In a bittersweet departure, Tommy Dodson, as bawdy house blues baron Spats Dollar, bids us adieu with a fond toodle-oo.
As a matter of fact, “Toodle-oo” (Link below) is the title of the song we last hear in this saga about a struggle between the pitchfork and the halo. Church musician Thad Johnson is the other personality half of this split holy/unholy duo.
That is the story of the, “Great Depression” -- one big, split personality. Otherwise law-abiding, society folk, behind the barricaded doors of speakeasies, swilling gin illegally supplied by otherwise law-abiding businessmen.
That is the story of Thad Johnson’s and Spats Dollar’s , “Blues,
Booze and Attitude,” now changing latitude with a toodl-oo:
TOODLE-OO
When you’re feelin’ lonely—
Can’t get ‘hold of yourself,
Just think of me only,
Take your heart off the shelf.
Think of when we parted—
That little tune they played.
That should get you started,
Not let you be afraid.
Toodle-oo, my honey,
Got the watch on you.
The day you need money,
Let the news come through.
We’ve been tight forever,
So it’s nothing sad.
Keep on stayin’ clever,
And just don’t get mad.
Toodle-oo, toodle-oo, toodle-oo to you,
Keep a big smile on your face.
Toodle-oo, toodle-oo, toodle-oo to you,
Keep ol’ Trouble in his place.
Toodle-oo, toodle-oo, toodle-oo to you,
When ol’ Trouble comes around,
Toodle-oo, toodle-oo, toodle-oo to you,
Run his ass right out of town.
How the bells did ring.
Toodle-oo, my baby;
How our hearts did sing.
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