The Mythological Blues

Words and music by Ernest Rogers, 1919.

In this day and time when we’re on the go,
We’re apt to think that the ancients were slow,
But just jump back ten-thousand years,
And it beats anything the modern man hears.

To think the sights of the modern day
Ought to carry all the latest news,
But believe me boy, they had a time
When they played the mythological blues.

Old Hercules pullin’ all the caveman stuff
Treatin’ all the women powerful rough,
And when it came to speed
That Mercury boy was way out in the lead.

Cyclops with that one big eye
Vamped all the women ‘till they thought they’d die.
Of all the sights saw Jupiter spot ‘em
Seein’ sweet Venus doin’ Black Bottom.

Oh take me back ten-thousand years
When they played the mythological blues!

They say the ladies’ fashions then,
Pleased the most exacting men.
They were snappy, then as now.
There wasn’t much of them, and how!

Argus was a lucky bird,
As the folks today surmise.
Think of what he must have seen
Lookin’ through a hundred eyes.

Hercules pullin’ all the caveman stuff
Treatin’ all the women powerful rough,
And when it came to speed
That Mercury boy was way out in the lead.

Old Cyclops with that one big eye
Vamped all the women ‘till they thought they’d die.
Of all the sport, just gimme Hector.
He gave fair Helen wine and nectar—N-E-C-T-A-R—nectar.

Oh take me back ten-thousand years
When they played the mythological blues—
Played the mythological blues!

Collected from Victor 21361, as sung by Ernest Rogers, recorded February 23, 1928.