause when you're happy, that's what counts.

Brothers an' sisters an' sisterettes,
Deacon Jones sends his deepest regrets.
To the members of the flock who are new around here,
There's somethin' 'bout the deacon that I want to make clear:

Now, who's good for sister's singin'? [???] (Deacon Jones!)
That's right, that's right, and who is it that will keep her phone a-ringin'? (Deacon Jones!)
And when she's left all alone at night,
Who is it that will make her see the light?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

Now, who's loved by all the congregation? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' who does the sisters come to for consolation? (Deacon Jones!)
Yes, and when a sister's feelin' blue,
Who is it that consoles her in her pew?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

CHORUS:
Hey, Deacon Jones! (Deacon Jones!)
Oh, Deacon Jones! (Deacon Jones!)
Oh, Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!
Oh, Deacon Jones! (Deacon Jones!)
Deacon Jones! (Deacon Jones!)
Oh, Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!

Now, who's the country's greatest lover? (Deacon Jones!)
That's right, brother, and who is it that will make all other cats take cover? (Deacon Jones!)
Uh-huh, and when your gal is leavin' you,
Now, tell me, who is she goin' to?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

Now, who does the sisters pray for? [???] (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' who does all the husbands' labor? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, an' when a husband sets a trap,
Who is it that always beats the rap?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

CHORUS

Album title: Complete Jazz Series, 1943-1945

Fun, but certainly a lot tamer than what Bob was looking for...

Jo Stafford sang this song with the Pied Pipers, but her version is very tame.
-Joe Offer, 31 May 11

**
8. "That same album has another recording from October 4, 1943, that is half from Jim's version and half from the 1944 version I transcribed.

DEACON JONES
As sung by Louis Jordan (October 4, 1943)

[spoken] Good evening, brothers and sisters, I'm very sorry to announce that Deacon Jones will not be present at the service today. He had a slight accident, but he wants everybody to be to be happy; because when you're happy, that's what counts.

Brothers an' sisters an' sisterettes,
Deacon Jones sends his deepest regrets.
To the members of the flock who are new around here,
There's somethin' 'bout the deacon that I want to make clear:

Who's honored an' respected? (Deacon Jones!)
Now, who's so unaffected? (Deacon Jones!)
When a sinner's moanin' low,
Who will share his tale of woe?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

Now, who's handsome an' good lookin'? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, who can smell a rooster cookin'? (Deacon Jones!)
The good old deacon. Now, who gets all the chicken breast,
An' leaves the giblets for the rest?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

CHORUS:
Deacon Jones! (Oh, Deacon Jones!)
Deacon Jones! (Oh, Deacon Jones!)
Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!

Now, who will keep a sister singin'? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, who will also keep her phone a-ringin'? (Deacon Jones!)
Yes, yes. And when she's left all alone at night,
Who is it that will help her see the light?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

Now, who's loved by all the congregation? (Deacon Jones!)
Yes, yes, brother. And who give them consolation? (Deacon Jones!)
Mm-hmm, when a sister's feelin' blue,
Who is it that consoles her in her pew?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

CHORUS:
Deacon Jones! (Oh, Deacon Jones!)
Deacon Jones! (Oh, Deacon Jones!)
Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!

Now, who's the country's greatest lover? (Deacon Jones!)
Yes, yes, who makes all the other cats take cover? (Deacon Jones!)
Uh-huh, and when your gal is leavin' you,
Now, just tell me, who is she goin' to?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

Now, who takes up all the contributions? (Deacon Jones!)
Yes, yes, an' who attends to the distributions? (Deacon Jones!)
An' before any of the dough is spent,
Who is it that takes out his ten percent?
(Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!)

CHORUS:
Deacon Jones! (Oh, Deacon Jones!)
Deacon Jones! (Oh, Deacon Jones!)
Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!

Deacon Jones! (Oh, Deacon Jones!)
Deacon Jones! (Oh, Deacon Jones!)
Lordy, Lord, hallelujah,
Lordy, Lord, hallelujah,
Lordy, Lord, hallelujah, Deacon Jones!


Album title: Complete Jazz Series, 1943-1945
-Joe Offer, 31 May 11

**
9. "FARE THEE WELL DEACON JONES

As recorded by Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra

Gather round me, children, while I tell the news.
Hates to tell you 'bout it 'cause I gets the blues.
No one saw the thing that happened but my wife,
But you can bet she saw the deacon when he lost his life.

Fare thee well; Deacon Jones has passed away. (Fare thee well.)
Fare thee well; Deacon Jones has passed away. (Fare thee well.)
Elder Brown, go ring the bell.
Deacon Jones fell in the well.
Fare thee well; Deacon Jones has passed away. (Fare thee well.)

Go and tell Deacon Jones fell in the well (in the well).
Go and tell Deacon Jones fell in the well (in the well).
He was down there drinkin' juice
When the bucket it broke loose.
Fare thee well, Deacon Jones; fare thee well.

You will find Deacon Jones down in the well, in the well.
You will find Deacon Jones down in the well, in the well.
He fell in last night at nine
And his dice jumped in behind.
Fare thee well, Deacon Jones; fare thee well; fare thee well.

Listen, brother Sammy, did you bring your horn?
'Course you got to serenade us while we mourn.
Ev'rybody, bow your heads and start to pray.
Brother Sammy's gonna blow it till the judgment day.

We took the congregation, led 'em to the well,
Led 'em to to the spot where the deacon fell.
The deacon stuck his head from a tree up high,
Said, "I would 'a' been dead but the well was dry."
-Jim Dixon, 16 Feb 14

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.