View Full Version : Working on Salty Dog Blues
doublestop
Dec-02-2004, 6:17pm
I have been working on "Salty Dog Blues". What on earth is a "Salty Dog"?
The author of the original Salty Dog Blues, Mississippi John Hurt, was asked that once and said "To tell you the truth, I never thought about it". I've also read other descriptions that would get me banned from this board if I mentioned them here so I won't. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
GVD
Here's Tom Paley (http://listserv.brown.edu/archives/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0108c&L=fiddle-l&F=&S=&P=15106) tackling this question back when I asked it on fiddle-L a number of years ago.
David M.
Dec-02-2004, 10:33pm
And to think that that song was on the Andy Griffith show http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
The author of the original Salty Dog Blues, Mississippi John Hurt, was asked that once and said "To tell you the truth, I never thought about it".
Somehow I get the feeling that Mr. Hurt wasn't being candid.
Somehow I get the feeling that Mr. Hurt wasn't being candid.
You and me both. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
GVD
Mr. Hurt might'a been a little "crazy"..., but he wasn't stupid... - "discretion is the better part of valor" - hee.. hee.. Ya' ever wonder how the mucical genre of "rag time" came about...??!!!... All you musical historians - Carry on... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
steve in tampa
Dec-03-2004, 9:58am
Gin and grapefruit juice in a salt rimmed glass.
Moose
Dec-03-2004, 10:07am
I'm in Delaware - I'm gonna' stop at "happy hour" and ask for a "salty dog"...!?? - I'll let you-all know how it goes... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
mingusb1
Dec-03-2004, 10:41am
I once performed it with a veteran bluegrasser and he announced (to the mostly family-oriented) crowd that a Salty Dog was a "steady date".
And now I tell people it is "steady date"...
Just realizing how subtle/diplomatic that description was...
Z
Slim Pickins
Dec-06-2004, 1:29pm
Salty Dog was one of the most requested songs for Lester Flatt
Isn't a Salty Dog a Seaman (Sea-Man)?
Moose Posted
I'm in Delaware - I'm gonna' stop at "happy hour" and ask for a "salty dog"...!?? - I'll let you-all know how it goes...
Well how'd it go Moose? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
GVD
The bar-person(maid!) had no idea what I was talkin' about - an' looked at me kinda' funny. But I took into consideration that (a.) I work in a college town ;(b.)The place was packed with college students!! - AND (c.) I'm "over 50". All-in-all it was a "learning" experience. After I told her how to "mix" it..., I drank it - it was good - nice buzz - I said to myself...: "this one's for you...Lester.. ; RIP and thanks for the years of wonderful music". Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
duuuude
Dec-06-2004, 4:44pm
I had read somewhere that a Salty Dog was also a popular stuffed animal of the era, kinda like a teddy bear thing. But then I've also read the term being used alot as a euphimism for alot of nefarious things.
John Flynn
Dec-06-2004, 4:56pm
There is some guidance at this link:
http://blueslyrics.tripod.com/blueslanguage.htm#salty_dog
Isn't a Salty Dog a Seaman (Sea-Man)?
If you change the spelling and the context then yes it is. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
GVD
mandroid
Dec-15-2004, 1:16am
Tripod link seems to require some dodgy commitment to download something else, which one wonders about viriii, and the like ..
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Critical Path
Dec-27-2004, 11:05am
In the context of the song, the singer wants to be a "salty dog" instead of being "your man." It seems to me that it's someone who wants to have sexual access without the commitment to be a regular mate.
A slang dictionary I own lists "crude, uncouth, earthy" as synonyms, as in "salty language."
A related question is : what does "don't let your deal go down" mean?
Dr Spx
A related question is : what does "don't let your deal go down" mean?
I don't know for sure but I've always thought that should be Mark Martin's sponsor's theme song.
GVD
ManjoMan
Dec-28-2004, 10:56am
Yes, on the Andy Griffith show, "Charlene Darling" sang
Salty Dog. WOW!