Josephine Cameron: Music

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)
• MP3 short clip, lo-fi play (modem)

This song is one of the earliest blues that anyone knows about. The first copyrighted version of the song was under the title “Loveless Love,” and the words and music are attributed to W.C. Handy. There is a gravity, a complicated history of broken-heartedness in this song, that is somehow amplified by the simplicity of the words and music. In short, that’s why I chose it. For the intensity that is gained by the plainest words, the simplest, most universal melody.

Careless love, oh careless love
Careless love, oh careless love
Careless love, oh careless love
Oh can’t you see what careless love can do

Cried last night and the night before
Cried last night and the night before
Cried last night and the night before
I’ll cry tonight and then I’ll cry no more

Careless love, oh careless love
Careless love, oh careless love
Careless love, oh careless love
Oh can’t you see what careless love can do

Oh how I wish that train would come
How I wish that train would come
How I wish that train would come
And take me back to where I come from

Careless love, oh careless love
Careless love, oh careless love
Careless love, oh careless love
Oh can’t you see what careless love can do

I’ve never seen a sunset with you
I’ve never seen a sunset with you
I’ve never seen a sunset with you