I Love You, Mary Lou (1927)
Lonnie Johnson · Complete Recorded Works 1925-32, Vol. 2-(1926-27) [1991]
I'd even give you the moon above, hoping that you may come to love.
And now I'd give you the sun that shines.
Now I've made you happy, and why do you leave me cryin'?
Although it is true, my heart belongs to you.
But bye bye, sweet Mary Lou.
My lonesome days beginning tomorrow, and my poor heart will be left full of sorrow.
Please come back dear, every day seems like a year.
I love you but yet you don't care.
Although you've got my heart your way, I'll make you learn to love someday.
Come back Mary, you know I love you true.
May God bless you, sweet Mary Lou.
About I Love You, Mary Lou (1927)
Lonnie Johnson's "I Love You, Mary Lou" stands as a cornerstone of early blues, originally recorded in 1927. As a pivotal figure in the Chicago blues scene, Johnson helped define the genre's emotional depth and rhythmic complexity during the late 1920s. This specific recording, often featured on compilations of his complete works, showcases his signature slide guitar technique and vocal delivery that blended gospel influences with urban blues sensibilities. The song reflects the personal and social struggles of the era, capturing the raw energy of the jazz and blues transition period. Johnson's contributions to the music of the 1920s and 30s established a foundation for future generations of blues artists, making this track a significant example of his enduring legacy in American music history.