Linda Lu

Lyrics: Ray Sharpe
Music: Ray Sharpe

Played by the Grateful Dead at a rehearsal in 1979 but never performed live. Not to be confused with the song "Linda Lou" recorded by Bill Monroe among others. This is the truncated version that Weir sang, so far as I can make it out:

Well they call my baby Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name was Linda Lu
Well they call my baby Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name was Linda Lu
Since my baby left me
I don't know what in the world I'm gonna do

I got a real bad, real bad, real bad
I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming and it's true
I got a real bad, real bad, real bad
I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming and it's true
...
What to do

I'm gonna marry that girl next Saturday night
give her my loving for the rest of my life
From now on my rovin' days are through
And it's all because of that chick
Linda Lu

Well they call my baby Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name was Linda Lu
Well they call my baby Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name was Linda Lu
Since my baby left me
Well I don't know what in the world I'm gonna do

Well they call my baby Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name was Linda Lu
Well they call my baby Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name was Linda Lu
If you ever leave me
I don't know what in the world I'm gonna do
If you ever leave me, girl
I don't know what in the world I'm gonna do
I don't know what in the world I'm gonna do
This is the original version recorded by Ray Sharpe in 1959:
Well now, they call my baby Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name was Linda Lu
Well now, they call my baby Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name was Linda Lu
She's so fine, fair and pretty
You never know what my baby's gonna do
My Linda Lu

When she goes strolling down the street
All the cats, all the cats, all the cats turn to look around
Well now, she'll give everybody the eye
You never know, you never know, what my baby's gonna put down
Everybody always tell me I got
The cutest little girl in town

I'm gonna marry that girl next Saturday night
Take her home for the rest of my life
From now on my rovin' days are through
And it's all because of that chick
Linda Lu

Linda Lu, Linda Lu, tell me, tell me, tell me
What are you gonna do
I had a real bad dream last night, honey
You said, you said, you said that we were through
Well if you ever leave me
You're gonna break my poor heart in two
My Linda Lu
The song recorded by Bill Monroe and written by Carl Butler has lyrics:
In the state of West Virginia among the peaceful rolling hills
I met a mountain maid with eyes of blue
Golden hair so soft and curly and her lips were like the dew
She was the queen of West Virginia and her hame was Linda Lou

Linda Lou, Linda Lou, can't you hear me calling you
Calling like a lonesome dove, my Linda Lou
When the moon is in the blue and the stars are shining too
Can't you hear my lonely heart calling for you, Linda Lou

I recall the night I met her how I held her hand in mine
I recall the night we kissed and said adieu
Many miles may separate us if I should cross the ocean blue
My heart is still in West Virginia with my darlin' Linda Lou

Linda Lou, Linda Lou, can't you hear me calling you
Calling like a lonesome dove, my Linda Lou
When the moon is in the blue and the stars are shining too
Can't you hear my lonely heart calling for you, Linda Lou
Just to be really confusing, there's another, different Linda Lou written and recorded by Hank Snow:
Linda Lou, honest true
I'm just wild about your lovely eyes of blue
For your smile, I'd walk miles
For my honey child I'm glad to be with you

As long as you are by my side I have no cause to pine
I point you out with so much pride
And tell the world you're mine
Linda Lou, honest true
I'm in love with you alone sweet Linda Lou

I've waited a long time for you, darlin'
But never knew exactly what you'd be
Now that you have come to me my darlin'
You're a wee bit of heaven to me

Linda Lou, honest true
You're the first in every thought I have each day
You're so sweet, and so neat
That I thank the Lord for sending you my way
Some day you'll know the way I feel deep down within your heart
To be with you when shadows steal and know we'll never part
Linda Lou, honest true
I'm in love with you alone sweet Linda Lou



 


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