MR CRUMP DON'T LIKE IT
(Frank Stokes)

Mr Crump don't like it, ain't gonna have it here (x3)
No barrelhouse women, lord, drinking no beer
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't gonna have it here

I'm told the Baptist sister jumped up and began to shout (x3)
'Brother, I'm so glad that bad ol' whisky voted out
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't gonna have it here

I'm told the Methodist sister jumped up and she had a fit (x3)
She was doggone sure ol' whisky ain't gone yet
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't gonna have it here

I'm told the Presbyterian sister turned 'round and began to grin (x3)
Lord, I believe she fell out to barrelhousing again
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't gonna have it here

I'm told the deacon looked around, 'Sister, why'n the world ain't you heard?' (x3)
I'd rather see you get drunk than wear a hobble skirt'
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't gonna have it here

You don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree (x3)
You don't like my fruit, let my orchard be
Mr Crump don't like it, ain't gonna have it here

Source: Transcription from Frank Stokes 'Mr Crump Don't Like It' Pm 12552, recorded in Chicago circa September 1927 [Recorded with Dan Sane as Beale Street Sheiks). Reissued on Frank Stokes 'Creator of the Memphis Blues' Yazoo CD 1056.

E.H. Crump was a legendary Mayor of Memphis and one of the most (in)famous of the great urban political bosses. He first made his name in 1908, trying to stamp out vice on Beale Street. He had brief success, but the place was soon jumping again. As a verse by W.C. Handy had it:

Mr Crump don' 'low no easy riders here
Mr Crump don' 'low no easy riders here
I don't care what Mr Crump don' 'low
Gonna barrelhouse anyhow
Mr Crump can go catch himself some air

The Crump political machine came to run not only Memphis but the entire State of Tennessee for almost 40 years. Giles Oakley tells an interesting anecdote: 'It is said that when a Pope died, two blacks were overheard discussing it. "Who was he?" "Oh, a big fellow very important – in a county east 'o heah". "He died, you say? Who do you reckon Mr Crump is goin' to put in his place?"' [Oakley 'The Devil's Music' p 146]. Crump's prohibition plank was the subject of Stokes' signature tune, 'Mr Crump Don't Like It'.

PS.