Lonnie Johnson recorded 2 versions. Sometimes the title is given as simply "Crowing Rooster":


CROWING ROOSTER BLUES


I. As recorded by Lonnie Johnson, 1928.


What makes a rooster crow ev'ry mornin' 'fore day? (2x)
To let the pimps an' ram'lers know that the workin' man is on his way.

You can always tell when your woman's man has come to town. (2x)
She will put on her best teddies an' dress, an' steal herself the sleepin' gown.

Men, don't you know there's no way to keep your sweet woman home? (2x)
Oh, they always some other good man to beat you doin' what you tryin' to count on.

If you buy your woman plenty silk things, don't buy them all in one time. (2x)
She will get ramblin' in her brain and some triflin' man on her mind.


II. As recorded by Lonnie Johnson, 1941.


What makes a rooster crow ev'ry mornin' 'fore day? (2x)
To let the pimps know that the workin' man is on his way

We up before sunrise, slavin' sixteen hours a day. (2x)
We pay our house rent and grocery bill, and the pimps get the rest of our pay.

Men, we got to get together; something's got to be done.
We make the money while the pimps really have the fun,
And while there's only house rent and grocery bill, no mon, no fun.

Men, can't you see, you can't keep a whole woman by yourself? (2x)
If your best friend can't get your woman, he'll frame her for somebody else.

Something about some women that I never could understand:
Something about some women that I never will understand:
They're not satisfied with a good husband; they want some other woman's man.