He Up And Died
The lyric “He Up And Died” is from Jerry Jeff Walker’s masterful song “Mr. Bojangles.” In the song Jerry Jeff is speaking of Mr. Bojangles’ dog and continues the heartbreak with the next line: “And after twenty years he still grieves.” For me, those are some of the more poignant lines in that or any song. It always brought a tear to the corner of my eye, but I’m a sucker for such musical sentiment.
Jerry Jeff Walker “Up And Died” Friday October 24th at the age of 78 at a hospital in Austin, Texas. Although Walker was a native New Yorker and began his career with the other folkies who migrated to Greenwich Village in the early 1960s, he then ended up hitchhiking all over … eventually landing permanently in Austin and was an early catalyst for the musical renaissance that was Austin, Texas in the latter part of the 70s.
I was living in Austin during that period. It was nearly impossible for me to go see any live music, at any venue, without Jerry Jeff eventually wandering in (with or without guitar in hand) and if not 3 sheets at least 1 and half sheets to the wind … and in due course finding himself up on stage to sit in and sing a song or three. It didn’t matter if the act was well-established or a newcomer to the Austin music scene, somehow Jerry Jeff would show up.
Thankfully, Jerry Jeff would eventually manage to give up liquor and drugs with the help of his wife Susan and continued to sing “Bojangles” and his acclaimed versions of ” LA Freeway” & “Desperados Waiting For A Train,” written by his good friend Guy Clark. I believe I own most all of his albums and have played the heck out of the self-titled “Jerry Jeff Walker” 1972 MCA~LP and his “It’s A Good Night For Singing” 1976 album also on MCA.
Here’s a link to Jerry Jeff singing “Mr. Bojangles” accompanied by The Lost Gonzo Band (Note: the bass player is Gary P. Nunn songwriter & singer of “London Homesick Blues” which became the theme song for “Austin City Limits” for many years.. and the steel guitar player is Lloyd Maines, father of Natalie Maines lead singer for The Dixie Chicks … now just The Chicks):
….and an interesting interview with an older Jerry Jeff reminiscing about writing that song and other memories is available (Click Here)
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Jay…so what is your take on Nitty Gritty version of Mr B vs. Jerry Jeff. I know you liked that monumental Will the Circle be Unbroken bluegrass album.
October 28, 2020 at QZVX
Jay Hamilton says:
Most every songwriter hopes to have a signature song. Jerry Jeff wrote lots of songs over the years but none had the impact of “Mr B”. Among his other tunes, my favorite was “Charlie Dunn” about the crafter of handmade boots at Capitol Saddlery in Austin, Texas. – “Her Good Lovin’ Grace” must have been of particular significance to Jerry Jeff because he included it on 2 albums (“Jerry Jeff Walker” MCA•1972 & “Jerry Jeff” Elektra Records•1978). ~ However, beyond his own songwriting, I felt Jerry Jeff’s major musical contribution was making us aware, or reminding us of, other fine Texas songwriters he showcased on his LPs, including Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, Keith Sykes, Rodney Crowell and Gary P. Nunn.
October 28, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
In the long run was the bigger hit by Walker or Nitty Gritty Dirt Band? That is the version I best recall from playing the song on radio.
October 28, 2020 at QZVX
Louis says:
Mr Bojangles is a song I still play often on my guitar.
RIP Jerry Jeff Walker
October 28, 2020 at QZVX
jamie says:
…one of a number of great pop/rock tunes in 3/4-time.
Topping my list of favorite 3/4-time songs: the waltz classic “Manic Depression”!
October 26, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
I have a Texas Tornados CD that I like a lot…live including Freddie Fender.