Expert: Mel Priddle - 5/28/2008

Question
As a teenager in the mid/late 60's there was a song that had the lyric: "If you don't believe I'm leaving, you can count the days I'm gone."

I would love to know the artist and title of this song so I could hear it again.

thanks

Answer
Hello Archer,

The only song that I can think of that included that particular lyric "Milk Cow Blues" (aka "Milkcow Blues Boogie"). Originally recorded in 1934 by James Kokomo Arnold, probably the best known version was the one that Elvis Presley recorded in 1954.

The song was also recorded by Bill Monroe, Ray Charles, Ricky Nelson, The Beatles, Aerosmith, Glen Campbell, Eddie Cochran, Commander Cody & His Lost Airmen, Sleepy John Estes, The Flamin' Groovies, The Kinks, Sleepy LaBeef, Mungo Jerry, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Gene Vincent, Billy Swan, Bob Wills, and many, many others.

With literally dozens and dozens of different versions of this song, it would be impossible to guess at which one you may have heard in the mid/late 60's.

Here are the lyrics as Elvis recorded them:

Oh well, I woke up this morning,
And I looked out the door
I can tell that old milk cow
By the way she lowed

(SPOKEN)
(Hold it fellahs, that don't move me)
(Let's get real, real gone for a change)

Well, I woke up this morning
And I looked out the door
I can tell that that old milk cow
I can tell the way she lowed

Now, if you've seen my milk cow
Please drive her on home
I ain't had no milk or butter
Since that cow's been gone

Well, I tried to treat you right,
Day by day
Get out your little prayer book
Get down on your knees and pray
For you're gonna need
You're gonna need your lovin' daddy's help someday
Well, then you're gonna be sorry
For treating me this way

Oh, let's milk it, Yeah!

Well, believe me, don't that sun look good going down
Well, believe me, don't that sun look good going down
Well, don't that old moon look lonesome
When your baby's not around

Well, I tried everything to get along with you
I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna quit my crying, I'm gonna leave you alone
If you don't believe I'm leaving, you can count the days I'm gone
I'm gonna leave
You're gonna need your loving daddy's help someday
Well then, you're gonna be sorry you treated me this way


Glad to be of help. Cheers.........Mel.