Dead Songs in Depth

    
Deep Elem Blues
w&m: traditional
LASF: http://www.whitegum.com/songfile/DEEPELEM.HTM
  

    
Deep Elem Blues 
Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional

Well if you go down to Deep Elem, put your money in your shoes
Women in Deep Elem got them Deep Elem blues
Chorus:
Oh sweet mama, your daddy's got them Deep Elem blues
Oh sweet mama, your daddy's got them Deep Elem blues

Once I had a girlfriend, she meant the world to me
She went down to Deep Elem, now she ain't what she used to be
[chorus]

When you go down to Deep Elem, have a little fun
Have that ten dollars ready when the policeman comes
[chorus]

Once I knew a preacher, preached the bible through and through
Went down to Deep Elem now his preaching days are through
[chorus]

When you go down to Deep Elem, put your money in your pants
The women in Deep Elem they don't give a man a chance
[chorus]

When you go down to Deep Elem, put your money in your socks
The redheads in Deep Elem, they'll put you on the rocks
[chorus]

 
  

    
According to Wikipedia:

Deep Ellum (a corruption of "deep Elm Street") is an arts and
entertainment district near downtown in east Dallas, Texas (USA). It
lies directly east of the elevated I-45/US 75 (unsigned I-345) freeway
and extends to Exposition Avenue, connected to downtown by, from north
to south, Pacific, Elm, Main, Commerce, and Canton streets. The
neighborhood is north of Exposition Park and south of Bryan Place.
  

    
I was just there in March, surprised at how dead it is at night.

Wonder if it was ever spelled Elem by anyone besides the Dead?
  

    
Yes, it was spelt Deep Elem on some of the first recordings, eg by the
Shelton Brothers and the Prairie Ramblers in the 1930s.
  

    
i'd love to hear one fo those really old recordings.
  

    
Given that it is derived from Elm, I think Elem is a pretty good way
to spell it. 
  

    
agreed - just sayin' they totally do not spell it that way there now
  

    
You mean it is not called Elm St?

I have seen the song spelled "Deep Ellum Blues" several times.
  

    
no, it is still Elm St, I believe, but the signage (it's an official
neighborhood) spells it Deep Ellum.
  

    
Aha!
  

    
>i'd love to hear one fo those really old recordings.

I've emailed you the Pure Prairie Ramblers version
  

    
which i just listened to. thanks! it's such a cool old tune and i loved
hearing it like that.

i remember hearing it from random folkies long before i heard the GD do it.
  

    
Have your ten dollars ready for ~~ELECTRIC~~ Deep Elem!

https://open.spotify.com/track/4UPBUG95mgEIjzm8fKnHkw?si=8c2860ee25b34aab
  

    
Yes.  That one is the best.