LYRICS TRANSCRIPTIONS OF THE LUCILLE BOGAN COMPOSITIONS
ALLEY BOOGIE
I'm doing something now, I ain't never done before,
Going to do it this time, ain't gonna do it no more,
My alley boogie, only thing I choose,
And it's the only thing I do, to drive away my blues.
I boogied all night, all the night before,
When I woke up this mornin', I wanted to boogie some more,
Oh, alley boogie, only thing I crave,
I can do my alley boogie, so many different ways.
I've got a bed in my bedroom, pallet on my floor,
I've got to do my alley boogie, everywhere I go,
'Cause I'm wild about my boogie, only thing I crave,
Good alley boogie'll carry me to my grave.
Mama loves her boogie, papa loves it too,
And it runs in my family, and that's all I like to do,
And I'm wild about my boogie, only thing I crave,
I'm gonna do my boogie, the rest of my days.
Papa got a watch, brother got a ring,
Sister got a armful, from alley boogie'n that thing,
She's wild about her boogie, only thing she choose,
Now she got to do the boogie, to buy her alley baby some shoes.
Now I done sung this song, til I sweat,
And ain't nobody bought no alley Boogie yet,
And I'm wild about my boogie, only thing I crave,
I been doin' my alley boogie, I been boogin' all of my days.
B. D. WOMAN'S BLUES
Comin' a time, B. D. womens ain't gon' need no men,
Comin' a time, B. D. womens ain't goin' to need no men,
Oh the way they treat us, is a lowdown and dirty sin.
B. D. women, you sure can't understand,
B. D. women, you sure can't understand,
They got a head like a switch engine, and they walk just like a natural man.
B. D. women, they all done learnt their plan,
B. D. women, they all done learnt their plan,
They can lay their jive, just like a natural man.
B. D. women, B. D. womens you know they sure is rough,
B. D. women, B. D. womens you know they sure is rough,
They-a drink a-plenty of whiskey, and they sure will strut their stuff.
B. D. women, you know they works and makes their dough,
B. D. women, you know they work and make their dough,
And when they get ready to spend it, they know just where to go.
BAKING POWDER BLUES
Aside: Aah, beat 'em boy, beat 'em. Beat 'em down to the bricks.
Got up this mornin', by the risin' sun,
Didn't have no whiskey, I tried to find me some.
Aside: Want to hear the bakin' powder blues. Dance out both my shoes.
Boy! Play them things. Aah, play 'em a year today papa.
I use my Skeet and Garrett, skeet it everywhere,
Lord I like them bakin' powder blues, and I sure don't care.
Asides: Oh. Am! Boy, shoot them dice! Shoot 'em!
Boy, play them things for me.
Got to gamble, want to win me some dough.
Play 'em now boy, if you just don't play 'em no more.
Here boy, here's five dollars.
Dice jumped a Hudson lord, I swear my money don't lose,
If the dice jumped a Hudson, baby my money won't lose,
I got to win tonight and buy this bakin' powder man some shoes.
Asides: Here boy, here's another five
Shuff' now, shuff'. Play 'em boy, where you come?
What's your name? Is you the man all the womens like?
Aah, play 'em like I feel.
I know I ain't gonna sleep well tonight, boy.
C'mon, go home with me, let's have a big crap game.
Boy, you know where I'm from? I'm from the Black Belt.
If you be all right with me, I carry you back there too.
Play them blues boy, and don't play 'em so slow,
'Cause I'm gonna give you some more money, and I'm gonna give it to you sure.
Aside: 'Cause I like you. Great god, look-a there. Woo, shuff' now.
BARBECUE BESS
When you come to my house, come down behind the jail,
I got a sign on my door, "Barbecue for Sale",
I'm talkin' 'bout my barbecue, only thing I crave,
And that good doin' meat, gon' carry me to my grave.
I'm sellin' it cheap, 'cause I got good stuff,
And if you try one time, you can't get enough,
I'm talkin' 'bout barbecue, only thing I sell,
And if you want my meat, you can come to my house at twelve.
Now some like it hot, some like it cold,
Some take it any, way it is sold,
I'm talkin' 'bout barbecue, only thing I crave,
And that good doin' meat, goin' to take me to my grave.
Some people wants it, some people don't,
If you buy my barbecue, it just won't don't-don't-don't,
Talkin' 'bout barbecue, only thing I sell,
And if you want my meat, you've got to come to my house at twelve.
Some people wants to know, the regular price,
Fifty five cents, you can get some twice,
And I'm talkin' 'bout my barbecue, only thing I sell,
And you can get my meat, any night at twelve.
BLACK ANGEL BLUES
I got a sweet black angel, I like the way he spread his wings,
I got a sweet black angel, I like the way he spread his wings,
And I'm crazy about him, he spreads so much joy and everything.
If I ask him for a dime, he gives me a ten dollar bill,
If I ask him for a dime, he gives me a ten dollar bill,
Yes he does everything, to keep my wants filled.
If my black angel would leave me, I believe that I would die,
If my black angel would leave me, I believe that I would die,
And if I see him lookin' at another woman, I just scream and cry.
I love my black angel, and I want him by myself,
I love my black angel, and I want him by myself,
Lord I don't want him spreading his wings, over no-one else.
Womens: don't bother my black angel, don't bother him in any way,
Womens: don't bother my black angel, don't bother him any way,
I'd serve ninety-nine years, in jail 'most any day.
I'm wild about my black angel, I like the way he spread his wings,
I'm wild about my black angel, I like the way he spread his wings,
He's got a new way of gettin' boogie, and he sure can shake that thing.
BO-EASY BLUES
Bo-easy bo-easy, where have you been so long?
Bo-easy bo-easy, where have you been so long?
Ain't a man been in my back yard, baby since you been gone.
Bo-easy bo-easy, don't you hear me callin' your name?
Bo-easy bo-easy, don't you hear me callin' your name?
I ain't callin' you for your money, I'm callin' you for that same old thing.
Bo-easy, oh-oh bo-easy Lord,
Bo-easy baby, I'm layin' down 'cross my bed,
And you've got me with these blues, and I'm talkin' all out of my head.
Ooh bo-easy, baby won't you take your time?
Ooh bo-easy, bo-easy won't you take your time?
You've got all night to come runnin', daddy with that change of mind.
BOOGAN WAYS BLUES
Talkin' and preachin' to you baby, look just like it don't mean no good,
Talkin' and preachin' to you baby, look just like it don't mean no good,
'Cause you is a dirty mistreater, and I'll be the same way if I could.
You got ways like the devil, born in a lion's den,
You got ways like the devil, born in a lion's den,
And the reason I ain't quit you baby, won't you look what a fix I'm in.
Asides: Play 'em boy, play 'em. Beat the blood out of 'em.
Play 'em with your neck out long, and do the boodly-bum-bum.
You've got to get ready, you've got to meet them hard luck days,
You've got to get ready, you've got to meet them hard luck days,
And when they slip up on you, you goin' to change your boogin' ways.
You can bet your bottom dollar, daddy you done put that thing on me,
You can bet your bottom dollar, you done put that thing on me,
And you can be mean to me daddy, just as mean as a man can be.
CHANGED WAYS BLUES
I said ooh baby, ooh baby ooh,
Ooh baby, ooh baby ooh,
You don't treat me like, honey you used to do.
Ooh every mornin', baby before you'd go,
Every mornin', baby before you'd go,
You would kiss me at my table, and you would kiss me at my front door.
Aside: My baby don't love me no more. He have changed his ways.
But now it's ooh baby, ooh baby ooh,
Now it's ooh baby, ooh baby ooh,
What in this world daddy, do you want me to do?
Ooh I give you my money, and I let you run around,
Ooh I give you my money, and I let you run around,
And you keep me worried and, bothered all in mind.
COFFEE GRINDIN' BLUES
Ain't nobody, it ain't nobody,
Ain't nobody in town, can grind their coffee like mine.
I've drinked so much coffee, 'til I grinds it in my sleep,
I've drinked so much coffee, I grinds it in my sleep,
And when it get like that, you know it can't be beat.
It's so doggone good, 'til it made me bite my tongue,
It's so doggone good, it made me bite my tongue,
Gon' keep it for my daddy, ain't gon' give nobody none.
I ain't ever loved it, this-a-way before,
I ain't ever loved it, this-a-way before,
And I hope the Lord, I won't love it any more.
I've got so now, that I can't control my mind,
I've got so now, that I can't control my mind,
I goes to bed blue, and I get up cryin'.
It's so doggone good, 'til it made me talk outta my head,
It's so doggone good, it made me talk outta my head,
And it's better to me, than any I have ever had.
Now I grind my coffee, sell it two and three dollars a pound,
I grind my coffee, sell it two and three dollars a pound,
And it ain't no more, cheap like mine in town.
It's so doggone good, until it'll make you bite your tongue,
It's so doggone good, 'til it'll make you bite your tongue,
And I'm a coffee grindin' mama, and won't you let me grind you some?
CRAVIN' WHISKEY BLUES
Whiskey is my habit, good men is my crave,
Whiskey is my habit, good men is my crave,
This old barrelhouse habit, gon' drive me to my grave.
Lord it ain't but the one thing, that keeps me down in mind,
Ain't but the one thing, keep a good woman down in mind,
And I can't stay sober, just can't keep from cryin'.
Now what will I do, when they tear my barrelhouse down?
What will I do, tear my barrelhouse down?
Take my man and my whiskey, barrelhouse on the ground?
Lord it's whiskey here, ain't no money 'round,
Whiskey here, ain't no money 'round,
Whiskey in my house, my good mens just can't be found.
I'm a worried woman, almost lost my mind,
Worried woman, almost lost my mind,
The man I love, stay drunk all the time.
CRAWLIN' LIZARD BLUES
Crawlin' lizard, crawlin' lizard, you know you're doin' me wrong,
Crawlin' lizard, you know you are doin' me wrong,
Hey you doin' your crawlin', 'round some other terrapin's home.
Crawlin' lizard, crawlin' lizard, I'm beggin' you like I did before,
Crawlin' lizard, I'm beggin' you like I did before,
When you feel like crawlin', crawl up in my door.
I can't forget the way, I want to get the whole world told,
Crawlin' lizard got a crawl, they call the belly roll,
He can crawl, crawl in my door,
And he don't crawl fast, you know he do crawl slow.
When he creeped up on me, I started out to squall,
When he creeped up on me, I started out to squall,
But it weren't nothin' but my crawlin' lizard, tryin' to get his water hole.
I looked for my crawlin' lizard, this morning 'bout the break of day,
I looked for my crawlin' lizard, this morning 'bout the break of day,
Yes he's taken his real good crawl, crawled himself away.
I looked at the clock, the clock was striking one,
My crawlin' lizard had gone, I hadn't got my crawlin' done,
Yes he crawled, crawled from my door,
Hey he left a sign, sayin' he won't be back no more.
DIRTY TREATIN' BLUES
I want you to treat me daddy, just like I treat you,
I want you to treat me daddy, just like I treat you,
And if I treat you dirty, you can treat me dirty too.
You always talkin', 'bout the lowdown things I do,
You always talkin', 'bout the lowdown things I do,
Now look over your hands, and see if you ain't dirty too.
How can I do right, and my man livin' wrong?
How can I do right, my man livin' wrong?
And how can I please him, and he don't ever stay at home?
Now I don't want you man, you've got another woman rulin' you,
I don't want you man, got another woman rulin' you,
And you can't please me, and your other woman too.
I'm so tired of bein' worried, tired of bein' cold in hand,
I'm so tired of bein' worried, tired of bein' cold in hand,
And I'm tired of these women, fallin' over my man.
Now if I kiss you daddy, make the water run out your eyes,
If I kiss you daddy, make the water run out your eyes,
And if I squeeze your lemon, baby you'll be satisfied.
DOGGONE WICKED BLUES
Fine high brown woman wants to take my man,
Fine high brown woman wants to take my man,
He sure looks good, she'll take him if she can.
Cryin' don't quit me daddy, let's try and get along,
Cryin' don't quit me daddy, let's try and get along,
You took me from my husband, brought me 'way from home.
I have sold corn whiskey done, every thing a woman could do,
I have sold corn whiskey, done every thing a woman could do,
I've even robbed other men, and give their money to you.
Cryin' ain't gon' be, ain't gon' be your jockey no more,
Cryin' I ain't going to be, be your jockey no more,
Treat me like a dog, every where we go.
You've got a head like a rock, heart like a marble stone,
You've got a head like a rock Lord, heart like a marble stone,
You mistreat me, you've brought me way from home.
Cryin' have you ever had a man, to bring another women to your face?
Cryin' have you ever had a man, to bring another women to your face?
And to tell the world, that woman'd take your place?
DON'T MEAN YOU NO GOOD BLUES
Now the reason I come to this place, I was all out and down,
I didn't have no good man, my husband can't be found.
My home ain't here, it's in sweet old Tennessee,
I just come to this place, to give my poor heart ease.
I ain't no high yellow, I ain't got no real long hair,
But these ways I got, will take me anywhere.
Now I ain't so good lookin', and I don't dress so fine,
And the womens don't like me, 'cause I speak my mind.
Now I quit my good man, 'cause I don't mean him no good,
For I love more mens, than any railroad train can pull.
Talk about your high yellow, you sure can see my brown,
He ain't so good lookin', but he sure is the best in town.
I'm worried now, but I won't be worried long,
It takes a worried girl, to sing this worried song.
I'm leavin' here, I'm goin' to Tennessee,
I will keep this place, to give my poor heart ease.
DOWN IN BOOGIE ALLEY
Way down in Boogie Alley, ain't nothin' but skulls and bones,
Way down in Boogie Alley, ain't nothin' but skulls and bones,
And when I get drunk, who's goin' to take my home?
I'm goin' to stop my man, from runnin' 'round,
I'm goin' to stop my man, from runnin' 'round,
'Cause down in Boogie Alley, is where he can be found.
He goes down in Boogie Alley, house number Three,
He goes down in Boogie Alley, house number Three,
And when he get down there, the womens won't let him come to see me.
I went down in Boogie Alley, with my razor in my hand,
Went down in Boogie Alley, with my razor in my hand,
And the blues struck me, I brought back my man.
If you go in Boogie Alley, you'd better take your Forty-Four,
If you go in Boogie Alley, you'd better take your Forty-Four,
The womens'll get your man down there, and they won't let him go.
DRINKING BLUES
Blues is got me drinkin', trouble's got me thinkin',
and it's goin' to carry me to my grave,
I say blues is got me drinkin', trouble's got me thinkin',
and it's goin' to carry me to my grave,
And I'm goin' to keep on drinkin', the rest of my worried days.
Don't a woman look real funny, when she wake up cold in hand,
And the broad ain't got a dollar, to give her house-rent man,
Don't a woman feel real funny, when the broad wake up cold in hand,
And she ain't got a dollar, to meet the house-rent man.
Trouble's got me thinkin', and I just can't keep from drinkin',
and I'm tryin' to drive my worried blues away,
Trouble's got me thinkin', and I just can't keep from drinkin',
tryin' to drive my worried blues away,
How I be worried, each and every lonesome day.
Now my heart is achin', and whiskey's all it's takin',
just to drive these blues away,
Now my heart is achin', and whiskey's all it's takin',
just to drive these blues away,
And I stay drunk, each and every worried day.
Aside: Beat 'em a long time, baby.
FORTY-TWO HUNDRED BLUES
Did you hear did you hear, did you hear that Frisco whistle blow?
(Roland: Woh! woh!)
Did you hear did you hear, hear that Frisco whistle blow?
(Roland: Woh! woh!)
And she blowed just like, she ain't ever blowed before.
I was standin' at a station, when that Forty-two Hundred left town,
I was standin' at a station, when that Forty-two Hundred left town,
Burnin' down in oil, and that train was Kansas City bound.
I never felt so sorry, 'til the fireman ring the bell,
I never felt so sorry, 'til the fireman ring the bell,
Put his head in the window, said: "Bessie, fare thee well".
That Forty-two Hundred, is sixteen drivers long,
That Forty-two Hundred, is sixteen drivers long,
Lord and the man I love, is on this train and gone.
Mr. Conductor Man, one thing I want to know,
Mr. Conductor Man, one thing I want to know,
How far do that hog-head, drivin' this engine go?
GONNA LEAVE TOWN
The woman I was lovin’, all my love for her is gone
The woman I was lovin’, all my love for her is gone
She drove my love away, when she stayed out all night long
It won’t be long now baby, before I will be gone
It won’t be long now baby, before I will be gone
I caught you last night, layin’ in another man’s arms
I’m gonna catch me a Greyhound, and ride him ‘til his tongue drags the ground
I’m gonna catch me a Greyhound, and ride him ‘til his tongue drags the ground
‘Cause I got another good woman, and I know where she can be found
GROCERIES ON THE SHELF
My name is Piggly Wiggly, and I swear you can help yourself,
My name is Piggly Wiggly, and I swear you can help yourself,
And you've got to have your greenback, and it don't take nothin' else.
It's Piggly Wiggly Stores here Lord, Piggly Wigglies everywhere,
Piggly Wiggly Store here, Piggly Wigglies everywhere,
If you don't find one here, you will find one over there.
You can go to your five-, you can go to your ten-cent store,
You can go to your five-, you can go to your ten-cent store,
But if you come to my Piggly Wiggly, you won't go back there no more.
Now my friends all hate me, 'cause I got a Piggly Wiggly Store,
Now my friends all hate me, got a Piggly Wiggly Store,
I got groceries on my shelf, and they're layin' all on my floor.
Now my mama told me, papa he told me too,
Said my mama told me, papa he told me too,
Said that Piggly Wiggly Store is going to be the ruin of you.
HOUSE TOP BLUES
Aside: Aah, my house top done fell in
My man's come home, found me sloppy drunk again,
My man is done come home, found me sloppy drunk again,
And I believe to my soul, my house top is done fell in.
I raised my hand and hollered, the only thing I know,
Raised my hand and hollered, the only thing I know,
But when I got sober, my house top was on the floor.
He blacked my eye, and I could not see,
He blacked my eye, and I could not see,
He tore my house top down, but that's all right with me.
My man's done come home, caught me sloppy drunk again,
My man's done come home, caught me sloppy drunk again,
I was barrelhousin' down, and my house was full of men.
Mm-mm, my house top's done fell in,
Oh-oh, my house top is done fell in,
And my house got breaked, from bein' sloppy drunk again.
I HATE THAT TRAIN CALLED THE M. AND O.
I hate that train, that they all call the M. & O.,
I hate that train, that they all call the M. & O.,
It took my baby away, and he ain't comin' back to me no more.
When he was leavin', I couldn't hear nothin' but that whistle blow,
When he was leavin', I couldn't hear nothin' but that whistle blow,
And the man at the throttle, Lord he wasn't comin' back no more.
He had his head in the window, that man was watchin' those drivers roll,
He had his head in the window, and he was watchin' those drivers roll,
Say I'm goin' away baby, and dog-gone your bad luck soul.
Now I'm so worried, and I'm so full of gloom,
I'm so worried, and I'm so full of gloom,
And deep down in my heart, ain't nothin' but a lover's ruin.
I was sorry, I was sorry sorry to my heart,
I was sorry, I was sorry to my heart,
To see that M. & O. train, and me and my daddy part.
JIM TAMPA BLUES
Hey Jim Tampa, hey Jim Tampa,
Hey Jim Tampa, you treat your woman so mean,
You treat your tommie, like a woman you ain't ever seen.
Womens all know my man, call him Mister Tampa long,
aside: Why shouldn't they call me? They know my name.
Womens all know my man, call him Mister Tampa long,
He made so much money, women when the weather was on.
aside: Lord I ain't made no money in my life.
My man's got five womens, I can call them by their natural names,
He's got five womens, call them by their natural names,
aside: Lord, hard on me. Have mercy.
All of them repeated, sounds just the same.
aside: I ain't just the same, though, no no.
It must be a black cat bone, jomo can't work that hard,
aside: Oh, what is a jomo anyhow? Tell me.
It must be a black cat bone, jomo can't work that hard,
aside: What kind of thing is this thing?
Every time I wake up, Jim Tampa's in my yard.
I can stand right here, five miles down the road,
I can stand right here, five miles down the road,
Hey look in the way, Jim Tampa used to go.
JUMP STEADY DADDY
Jump Steady Daddy, please take your time,
Jump Steady Daddy, please take your time,
You've got a year and a day, to satisfy my mind.
Love me daddy, love me all the time,
Love me daddy, love me all the time,
And if you love me like I tell you, you'll be that Jump Steady man of mine.
Jump Steady got to jumpin', jumpin' in the rough,
Jump Steady got to jumpin', jumpin' in the rough,
And I got crazy about him, 'cause he could strut his stuff.
Now when Jump Steady start to jumpin', he does it slow,
He goes from the top, down to the floor,
Oh mm-mm just can't let him go, 'cause he jump better than any, man that I know.
He don't work on no rock pile, he don't tote no slag,
He don't work on a rock pile, he don't tote no slag,
And the way he jump steady, it's just too bad.
KIND STELLA BLUES
Kind Stella was a good gal, known to be a good man's friend,
Kind Stella was a good gal, known to be a good man's friend,
She take money from her husband, give it to her gamblin' men.
My man shot a dollar and a nickel, he caught a point like nine,
Shot a dollar and a nickel, he caught a point like nine,
'Cause the sow come skippin', and the trey comes a lyin' down.
To please to please my man, I'd rather mistreat myself,
Lord to please my man, rather mistreat myself,
'Cause I'm crazy 'bout my gambler, and I don't want nobody else.
I ain't no gamblin' woman, I got such rowdy ways,
Lord ain't no gamblin' woman, got such-a rowdy ways,
And if my man don't stop me, be rowdy all my days.
My man pawned his chain, my man pawned his watch and chain,
Lord pawned his chain, pawned his watch and chain,
He's pawned right now, and he ain't got a doggone thing.
LEVEE BLUES
Down on the levee, camp number nine,
Down on the levee, camp number nine,
You can pass my house, honey you can hear me cryin'.
I never had no blues, till I stopped by here,
I never had no blues, till I stopped by here,
I'm gonna leave this camp, be gone the solid year.
Now my mama's got them, papa's got them too,
My sister's got them, brother's got them too,
We've got the rickets and the rackets, we all got the Levee Camp blues.
I ain't found no doctor, ain't no doctor in this whole round world,
I ain't found no doctor, ain't no doctor in this whole round world,
That can cure the blues, blues of a Levee Camp girl.
LONESOME DADDY BLUES
Now have you heard, my Lonesome Daddy Blues?
Have you ever heard, my Lonesome Daddy Blues?
And when you hear them, they will fill you through and through.
Woke up this mornin', feelin' sad in bed,
Woke up this mornin', feelin' sad in bed,
I tell you people, I lost the man I had.
Aside: Play it, Mr. Callens
Now if you get my good man, you sure can't keep him long,
Now if you get my good man, you sure can't keep him long,
For I've got a way of bouncin', bring my man back home.
Now if anybody ask you, who sang this song,
Now if anybody ask you, who sang this song,
Tell them sweet mama Bogan, she have been here and gone.
LONESOME MIDNIGHT BLUES
I'm lonesome, I'm lonesome, and I've got those lonesome midnight blues,
I'm lonesome, lonesome, I've got those lonesome midnight blues,
And I'm blue to my heart, my man I hate to lose.
Blues and trouble, have overtaken me,
Blues and trouble, have overtaken me,
And I've got those midnight blues, blue as I can be.
Late last night, when my clock was strikin' three,
I said late last night, when my clock was strikin' three,
My daddy was leavin', and the blues had me.
I feel so troubled, and I'm down-hearted too,
Worry, and blues I can't hide,
Now I've got those worried kind, Lonesome Midnight Blues.
MAN STEALER BLUES
I went to bed last night, and these blues wouldn't let me rest,
I went to bed last night, these blues wouldn't let me rest,
'Cause I ain't been used, to sleepin' by myself.
Oh it's blues oh blues, blues don't you see?
I said blues oh blues, blues don't you see?
You are carryin' me down, and blues you tryin' to kill poor me.
Now blues and trouble, both walk hands in hand,
Aside: Have mercy
Blues and trouble, both walk hands in hand,
I never had these blues, until my best friend loved my man.
She may have loved him one time, but that's one man she sure can't hold,
She may have loved him one time, but that's one man she sure can't hold,
'Cause it's done been tested, that I cooks the best jelly roll.
He puts his arms around me, like the ring around the good Lord's sun,
He puts his arms around me, like the ring around the good Lord's sun,
Sayin', he "ain't had no woman to love me", Lord like I done.
MEAN TWISTER
I'm gon' tell everybody, what that mean old twister done,
I'm gon' tell everybody, what that mean old twister done,
It tore down my house, and hardly left a-one.
It went in my house, tore down my bed and springs,
It went in my house, tore down my bed and springs,
It broke my man's back, and tried to do me the same.
It set the town on fire, and it weren't no water 'round.
Set the town on fire, and it weren't no water 'round.
Let's whoop 'n' holler women, try to save that burnin' town
Fell down on my knees and I raised my hand to God above,
Fell down on my knees, I raised my hand to God above,
Say: "You tore down my house, and you killed the man I love".
Lord: searched the ashes, for twenty-five miles around,
Say I searched the ashes, for twenty-five miles around,
And my man's body, Lord could not be found.
I went and I stood up on some high, old lonesome hill,
Say I went and I stood, high old lonesome hill,
And looked down on my house Lord, where me and my daddy lived.
MY BABY COME BACK
Baby's done come back, swear he ain't gon' leave me no more,
Baby's done come back, swear he ain't gon' leave me no more,
He know he done me wrong and he gonna reap, just what he sow.
People people, I done all in this world I could,
People people, I done all in this world I could,
But he's a dirty mistreater, and he don't mean me good.
He come back this mornin', he got back 'bout half past four,
He come back this mornin', he got back 'bout half past four,
Say: "If you let me in woman, I will make you love me some more".
I love you baby, but I can't stand the way you do,
I love you baby, but I can't stand the way you do,
And it's drivin' me crazy, and it's sure gon' trouble you too.
If I take you back baby, I tell you what you've got to do,
If I take you back baby, I tell you what you've got to do,
You've got to steal beg and borrow it daddy, and bring it all home with you.
MY GEORGIA GRIND
Look here papa, I don't mean no harm,
I'm just from Georgia, to carry the good work on,
It's a thing I do, and it's mighty fine,
And the mens is crazy about my, Georgia Grind,
When you start to doin' it, it's a one-way strain,
Got to do my Georgia Grind just like, a natural man.
All you've got to do, is to fall in line,
Put your right hand up, and your left one behind,
If you want to learn, you've got to pay,
'Cause I ain't gon' give my good Georgia Grind away.
If you do it once, you-all 'll want to do it twice,
And it's mighty fine I tell you, if you do it right,
I'm talkin' about my Georgia, Lord now I do mean Grind,
And it's something 'bout it baby, will satisfy your worried mind.
Some likes it slow, some likes it fast,
But I like my Georgia Grind, just half and half,
Come down past my house, and hear me cryin',
"Great God daddy, won't you take your time",
'Cause I'm crazy 'bout my Georgia, I love my good Georgia Grind.
I'm goin' back to Georgia, where I can have my fun,
Goin' down in Georgia, where I get my good grindin' done,
I'm talkin' 'bout my Georgia, I mean my good Georgia Grind,
And it's something 'bout it baby, satisfy your worried mind.
MY MAN IS BOOGAN ME
Here's one thing I want, my man to know,
I ain't goin' to be, his lowdown dog no more,
You know he's boogin' me, yes he's boogin' me,
And I'm gettin' sick and tired, the way my man is boogin' me.
He gets up every mornin', and before he go,
Say he don't want me to put my head out, of my front door,
You know that's boogin' me, yes that's boogin' me,
And I'm gettin' sick and tired, the way my man is boogin' me.
He won't buy me no shoes, he won't buy me no clothes,
And he's got so lowdown, he wants to put me outdoors,
You know that's boogin' me, yes that's boogin' me,
And I'm gettin' mighty tired, the way my man is boogin' me.
I ain't got no coal, I ain't no wood,
And you know 'bout that, that man don't mean me no good,
Yeh-es he's boogin' me, yes he's boogin' me,
And I'm gettin' sick and tired, the way my man is boogin' me.
I ain't got no flour, I ain't got no lard,
And he knows dog gone well, the times is done got hard,
Yes he's boogin' me, yes he's boogin' me,
And I'm gettin' mighty tired, the way my man is boogin' me.
NEW MUSCLE SHOALS BLUES
I'm goin' to Muscle Shoals, to get my man a government job,
Say I'm goin' to Muscle Shoals, get my man a government job,
He wants to work on the Lock and Dam, where they don't work men so hard.
They get men for the forest, and they workin' 'em on the Wilson Dam,
They get men for the forest, workin' 'em on that Wilson Dam,
Down at Muscle Shoal' Lord, eighty miles from Birmingham.
He got his suitcase packed, and his trunk is all gone on,
He's got his suitcase packed, and his trunk is all gone on,
Standin' here with me Lord, waitin' on that train to run.
Put your arms around me daddy, like the ring around the risin' sun,
Put your arms around me daddy, like the ring around the risin' sun,
If you make any money in Muscle Shoals, daddy won't you give me some?
On the Tennessee River, where they built the Wilson Dam,
On the Tennessee River, where they built the Wilson Dam,
Twelve miles from Florence, and eighty miles from Birmingham.
NEW WAY BLUES
Did you ever get down brown skin, and come up black?
Did you ever get down brown skin, and come up black?
And did you ever get something, that you really like?
Everybody is talkin', say I sure do know what to do,
Everybody's talkin', say I sure do know what to do,
And if you pay me my price, I'll learn that thing to you.
It's a new way of lovin', and everybody can't catch on,
It's a new way of lovin', and everybody can't catch on,
But if you do it like I tell you, you sure Lord can't go wrong.
Now wants to bet my money, 'bout this new way of gettin' down,
I want to bet my money, 'bout this new way of gettin' down,
Said I can get down black, but I sure Lord come up brown.
Now this new way of lovin', it's worth its weight in gold,
This new way of lovin', is worth its weight in gold,
And it's something 'bout my lovin', that I ain't ever told.
NICE AND KIND BLUES
My man took all my money, and my man wants to take my life,
Took all my money, my man he wants to take my life,
Say he dreamed last night, I weren't doin' the poor boy right.
My man laid under my bed, watched me while I sleep,
He laid under my bed, watched me while I sleep,
Thinkin' some good man, would make his midnight creep.
Asides: Oh Mr. Ezell, play it until the cows come home.
Play it for your mama, play it for me all night long.
Tell me daddy, what are you tryin' to do?
Tell me daddy, what are you tryin' to do?
Tryin' to kill me, or just break my heart in two?
If my man I got now, was like my first man used to be,
If my man I got now, was like my first man used to be,
He sure would be nice, kind and sweet to me.
And my sister told me, pal told me too,
My sister told me, pal told me too,
You ever love a man you've got, he sure would mistreat you.
OKLAHOMA MAN BLUES
Sometimes he's sweet, and mean as he can be.
Now put your arms around me daddy, like a ring around the risin' sun,
Put your arms around me daddy, like a ring around the risin' sun,
I ain't found no man to love me, like my Oklahoma man done.
Said I'm goin' to Oklahoma, want to split my oil with you,
Said I'm goin' to Oklahoma, goin' to split my oil with you,
For these oil wells in Texas, swear they sure won't do.
I've got my suitcase packed, said and my trunk's gone on,
Got my suitcase packed, trunk's gone on,
Standin' here with my man, waiting for my train to come.
Womens in Oklahoma got, somethin' I sure ain't got,
Womens down in Oklahoma, got somethin' that I sure ain't got,
It ain't no money, and it must be hand me out.
When I leave here daddy, pin crepe on this town,
When I leave here daddy, pin crepe on this town,
And you know by that, me and my man is Oklahoma bound.
PAY ROLL BLUES
Pay day on the Southern, pay day on the Yellow Dog,
Pay day on the Southern, pay day on the Yellow Dog,
And I want to meet that payroll, and try to make a water hole.
Mens out on the Southern, they make dollars by the stack,
Mens out on the Southern, they make dollars by the stack,
And I have money in my stocking, when that payroll train get back.
I'm leavin' here broke, and I ain't got no money at all,
I'm going to leave here broke I ain't, got no money at all,
But I will bet my life, I will make a water hole.
I will be steady rollin', rollin' from sun to sun,
I will be steady rollin', rollin' from sun to sun,
And I will have a-plenty money, when that 'fore-day roll is done.
You hear me beefin', money's what I've got to have,
You hear me beefin', money's what I've got to have,
I've got to get me fifty dollars, if I have to make a midnight grab.
PIG IRON SALLY
Some folks say black is evil, but I will tell the world they are wrong,
Some folks say black is evil, but I will tell the world they are wrong,
'Cause I'm a sealskin brown, and I've been evil every since I been born.
(Roland: Anybody can look at you and tell that.)
I'm-a scared to trust a rabbit, and I won't even trust a squirrel,
I'm-a scared to trust a rabbit, and I won't even trust a squirrel,
And I won't bat my eyes, 'cause I might lose sight on this whole round world.
I've got a head like a freight train, and I walks just like a Grizzly Bear,
I've got a head like a freight train, and I walks like a Grizzly Bear,
And I use my Skeet and Garrett, and I skeet my ambeer everywhere.
They call me Pig Iron Sally, 'cause I live in Flag Iron Alley,
and I'm evil and mean as I can be,
Call me Pig Iron Sally, 'cause I live in Flag Iron Alley,
and I'm evil and mean as I can be,
And I ain't going to let nobody, put that doggone thing on me.
I ain't nothin' but a mistreater, baby and it ain't no joke,
I ain't nothin' but a mistreater, baby and it ain't no joke,
And if you don't believe I'm dirty, you can watch my bogue stroke.
POT HOUND BLUES
You must bring me a job of money, from any where,
You must bring me a job of money, from any where,
'Cause I can get your kind of lovin', in the street just any where.
You come home every day, lookin' for your stew and beans,
You come home every day, lookin' for your stew and beans,
And you have got more nerve than any pot hound, I've ever seen.
Now you take your money, you have your fun,
You don't have nothin', when house rent come,
And I'm through, cookin' your stew and beans,
And you can eat more neckbones, than any man I've ever seen.
Now if you want me baby, you've got to make your first showdown,
If you want me baby, make your first showdown,
And you've got to put your money, down where I've got mine.
Now you're layin' up in my bed, between my two white sheets,
I can't see or smell nothin', but your doggone feet,
And I'm through, tryin' to make a man of you,
And if you can't bring a job, don't you look for your daily stew.
I work hard from Monday, until late Saturday night,
And you's a dirty mistreater, you ain't treatin' me right,
And I'm through, cookin' your stew and beans,
And you's a dirty pot hound, dirtier 'an any man I've seen.
RECKLESS WOMAN
A woman gets tired, of one man all the time, Lord-Lord-Lord,
A woman gets tired, of one man all the time, Lord-Lord-Lord,
And don't care what you give her, you can't change her ramblin' mind.
Don't never think, you got a whole woman by yourself, Lord-Lord-Lord,
Don't never think you've got, a whole woman by yourself, Lord-Lord-Lord,
'Cause it never was a woman, didn't love somebody else.
Aside: Mm-mm-mm. Did y'all hear what that woman said?
But she sure is tellin' the truth about some women.
Course, I ain't like that myself.
I ain't never loved, just one man in my life, Lord-Lord-Lord,
I ain't never loved, just one man in my life, Lord-Lord-Lord,
'Cause this kind of love I got, I can love the same way twice.
Some womens like two mens, some womens they like three, Lord-Lord-Lord,
Some womens like two mens, some womens they like three, Lord-Lord-Lord,
But I like as many men, I see is good to me.
RED CROSS MAN
If anybody don't believe, I've got a Red Cross man,
Go out in my back yard, look at my Red Cross cans,
Oh, baby don't you want to go?
Go with me and my man, down to the Red Cross Store.
Red Cross gives my man, three days a week,
Sack of Red Cross flour, hunk o' old white meat,
Oh, baby don't you want to go?
You can go with my man, down to the Red Cross Store.
If my man had-a listened, to me years ago,
He wouldn't had to go, to the Red Cross Store
Oh, baby now you've got to go,
You can't go to no Hill's, you got to go to the Red Cross Store.
Wonder what them people, standin' talkin' so?
I believe they are, talkin' 'bout a Red Cross store,
Oh, baby don't you want to go?
Go with me and my man, down to the Red Cross Store.
My man worked up on the mountain, his shirt got soaking wet,
Say he don't want no stuff, 'bout his Red Cross check,
Oh, baby don't you want to go?
You can go with my man, down to the Red Cross Store.
ROLL AND RATTLER
Some time I think, my man's too good to die,
(Roland: Don't see how you can think that.)
Some time I think, my man's too good to die,
(Roland: Darling, but he is not.)
Then again I think, he oughta be buried alive.
(Roland: You wished he's dead, don't you?)
I love my man, from his head down to his toes,
(Roland: Ah, ah, oh, you always did know that.)
Say I love my man Lord, his head down to his toes,
But he put me in bad luck, dog gone his bad luck soul.
(Roland: You wished he is dead, don't you?)
Aside: Aah, beat 'em
I'd follow my man, down to the croaker's cave,
(Roland: Bess, you want to buy some fish, don't you?)
Say I followed my man, down to the croaker's cave,
(Roland: You ain't buyin' no fish no more, honey)
Then I'd watch the pall-bearers, put him in his ownsome grave.
(Roland: Oh, yeah!)
I'd slowly follow him, to the buryin' ground,
Say I'd slowly follow, him to the buryin' ground,
(Roland: Correct, then!)
Then I'd catch a rollin' rattler, and I'd leave this town.
SEABOARD BLUES
Baby's gone, and he rode that Seaboard way,
Baby is gone, and he rode that Seaboard way,
And if the blues overtake him, he will be back some day.
He had a head like a switch engine, he had teeth like a teddy bear,
He had a head like a switch engine, he had teeth like a teddy bear,
And if I see my baby coming, I will know my daddy anywhere.
Oh-oh baby, say you goin' away to stay,
Oh-oh baby, say you goin' away to stay,
And I know I'm gon' be worried, and want to see you some old lonesome day.
He left this morning, he left 'bout half past four,
He left this morning, and he left 'bout half past four,
Say: "I'm going away woman, and I don't want you no more."
He can't stay long, 'cause all his clothes in pawn,
He can't stay long, 'cause all his clothes in pawn,
And I know he's going to need them, 'cause winter time done come.
SHAVE 'EM DRY (polite version)
All of you cack woman, you'd better put on the walk,
'Cause I'm gonna get drunk, and do my dirty talk.
The money and the baboon, playin' in the grass,
And the monkey got mad, and whipped his yes-yes-yes,
Talkin' 'bout shave, mama's going to shave 'em dry,
And if you don't know, mama's goin' to learn you how.
You know a elephant, he's big and stout,
He would be all right, if it weren't for his snout,
Talkin' 'bout shave, mama's gonna shave him dry,
And if you don't know, I'm goin' to learn you how.
I ain't rough, I ain't tough,
I'm just a stomp-down roller, and I like to strut my stuff,
Talkin' 'bout shave 'em, mama's goin' to shave 'em dry,
And if you don't know, mama's gonna learn you how.
I met a man, lives down the way,
He had so much money, until I had to stay,
I was talkin' 'bout shave 'em, mama's goin' to shave 'em dry,
And if you don't know, mama's goin' to learn you how.
If you meet your man, and he tell you a lie,
Just pull out your razor, and shave him dry,
Talkin' 'bout shave 'em, mama's gonna shave him dry,
'Cause I don't want no man, tell me no dirty lie.
SHAVE 'EM DRY (unexpurgated version)
I got nipples on my titties, big as the end of my thumb,
I got somethin' between my legs'll make a dead man come,
Oh daddy, baby won't you shave 'em dry?
Aside: Now, draw it out!
Want you to grind me baby, grind me until I cry.
(Roland: Uh, huh.)
Say I fucked all night, and all the night before baby,
And I feel just like I wanna, fuck some more,
Oh great God daddy,
(Roland: Say you gonna get it. You need it.)
Grind me honey and shave me dry,
And when you hear me holler baby, want you to shave it dry.
I got nipples on my titties, big as the end of my thumb,
Daddy you say that's the kind of 'em you want, and you can make 'em come,
Oh, daddy shave me dry,
(Roland: She ain't gonna work for it.)
And I'll give you somethin' baby, swear it'll make you cry.
I'm gon' turn back my mattress, and let you oil my springs,
I want you to grind me daddy, 'til the bell do ring,
Oh daddy, want you to shave 'em dry,
Oh great God daddy, if you can't shave 'em baby won't you try?
Now if fuckin' was the thing, that would take me to heaven,
I'd be fuckin' in the studio, till the clock strike eleven,
Oh daddy, daddy shave 'em dry,
I would fuck you baby, honey I'd make you cry.
Now your nuts hang down like a damn bell sapper,
And your dick stands up like a steeple,
Your goddam ass-hole stands open like a church door,
And the crabs walks in like people.
Aside: Ow, shit!
(Roland: Aah, sure enough, shave 'em dry?)
Aside: Ooh! Baby, won't you shave 'em dry
A big sow gets fat from eatin' corn,
And a pig gets fat from suckin',
Reason you see this whore, fat like I am,
Great God, I got fat from fuckin'.
Aside: Eeeeh! Shave 'em dry
(Roland: Aah, shake it, don't break it)
My back is made of whalebone,
And my cock is made of brass,
And my fuckin' is made for workin' men's two dollars,
Great God, round to kiss my ass.
Aside: Oh! Whoo, daddy, shave 'em dry
SKIN GAME BLUES
Good mornin' skin game, hollerin' skin game please last,
Good mornin' skin game, hollerin' skin game please last,
I done staked my man to win and I, hope my money will pass.
He's done pawned my house, he got my life at stake,
He's done pawned my house, got my life at stake,
And I've got to get it back, with that money he gamble and make.
He never lost no money, until he drawed that black Queen of Spades,
Ooh lost his money, on that black Queen of Spades,
And my man was need-now beggin', he was in hard luck that very day.
When he come back to me, got a dollar or two,
Come back to me, got a dollar or two,
I want him to go back to that skin game, and see what he can do.
If my man, he could only win my money back,
If my man, could only win my money back,
I would take a walk downtown, buy me a brand new pair of shoes and hat.
SLOPPY DRUNK BLUES
I'd rather be sloppy drunk, than anything I know,
I'd rather be sloppy drunk, than anything I know,
And another half a pint, will see me go.
I love my moonshine whiskey, better than I do my man,
I love my moonshine whiskey, better than I do my man,
You can have your beer in your bottle, give my cool kind can.
I'd rather be sloppy drunk, sittin' in the can,
I'd rather be sloppy drunk, sittin' in the can,
Than to be at home, rollin' with my man.
Mm-mm, bring me another two-bit pint,
Mm-mm, bring me another two-bit pint,
'Cause I got my habits on, I'm goin' to wreck this joint.
I've been on this sloppy drunk, for a solid year,
I've been on this sloppy drunk, for a solid year,
And when I can't get my whiskey, bring me my cool canned beer.
My good man's quit me, for somebody else,
My good man's quit me, for somebody else,
And now I'm sloppy drunk, drinkin' by myself.
STEW MEAT BLUES
A man say I had something, look like new,
He want me to credit him for some of my stew,
Say he's goin' up the river, try to sell his stack,
He would pay me for my stuff, when the boat get back,
Now you can go on up the river, man and sell your sack,
You can pay me for my stew, when the boat get back.
I've got good stew, and it's got to be sold,
The price ain't high, I wanna get you told,
Go on up the river, man and sell your sack,
It'll be stew meat here, baby when the boat get back.
Now look here man, what you want me to do?
Give you my stew meat, and credit you too?
You go on up the river, try and sell your sack,
'Cause I have my stew meat here, when the boat get back.
I credit one man, it was to my sorrow,
It's cash today, credit tomorrow,
So hurry up the river, baby and try to sell your sack,
It's gonna be meat here, when that boat get back.
Now it's ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
You try my stuff one time, you can't get enough,
So go on up the river, man and sell your sack,
'Cause the stuff'll be here, baby when the boat get back.
STRUTTIN' MY STUFF
Every time the police see me comin', he wants to 'rrest poor me,
Say I'm drunk and disorderly, and rowdy as I can be,
'Cause I'm struttin' my stuff, I'm struttin' my stuff,
I'm struttin' my stuff, struttin' it in the rough.
Now some pays a dollar, some pays a dime,
Just to see me strut this stuff of mine,
I'm struttin' my stuff, I'm struttin' my stuff,
I'm struttin' my stuff, struttin' it in the rough.
Now look here women, I don't mean no harm,
If you want your man, you'd better keep him at home,
'Cause I'm struttin' my stuff, yes I'm struttin' my stuff,
I'm struttin' my stuff, struttin' it in the rough.
I'm a big fat woman, with the meat shakin' on my bones,
Every time I shimmy, a skinny woman lose her home,
'Cause I'm struttin' my stuff, yes I'm struttin' my stuff,
I'm struttin' my stuff, struttin' it in the rough.
I'm gon' tell all you women, how I lost my first man,
He left in a way, I couldn't understand,
I couldn't strut my stuff, I couldn't strut my stuff,
But now I'm struttin' my stuff, I'm struttin' it in the rough.
I'm five feet standin', six feet layin' down
I'm big as a barrel, but I'm round, round, round,
From struttin' my stuff, from I'm struttin' my struff,
Yes I'm struttin' my stuff, struttin' it in the rough.
SUPERSTITIOUS BLUES (HOOCH HOUSE BLUES)
I feel superstitious, something's going on wrong,
I feel superstitious, something's going on wrong,
I've got my house full of beer, and my back yard is full of corn.
I've got four cases, tomorrow at that County Jail,
I've got four cases, tomorrow at that County Jail,
And two is for my whiskey, and two is for my forfeit bail.
Now the judge he said, put a padlock on my door,
The judge he said, put a padlock on my door,
So I can't sell my whiskey, and I can't bootleg no more.
Judge, if I had a thousand dollars, I would take my way,
If I had one thousand dollars, Judge I'd take my way,
And I would make your whole town, sloppy drunk one day.
Next time you 'rrest me, you'd better put me in a cell,
Next time you 'rrest me, jailer put me in your cell,
'Cause the more you 'rrest me, more whiskey I can sell.
SWEET MAN, SWEET MAN
Sweet man, sweet man, what make your kinky head so hard?
Sweet man, sweet man, what make your kinky head so hard?
And I would come to see you, but your woman is got me barred.
He caught the Frisco, he caught the Frisco, and I just can't keep from cryin',
He caught the Frisco, he caught the Frisco, and I just can't keep from cryin',
And if he don't come back, I will lose my worried mind.
He is a rambler, he is a rambler, and he is never satisfied,
He is a rambler, he is a rambler, and he is never satisfied,
And I know he was a rambler, when he caught that train to ride.
I'm goin' to find him, I'm goin' to find him, with my smokin' Forty-Five,
I'm goin' to find him, I'm goin' to find him, with my smokin' Forty-Five,
'Cause you know I love that man and, he's so hard to find.
He's gone, he's gone, and he's forever on my mind,
He's gone, he's gone, and he's forever on my mind,
And I want to see my man, 'cause he's so good and kind.
SWEET PATUNIA
Let me tell you, what sweet patunia do,
Take your money and stay all night from you,
And I'm wild about my 'tunie, the onliest thing I crave,
Wild about my 'tunie, the onliest thing I crave,
Sweet patunia's gonna follow me to my grave.
I went up on the mountain, looked down in the deep blue sea,
A big fat man was comin' to play with me,
And I'm wild about my 'tunie, the onliest thing I crave,
Wild about my 'tunie, the onliest thing I crave,
Sweet patunia's gonna follow me to my grave.
If I could holler, like a mountain jack,
Go out on the mountain call, sweet patunies back,
'Cause I'm wild about my 'tunie, onliest thing I crave,
Wild about my 'tunie, onliest thing I crave,
Sweet patunia's gonna follow me to my grave.
Sweet patunia's a man, I can't understand,
He got ways like a boy, but he's a full grown man,
And I'm wild about my 'tunie, the onliest thing I crave,
Wild about my 'tunie, the onliest thing I crave,
Sweet patunia's gonna follow me to my grave.
T & N O BLUES
The train I ride, is eighteen coaches long,
Train I ride, eighteen coaches long,
And the man that I love, done been here and gone.
I hate to hear, that T & N O blow,
I hate to hear, the T & N O blow,
Puts my mind on a wander, make me want to go.
Gon' beat the train to the crossin', goin' to burn the trestle down,
Beat the train to the crossin', goin' to burn that trestle down,
That's the onliest way, I can keep my man in town.
He's a railroad man, and he sure do love to ride,
He's a railroad man, sure do love to ride,
If he don't ride that T N & O, he sure ain't satisfied.
Gon' fall out on my knees, pray to the Lord above,
Fall on my knees, pray to the Lord above,
Please send me back, the only man that I love.
THAT'S WHAT MY BABY LIKES
I'm a long tall mama, they call me a chocolate brown,
Give me two drinks of whiskey, and you can see me clown,
That's what my baby likes, that's what my baby likes,
And he is crazy about me, and he do let me have my fun.
I'm five feet standin', six feet layin' down,
And I'm a pig-meat woman, from my head on down,
That's what my baby likes, that's what my baby likes,
And he is crazy about me, and he do let me have my fun.
Sometime I think, I will quit my man,
Then again I'm scared, he'll raise some sin,
I got what my baby likes, I got what my baby likes,
And he is crazy about it, and he do let me have my fun.
I don't care how bad luck, come and go,
My daddy he brings me, his railroad dough,
That's what my baby likes, that's what my baby likes,
He is crazy about me, and he do let me have my fun.
I fix his supper, and I don't be late,
And I serve it to him, like servin' jelly on a plate,
That's what my baby likes, that's what my baby likes,
And he is crazy about it, and he do let me have my fun.
I gets red ripe tomatoes, buy me a T-bone steak,
And if I fix it like he tell me, he'll give me a Cadillac Eight,
That's what my baby likes, that's what my baby likes,
He's crazy about me, and he do let me have my fun.
THEY AIN'T WALKING NO MORE
Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down,
I can't make my livin', around this town,
'Cause tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
I said tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And I've got to make my livin', don't care where I go.
I need shoes on my feet, clothes on my back,
Get tired of walkin' these streets, all dressed in black,
But tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
I said tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And I need four or five good tricks, standin' in front of my door.
Peace have mercy, bad luck's on my lead,
Four or five good tricks is all the money I need,
But tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
Tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And I can't get a break, don't care where I go.
I got a store on the corner, sellin' stuff cheap,
I got a market 'cross the street, where I sell my meat,
But tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
I said tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And I can't get a break, don't care where I go.
This way of livin', sure is hard,
Duckin' and dodgin', the Cadillac Squad,
But tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
I said tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And if you think I'm lyin', follow me to my door.
TIRED AS I CAN BE
I worked all the winter, and I worked all the fall,
I've got to wait until spring, to get my ashes hauled,
And now I'm tired, tired as I can be,
And I'm goin' back home, where these blues don't worry me.
I'm a free-hearted woman, I let you spend my dough,
And you never did win, you kept on askin' for more,
And now I'm tired, I ain't gon' do it no more,
And when I leave you this time, you won't know where I go.
My house rent's due, they done put me outdoors,
And here you ridin' 'round here, in a V-8 Ford,
I done got tired, of your lowdown dirty ways,
And your sisters say you've been dirty, dirty all your days.
I never will forget, when the times was good,
I caught you standin' out yonder, in the Piney Woods,
And now I'm tired, tired as I can be,
And I'm goin' back South, to my used-to-be.
TRICKS AIN'T WALKING NO MORE
Times is done got hard, money's done got scarce,
Stealin' and robbin', is goin' to take place.
'Cause tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
I said tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And I'm going to rob somebody, if I don't make me some dough.
I'm goin' to do just like a blind man, stand and beg for change,
Until these 'rresting officers, change my trickin' name,
'Cause tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
I said tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And I've got to make my livin', don't care where I go.
I'm going to learn these walkin' tricks, what it's all about,
I'm goin' to get them in my house, and ain't goin' to let them out,
'Cause tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
I said tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And I can't make no money, don't care where I go.
I got up this morning, with the risin' sun,
Been walkin' all day, and I ain't caught a one,
'Cause tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
I said tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And I can't make a dime, don't care where I go.
I got up this morning, feelin' tough,
I got to calling my tricks, in the rough, rough, rough,
'Cause tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
I said tricks ain't walkin', tricks ain't walkin' no more,
And I've got to change my luck, if I have to move next door.
TROUBLED MIND
I had a good man, and now my man is gone,
I had a good man and, now my man is gone,
And I pray to the Lord, that my man will come back home.
Now I don't feel so good Lord, in this world alone,
Don't feel so good, in this world alone,
And I've been had the blues Lord, ever since my man been gone.
I was layin' on my pillow, while the rain beat on my window sill,
I was layin' on my pillow, while the rain beat on my window sill,
And I was wonderin' if my man, Lord loved me still.
I feel so worried, down-hearted and blue,
I feel so worried, down-hearted and blue,
Just because daddy, I can't get no mail from you.
Trouble trouble, hangin' over my head,
Trouble trouble, hangin' over my head,
And it's the worst old blues Lord, that I ever had.
WALKIN' BLUES
I been walkin', I been walkin', I been walkin' all night with the blues,
I been walkin', I been walkin', walkin' all night long,
Tryin' to find some place, I can call my happy home.
They say that bad luck and trouble, they both walk hand in hand,
They say that bad luck and trouble, both walk hand in hand,
And you never had no bad luck, until you lost your man.
My baby put me out, put me out for somebody else,
My baby's put me out, for somebody else,
But that's alright, I brought it on myself.
You can mistreat me now, but you can't when I go home
You can mistreat me now-ooh, but you can't when I go home
And I'm gonna tell everybody, that you just won't leave me alone.
Lord Lord Lord, baby you know you done me wrong,
Lord Lord Lord, daddy you done me wrong,
Now I'm a poor motherless girl, and I ain't got no happy home.
WAR TIME MAN BLUES
Good luck was in my family, but bad luck knockin' on my door,
Good luck was in my family, bad luck is knockin' on my door,
A woman took my best man, and I can't live here no more.
It ain't no right in no man, wants to put a good gal down,
It ain't no right in no man, wants to put a good gal down,
If she ain't got nobody, and the poor gal can't get a dime.
Asides: Oh play it, Papa Charlie, play it.
Whip that banjo.
A workin' man is my livin', but gambler is all I crave,
Workin' man is my livin', gambler is all I crave,
These gamblin' men, just want to drive me to my grave.
A workin' man's my livin' Lord, rounder is what I crave,
My man's born in the war time, and brought up like a slave,
Fussin' and fightin', is all my gambler craves.
WHISKEY SELLING WOMAN
Aside: Aah, I'm gettin' sloppy drunk today
I feel superstitious, something's goin' on wrong,
I feel superstitious, something's goin' on wrong,
I've got my house full of beer, and my backyard's full of corn.
I've got four cases, tomorrow at that County Jail,
I've got four cases, tomorrow at that County Jail,
And two is for my whiskey, and two is for my forfeit bail.
The judge he said, put a padlock on my door,
The judge he said, put a padlock on my door,
And I can't sell whiskey, and I can't give parties no more.
I will sell my whiskey, to the Chief Police in town,
I will sell my whiskey, to the Chief Police in town,
And if he don't like my whiskey, he's welcome to ride me down.
If I had a thousand dollars, Judge I'd take my way,
If I had a thousand dollars, Judge I'd take my way, (Hey-hey),
And I would make this whole town, sloppy drunk one day.
I would build me a still on, every street in this town,
I would build me a still, on every street in this town,
And I wouldn't 'low a police, fifteen miles around.
WOMEN WON'T NEED NO MEN
Other women singin' blues, tellin' mens they feel so bad,
Other women singin' blues, tellin' mens they feel so bad,
The blues is something, I ain't ever had.
What make a woman have the blues, she knows a tommie's got her man,
What make a woman have the blues, when she knows a tommie's got her man,
Just get you four or five good men, woman and do the best you can.
A weak-minded woman, will let her rounders carry her down,
Weak-minded woman, let her rounders carry her down,
And when she get in bad, her rounder can't be found.
Aside: I love my man. He's got me down today. But believe me,
sweet mama's startin' a brand new way.
Comin' a time, women ain't gon' need no men,
Comin' a time, women ain't gon' need no men,
Just like the water, money will come rollin' in.
Mens is like streetcars, runnin' every day,
Mens is like streetcars, runnin' every day,
Miss one now, get another'n right away.
YOU GOT TO DIE SOME DAY
You may be beautiful, but baby you've got to die some day,
You may be beautiful, but baby you've got to die some day,
And you goin' to reap what you sow, for treatin' me this-a-way.
When the sun rose this mornin', I was layin' in my floor cryin',
When the sun rose this mornin', I was layin' in my floor cryin',
And I've done got tired, of bein' dogged all the time.
Tell me baby, what fault do you find of me?
Tell me baby, what fault do you find of me?
You don't treat me like, I'm no human being.
Love hides all faults, make you do things you don't want to do,
Love hides all faults, make you do things you don't want to do,
When you love someone, and that someone don't love you.