Salty Dog Blues

"Salty Dog Blues" is an early 1900sfolk song. It is in the public domain. It has been recorded by blues, jazz, country music, bluegrass groups and other styles. The oldest recordings of the song credit Papa Charlie Jackson, who adapted the song directly from the African-American traditional for Paramount and for Broadway in 1924. According to Jas Obrecht, "Old-time New Orleans musicians from Buddy Bolden’s era recalled hearing far filthier versions of 'Salty Dog Blues' long before Papa Charlie’s recording." Similar versions were recorded by Mississippi John Hurt and Lead Belly.

The Morris Brothers version of the lyrics of the chorus of the song go: Let me be your Salty Dog / Or I won't be your man at all / Honey let me be your salty dog. According to Richard Matteson:

Recordings and performances

The song has been recorded by Papa Charlie Jackson (1924), Clara Smith (1926), Freddie Keppard’s Jazz Cardinals (1926), the McGee Brothers (1927), The Allen Brothers (1927, 1930, 1934), Kokomo Arnold (1937), the Morris Brothers (1938, 1945), Flatt and Scruggs (1950),Blind Willie McTell (1956), Mississippi John Hurt (1963), Skip Battin (1973), and Johnny Cash (2003). Others who have performed or recorded the song include Jelly Roll Morton, Lead Belly, Bo Carter, Reverend Gary Davis, Ricky Nelson, the Kingston Trio, Roger McGuinn, Hot Tuna, Leon Redbone, John Butz, Cat Power, and Greensky Bluegrass.

Salty dog

Salty Dog may refer to:

It may also refer to:

In television

Music

A brand or establishment

Salty Dogs may refer to:

Salty dog (slang)

“Salty Dog” is nautical slang for an experienced sailor who has spent much of his life aboard a ship at sea. A salty dog is often given increased credibility by ship mates in matters pertaining to ship-board life and duties. Also known as an “old salt.”

Another meaning of the term "Salty Dog" comes from the archaic practice of rubbing salt into the coat of one's favorite dog as a flea repellent. Therefore, one's "salty dog" is one's favorite person, best friend, etc... This is the meaning of the line in "Salty Dog Blues": "Let me be your salty dog, or I don't wanna be your man at all." The phrase could also have a sexual meaning. The lyric "Honey, let me be your salty dog" could also be translated to mean "Let me be your sexual partner."

"Salty dog" also means ornery, as in the T-Bone Walker tune "Ain't Salty No More."

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Salty dog (cocktail)

A Salty Dog is a cocktail of gin or vodka and grapefruit juice, served in a highball glass with a salted rim. The salt is the only difference between a Salty Dog and a Greyhound. Vodka may be used as a substitute for gin; nevertheless, it is historically a gin drink.

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