Bessie Smith

"Up in Harlem every Saturday night
When the highbrows get together its just so right
They all congregate at an all night hop
And what they do is Oo Bop Bee Dap
Oh Hannah Brown from way cross town
Gets full of coin and starts breaking 'em down
And at the break of day
You can hear ol' Hannah say
'Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer.
Send me again. I don't care.
I feel just like I wanna clown.
Give the piano player a drink because he's bringing me down!
He's gotta rhyme, yeah! When he stomps his feet.
He sends me right off to sleep.
Check all your razors and your guns.
We gonna be arrested when the wagon comes.
I wanna pigfoot and a bottle of beer.
Send me cause I don't care.
Blame me cause I don't care.
Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer.
Send me again, I don't care.
I feel just like I wanna clown.
Give the piano player a drink because he's bringing me down.
He's got rhyme, Yeah, when he stomps his feet.
He sends me right off to sleep.
Check all your razors and your guns.
Do the Shim-Sham Shimmy 'til the rising sun.
Give me a reaper and a gang of gin.
Play me cause I'm in my sin.
Blame me cause I'm full of gin.'"

I hate to see de evenin' sun go down,
Hate to see de evenin' sun go down
'Cause ma baby, he done lef' dis town.
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today,
Feel tomorrow like I feel today,
I'll pack my trunk, make ma git away.

Saint Louis woman wid her diamon' rings
Pulls dat man 'roun' by her apron strings.
'Twant for powder an' for store-bought hair,
De man ah love would not gone nowhere, nowhere.
Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
That man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.

Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Col'nel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day ah die.

Been to de gypsy to get ma fortune tole,
To de gypsy, done got ma fortune tole,
Cause I'm most wile 'bout ma Jelly Roll.
Gypsy done tole me, "Don't you wear no black."
Yes, she done told me, "Don't you wear no black.

Go to Saint Louis, you can win him back."
Help me to Cairo, make Saint Louis by maself,
Git to Cairo, find ma old friend Jeff,
Gwine to pin maself close to his side;
If ah flag his train, I sho' can ride.
Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
That man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.

Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Colonel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day I die.

You ought to see dat stovepipe brown of mine,
Lak he owns de Dimon' Joseph line,
He'd make a cross-eyed o'man go stone blin'.
Blacker than midnight, teeth lak flags of truce,
Blackest man in de whole of Saint Louis,
Blacker de berry, sweeter am de juice.
About a crap game, he knows a pow'ful lot,
But when worktime comes, he's on de dot.
Gwine to ask him for a cold ten-spot,
What it takes to git it, he's cert'nly got.

Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
Dat man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Col'nel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day ah die.

A black-headed gal makes a freight train jump the track, said a black-headed
Gal makes a freight train jump the track,
But a long tall gal makes a preacher ball the jack.

Lawd, a blonde-headed woman makes a good man leave the town, I said
Blonde-headed woman makes a good man leave the town,
But a red-headed woman makes a boy slap his papa down.

Oh, ashes to ashes and dust to dust, I said ashes to ashes and dust to dust,
If my blues don't get you, my jazzing must.

When it rained five days and the sky turned dark as night
When it rained five days and the sky turned dark as night
Then trouble's takin' place in the lowlands at night

I woke up this mornin', can't even get out of my door
I woke up this mornin', can't even get out of my door
There's enough trouble to make a poor girl wonder where she wanna go

Then they rowed a little boat about five miles cross the pond
Then they rowed a little boat about five miles cross the pond
I packed all my clothes, throwed 'em in and they rowed me along

When it thunders and lightnin' and the wind begins to blow
When it thunders and lightnin' and the wind begins to blow
There's thousands of people ain't got no place to go

And I went and stood up on some high old lonesome hill
And I went and stood up on some high old lonesome hill
Then looked down on the house were I used to live

Backwater blues done called me to pack my things and go
Backwater blues done called me to pack my things and go
'Cause my house fell down and I can't live there no more

Mmm, I can't move no more
Mmm, I can't move no more
There ain't no place for a poor old girl to go

How come I'm blue as can be, how come I need sympathy
I know what's troubling me, listen and you'll see?
Because the good man that I got, left me all alone
Woke up this morning at four, when I heard him slamming my door
Did you ever wake up on a frosty morning and discover your good man gone
Did you ever wake up on a frosty morning and discover your good man gone
If you did you'll understand, why I'm singing sad moanful songs
Well, he didn't provide and he wasn't handsome, so he might not appeal to you?
Well, he didn't provide and he wasn't handsome, so he might not appeal to you
But he gave me plenty loving and I never had to beg him too?
Now my damper is down and my fire ain't burning and a chill's all around my bed
My damper is down and my fire ain't burning and a chill's all around my bed?
When you lose the man you love, then a gal is just as good as dead

Don't bring no ghosts in the front, hurry 'em round to the backdoor!?
This house is so haunted with dead men I can't lose?
This house is so haunted with dead men I can't lose
And a sneaky old feeling gives me those haunted house blues
I can't sleep no more, I done lost my appetite
I can't sleep no more, done lost my appetite
'Cause my mistreating daddy hangs around me day and night?
He moans when I'm sleeping, he wakes me at 2 a.m.?
He moans when I'm sleeping, he wakes me at 2 a.m.?
And he makes me swear I'll have no other man but him?
Now I'm so worried and I'm blue all the time?
Now I'm so worried and I'm blue all the time?
Go tell the undertaker to fix that old coffin of mine
Lord, help us to get right!
I'm scared to stay here, I'm scared to leave this town
I'm scared to stay here, I'm scared to leave this town?
But a feeling just tells me to burn this house on down?
Tear this house on down

Madam Buff's was quite deluxe
Servants by the score
Footmen at each door
Butlers and maids galore

But one day Sam, her kitchen man
Gave in his notice, he's through
She cried, "Oh Sam, don't go
It'll grieve me if you do"

I love his cabbage gravy, his hash
Crazy 'bout his succotash
I can't do without my kitchen man

Wild about his turnip top
Like the way he warms my chop
I can't do without my kitchen man

Anybody else can leave
And I would only laugh
But he means too much to me
And you ain't heard the half

Oh, his jelly roll is so nice and hot
Never fails to touch the spot
I can't do without my kitchen man

His frankfurters are oh so sweet
How I like his sausage meat
I can't do without my kitchen man

Oh, how that boy can open clam
No one else is can touch my ham
I can't do without my kitchen man

When I eat his doughnuts
All I leave is the hole
Any time he wants to
Why, he can use my sugar bowl

Oh, his baloney's really worth a try
Never fails to satisfy
I can't do without my kitchen man

Standin' in the rain and ain't a drop fell on me
Standin' in the rain and ain't a drop fell on me
My clothes is all wet but my flesh is as dry as can be
It can rain all day, I ain't got no place to go
It can rain all day, I ain't got no place to go
Because it's cold outside in that ice and snow

If it rains five days that won't give me no blues
If it rains five days that won't give me no blues
I've got my raincoat and hat, umbrella, boots and shoes
Rain, rain, rain don't rain on me all day
Rain, rain, rain don't rain on me all day
'Cause if I get too wet, I've got to go into the house and stay

Back in Black Mountain, a child will smack your face
Back in Black Mountain, a child will smack your face
Babies cryin' for liquor, and all the birds sing bass

Black Mountain people are bad as they can be
Black Mountain people are bad as they can be
They uses gunpowder just to sweeten their tea

Back in Black Mountain, can't keep a man in jail
Back in Black Mountain, can't keep a man in jail
If the jury finds him guilty, the judge'll throw they bail

Had a man in Black Mountain, sweetest man in town
Had a man in Black Mountain, the sweetest man in town
He met a city gal, and he throwed me down

I'm bound for Black Mountain, me and my razor and my gun
Lord, I'm bound for Black Mountain, me and my razor and gun
I'm gonna shoot him if he stands still, and cut him if he runs

Down in Black Mountain, they all shoot quick and straight
Down in Black Mountain, they all shoot quick and straight
The bullet'll get you, if you start dodgin' too late

Got the devil in my soul, and I'm full of bad booze
Got the devil in my soul, and I'm full of bad booze
I'm out here for trouble, I've got the Black Mountain blues

Note: I'm unsure of the underlined/blank lyrics-- any idea?

to provide money for someone's bail is to "throw" their (they) bail.

It's a long, long lane that has no turning
And it's a fire that always keeps on burning
Mister devil down below
Pitchfork in his hand
And that's where you are going to go
Do you understand?
Devil's gonna git you
Devil's gonna git you
Oh, the devil's gonna git you
Man, just as sure as you's bornDevil's gonna git you,
Devil's gonna git you,
Oh, the devil's gonna git you,
The way you're carryin' onYou go away, stay for weeks
On your doggone spree
Come back home, get in my bed
And turn your back on me
Oh the devil's gonna git you
I mean the devil's gonna git you
Man the devil' sgonna git you
Sure as you's bornDirty two-timer, dirty two-timer,
Dirty two-timer, you ain't coming cleanOh the devil's gonna git you
I mean the devil's gonna git you
Oh the devil's gonna git you
You know what I meanI don't want no two-time stuff
From my regular man
Don't want nothing that's been used
'Cause it's second-hand
The devil's gonna git you
Oh the devil's gonna git you
Man the devil's gonna git you
Sure as you're born to die

Verse 1

I woke up this morning
with awful aching head

(Repeat)

My new man had left me
Just a room and an empty bed

Bought me a coffee grinder,
Got the best one I could find

(Repeat)

So he could grind my coffee
Cause he had a brand new grind

Verse 2

He's a deep-sea diver,
With a stroke that can't go wrong

(Repeat)

He can touch the bottom,
And his wind holds out so long

He knows how to thrill me
And he thrills me night and day

Oh'

(Repeat)

He's got a new way of loving,
Almost takes my breath away

Verse 3

Oh, he's got that sweet something
And I told my girlfriend Lou

(Repeat)

But the way she's ravin'
She must have gone and tried it too

When my bed get empty
Make me feel awful mean and blue

(Repeat)

My springs are getting' rusty
Sleepin' single like I do

Verse 4

Bought him a blanket
Pillow for his head at night

(Repeat)

And I bought him a mattress
So he could lay just right

He came home one evening
With his spirit way up high

(Repeat)

What he had to give me
Made me ring my hands and cry

Verse 5

He give me a lesson
That I never had before

(Repeat)

When he got through teachin' me
From my elbow down was sore

He boiled my first cabbage
And he made it awful hot

(Repeat)

When he put in the bacon
It overflowed the pot

Verse 6

When you get good lovin'
Never go and spread the news

It'll build up to cross you
And leave you with them empty bed blues

I woke up this morning with a awful aching head
I woke up this morning with a awful aching head
My new man had left me, just a room and a empty bedBought me a coffee grinder that's the best one I could find
Bought me a coffee grinder that's the best one I could find
Oh he could grind my coffee, cause he had a brand new grindHe's a deep sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong
He's a deep sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong
He can stay at the bottom and his wind holds out so longHe knows how to thrill me and he thrills me night and day
Oh he knows how to thrill me, he thrills me night and day
He's got a new way of loving, almost takes my breath awayLord he's got that sweet somethin' and I told my girlfriend Lou
He's got that sweet somethin' and I told my girlfriend Lou
From the way she's raving, she must have gone and tried it too
When my bed get empty make me feel awful mean and blue
When my bed get empty make me feel awful mean and blue
My springs are getting rusty, sleeping single like I doBought him a blanket, pillow for his head at night
Bought him a blanket, pillow for his head at night
Then I bought him a mattress so he could lay just rightHe came home one evening with his beret way up high
He came home one evening with his beret way up high
What he had to give me, make me wring my hands and cryHe give me a lesson that I never had before
He give me a lesson that I never had before
When he got to teachin' me, from my elbow down was soreHe poured my first cabbage and he made it awful hot
He poured my first cabbage and he made it awful hot
When he put in the bacon, it overflowed the pot
-

If your man is nice and sweet
Serving you lots of young pigmeat
Oh yes, keep it to yourselfIf you know you are standing fast
Got him worried where you at
Oh yes, keep it to yourselfHe don't fall for no one
He don't call for no one
He don't give nobody none of his L.O.V.E.
Cause it's yoursIf your man is full of action
Givin' you lots of satisfaction
Oh yes, keep it to yourselfIf you gotta have a kiss and a sweet
Makes me week way down in my knees
Oh yes, keep it to yourselfIf he tries to treat you right
Give him lovin' every night
Oh yes, keep it to yourselfHe don't fall for no one
He don't call for no one
He don't give nobody none of his L.O.V.E.
Cause it's yoursWith your man you got the best go
Don't broadcast it on nobody's radio!
Oh yes, keep it to yourself.

Madam Buff's was quite deluxe
Servants by the score
Footmen at each door
Butlers and maids galore

But one day Sam, her kitchen man
Gave in his notice, he's through
She cried, "Oh Sam, don't go
It'll grieve me if you do"

I love his cabbage gravy, his hash
Crazy 'bout his succotash
I can't do without my kitchen man

Wild about his turnip top
Like the way he warms my chop
I can't do without my kitchen man

Anybody else can leave
And I would only laugh
But he means too much to me
And you ain't heard the half

Oh, his jelly roll is so nice and hot
Never fails to touch the spot
I can't do without my kitchen man

His frankfurters are oh so sweet
How I like his sausage meat
I can't do without my kitchen man

Oh, how that boy can open clam
No one else is can touch my ham
I can't do without my kitchen man

When I eat his doughnuts
All I leave is the hole
Any time he wants to
Why, he can use my sugar bowl

Oh, his baloney's really worth a try
Never fails to satisfy
I can't do without my kitchen man

"Stay away from me 'cause I'm in my sin.
Stay away from me 'cause I'm in my sin.
If this place gets raided, it's just me and my gin.

Don't try me nobody, oh, you will never win.
Don't try me nobody 'cause you will never win.
I'll fight the army, navy just me and my gin.

Any bootlegger sure is a pal of mine.
Any bootlegger sure is a pal of mine.
'Cause a good ol' bottle o' gin will get it all the time.

When I'm feeling high ain't nothing I won't do.
When I'm feeling high ain't nothing I won't do.
Get me full of liquor and I'll sure be nice to you.

I don't want no pork and I don't need no beer.
I don't want no pork and I don't need no beer.
I don't want no porkchop just give me gin instead."

Once I lived the life of a millionaire
Spending my money, I didn't care
I carried my friends out for a good time
Bying bootleg liquor, champagne and wineThen I began to fall so low
I didn't have a friend, and no place to go
So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again
I'm gonna hold on to it till them eagle's greenNobody knows you when you down and out
In my pocket not one penny
And my friends I haven't any
But If I ever get on my feet again
Then I'll meet my long lost friend
It's mighty strange, without a doubt
Nobody knows you when you down and out
I mean when you down and outMmmmmmmm.... when you're down and out
Mmmmmmmm... not one penny
And my friends I haven't any
Mmmmmmmm... Well I felt so low
Nobody wants me round their door
Mmmmmmmm... Without a doubt,
No man can use you wen you down and out
I mean when you down and out

Mister Rich Man, Rich Man
Open up your heart and mind
Mister Rich Man, Rich Man
Open up your heart and mind
Give the poor man a chance
Help stop these hard, hard time

While you livin' in your mansion
You don't know what hard time means
While you livin' in your mansion
You don't know what hard time means
Oh, workin' man's wife is starvin'
Your wife is livin' like a queen

Please, listen to my pleadin'
'Cause I can't stand these hard time long
Oh, listen to my pleadin'
Can't stand these hard time long
They'll make an honest man do things
That you know is wrong

All man fought all the battles
All man would fight again today
All man fought all the battles
All man would fight again today
He would do anything you ask him
In the name of the U.S.A

Now the war is over
All man must live the same as you
Now the war is over
All man must live the same as you
If it wasn't for the poor man
Mister Rich Man what would you do?

I had a man for fifteen years
Give him his room and board
Once he was like a Cadillac
Now he's like an old worn out Ford
He never brought me a lousy dime
And put it in my hand
So there'll be some changes from now on
According to my planHe's got to get it, bring it, and put it right here
Or else he's gonna keep it out there
If he must steal it, beg it, or borrow it somewhere
Long as he gets it, I don't care
I'm tired of fryin' pork chops
To grease his fat lips
And he has to find another place
For to park his old hips
He must get it, and bring it, and put it right here
Or else he's gonna keep it out thereThe bee gets the honey, and brings it to the corn
Else he's kicked out of his home sweet home
To show you that they brings it, watch the dog and the cat
Everything even brings it, from a mule to a mare
The rooster gets the worm, and brings it to the hen
That oughta be a tip to all you no-good men
The groundhog even brings it and puts it in his hole
So my man has got to bring it, doggone his soulHe's got to get it, bring it, and put it right here
Or else he's gonna keep it out there
If he must steal it, beg it, or borr' it somewhere
Long as he gets it child, I don't care
I'm gonna tell him like the Chinaman: when you don't bring 'em check
You don't get 'em laundry, if you break 'em down neck
You got to get it, bring it, and put it right here
Or else you gonna keep it out there

Captain, tell your men to get on board
I sure see 'em just pull into another shoreI'm dreary in mind and I'm so worried in heart
Oh the best of friends sho' has got to partBlow your whistle captain, so your men'll know what to do
Blow your whistle captain, so your men'll know what to do
When a woman gets dreary ain't no tellin' what she won't doIt's cloudy outdoors as can be
Oh it's cloudy as can be
That's the time I need my good man with meIt's rainin' and it's stromin' on the sea
It's rainin', it's stormin' on the sea
I feel like somebody has shipwrecked poor me

Standin' in the rain and ain't a drop fell on me
Standin' in the rain and ain't a drop fell on me
My clothes is all wet but my flesh is as dry as can be
It can rain all day, I ain't got no place to go
It can rain all day, I ain't got no place to go
Because it's cold outside in that ice and snow

If it rains five days that won't give me no blues
If it rains five days that won't give me no blues
I've got my raincoat and hat, umbrella, boots and shoes
Rain, rain, rain don't rain on me all day
Rain, rain, rain don't rain on me all day
'Cause if I get too wet, I've got to go into the house and stay

Papa, papa, you in a good man's way
Papa, papa, you in a good man's way
I can find one better than you any time of day

You ain't no good so you better haul your freight
You ain't no good, you better haul your freight
Mama wants the live wire, papa, you can take the gate

I'm a red hot woman just full of flamin' youth
I'm a red hot woman just full of flamin' youth
You can't cool me, daddy, you no good, that's the truth

All my time I wasted havin' you to bother me
All my time I wasted havin' you to bother me
You give me the willingness, now I'm glad I'm free

I'm one woman, don't want no, no good man
Yes, I'm one woman, don't want no, no good man
You just like a worn out badly be neglected thing

Yo, you've done failed, all your pep done gone
Yo, you've done failed, all your pep done gone
Pick up that suitcase, man, and travel on

Loving is the thing I crave
For your love I'll be your slave
You gotta give me some, yes give me some
Can't you hear me pleading, you gotta give me someSaid mister Jones to old butcher Pete,
I want a piece of your good old meat
You gotta give me some, oh give me some
I crave your round steak, you gotta give me someSweet as candy in a candy shop
Is just your sweet sweet lollypop
You gotta give me some, please give me some
I love all day suckers, you gotta give me someTo the milkman I heard Mary scream
Said she wanted a lots of cream
You gotta give me some, oh give me some
Catch it when you come sir, you gotta give me someHear my cryin' on my bended knees
If you wanna put my soul at ease
You gotta give me some, please give me some
Can't stand it any longer, you gotta give me someSeeper called to Pele-Mele, sugar lump
Said I'm going crazy about your hump
You've got to give me some, please give me some
I can't wait eight days, you gotta give me someJaybird said to the peckerwood,
I like to peck like a pecker should
But give me some, yes give me some
I'm crazy about them worms, you've gotta give me some

I hate to see de evenin' sun go down,
Hate to see de evenin' sun go down
'Cause ma baby, he done lef' dis town.
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today,
Feel tomorrow like I feel today,
I'll pack my trunk, make ma git away.

Saint Louis woman wid her diamon' rings
Pulls dat man 'roun' by her apron strings.
'Twant for powder an' for store-bought hair,
De man ah love would not gone nowhere, nowhere.
Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
That man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.

Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Col'nel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day ah die.

Been to de gypsy to get ma fortune tole,
To de gypsy, done got ma fortune tole,
Cause I'm most wile 'bout ma Jelly Roll.
Gypsy done tole me, "Don't you wear no black."
Yes, she done told me, "Don't you wear no black.

Go to Saint Louis, you can win him back."
Help me to Cairo, make Saint Louis by maself,
Git to Cairo, find ma old friend Jeff,
Gwine to pin maself close to his side;
If ah flag his train, I sho' can ride.
Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
That man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.

Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Colonel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day I die.

You ought to see dat stovepipe brown of mine,
Lak he owns de Dimon' Joseph line,
He'd make a cross-eyed o'man go stone blin'.
Blacker than midnight, teeth lak flags of truce,
Blackest man in de whole of Saint Louis,
Blacker de berry, sweeter am de juice.
About a crap game, he knows a pow'ful lot,
But when worktime comes, he's on de dot.
Gwine to ask him for a cold ten-spot,
What it takes to git it, he's cert'nly got.

Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
Dat man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Col'nel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day ah die.

A black-headed gal makes a freight train jump the track, said a black-headed
Gal makes a freight train jump the track,
But a long tall gal makes a preacher ball the jack.

Lawd, a blonde-headed woman makes a good man leave the town, I said
Blonde-headed woman makes a good man leave the town,
But a red-headed woman makes a boy slap his papa down.

Oh, ashes to ashes and dust to dust, I said ashes to ashes and dust to dust,
If my blues don't get you, my jazzing must.

There ain't nothing I can do, or nothing I can say
That folks don't criticize me
But I'm goin' to, do just as I want to anyway
And don't care if they all despise meIf I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean
'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, do, do doIf I go to church on Sunday
Sing the shimmy down on Monday
Ain't nobody's bizness if I do, if I doIf my friend ain't got no money
And I say "take all mine, honey"
'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, do, do doIf I give him my last nickel
And it leaves me in a pickle
'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, if I doThere are _________________ would hit me
Since _______________up and quit me
'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, do, do doI swear I won't call no copper
If I'm beat up by my poppa
'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, if I do

Love, oh love, oh careless love
You've fly through my head like wine
You've wrecked the life of a many poor girl
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine

Love, oh love, oh careless love
In your clutches of desire
You've made me break a many true vow
Then you set my very soul on fire

Love, oh love, oh careless love
All my happiness bereft
You've filled my heart with weary old blues
Now I'm walkin', talkin' to myself

Love, oh love, oh careless love
Trusted you now, it's too late
You've made me throw my old friend down
That's why I sing this song of hate

Love, oh love, oh careless love
Night and day, I weep and moan
You brought the wrong man into this life of mine
For my sins, till judgment I'll atone

Stop rollin' them bones & listen to me;

I had a gamblin' man
he's hard to understand
he just give me worries and goin' around
he was scheming to his dice
couldn't give him no advice
he followed the deal on down

he was a gambler
i mean he was a gambler
and he'd always lay his money down
if he win or if he lose
he would never sing the blues
he followed the deal on down

he took sick the other day
and his bills i had to pay
none of his good friends could be found
not a penny to his name
of course he's not to blame
lord, he followed the deal on down

he was a gambler
yes he was a gambler
and he would always go from town to town
gamblin' life he'd crave
it lays a poor boy in his grave
he followed the deal on down

I done pack my belong
Gonna leave my woes
Goin' to a better place
With a smile upon my face

When that steam boat blows
And that Gulf stream flows
You'll hear me say goodbye
Because there's a reason why

The Gulf of Mexico
Flows in to the Mobile Bay
The Gulf of Mexico
Flows in to the Mobile Bay
I'm gonna let that cool stream of water
Flow over my head someday

Tell me mister mailman
What is on your mind?
Tell me mister mailman
What is on your mind?
If you pass my door
So glad you obliged

My eyes are brown
My teeth are pearly white
My eyes are brown
My teeth are pearly white
Because my skin is dark
Don't mean my heart ain't right

I hate to see de evenin' sun go down,
Hate to see de evenin' sun go down
'Cause ma baby, he done lef' dis town.
Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today,
Feel tomorrow like I feel today,
I'll pack my trunk, make ma git away.

Saint Louis woman wid her diamon' rings
Pulls dat man 'roun' by her apron strings.
'Twant for powder an' for store-bought hair,
De man ah love would not gone nowhere, nowhere.
Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
That man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.

Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Col'nel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day ah die.

Been to de gypsy to get ma fortune tole,
To de gypsy, done got ma fortune tole,
Cause I'm most wile 'bout ma Jelly Roll.
Gypsy done tole me, "Don't you wear no black."
Yes, she done told me, "Don't you wear no black.

Go to Saint Louis, you can win him back."
Help me to Cairo, make Saint Louis by maself,
Git to Cairo, find ma old friend Jeff,
Gwine to pin maself close to his side;
If ah flag his train, I sho' can ride.
Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
That man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.

Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Colonel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day I die.

You ought to see dat stovepipe brown of mine,
Lak he owns de Dimon' Joseph line,
He'd make a cross-eyed o'man go stone blin'.
Blacker than midnight, teeth lak flags of truce,
Blackest man in de whole of Saint Louis,
Blacker de berry, sweeter am de juice.
About a crap game, he knows a pow'ful lot,
But when worktime comes, he's on de dot.
Gwine to ask him for a cold ten-spot,
What it takes to git it, he's cert'nly got.

Got de Saint Louis Blues jes as blue as ah can be.
Dat man got a heart lak a rock cast in the sea.
Or else he wouldn't have gone so far from me. Doggone it!
I loves day man lak a schoolboy loves his pie,
Lak a Kentucky Col'nel loves his mint an' rye.
I'll love ma baby till the day ah die.

A black-headed gal makes a freight train jump the track, said a black-headed
Gal makes a freight train jump the track,
But a long tall gal makes a preacher ball the jack.

Lawd, a blonde-headed woman makes a good man leave the town, I said
Blonde-headed woman makes a good man leave the town,
But a red-headed woman makes a boy slap his papa down.

Oh, ashes to ashes and dust to dust, I said ashes to ashes and dust to dust,
If my blues don't get you, my jazzing must.

When it rained five days and the sky turned dark as night (2x)
Then trouble's taking place in the lowlands tonight.

I woke up this morning, can't even get out of my door (2x)
That's enough trouble to make a poor girl wonder where she want to go.

They rowed a little boat about five miles across the farm (2x)
I packed all of my clothes, throwed them in, and they rowed me along.

When it thundered and lighteninged and the wind began to blow (2x)
There's thousands of people ain't got no place to go.

And I went and stood up on some high old lonesome hill (2x)
And looked down on the house where I used to live.

Back Water Blues done calls me to pack my things and go (2x)
Cause my house fell down, and I can't live there no more.

Mmm, I can't move no more (2x)
There ain't no place for a poor old girl to go.