MEAN OLD BEDBUG BLUES
As recorded by Lonnie Johnson, 1927.

Man, a bedbug sure is evil; he don't mean me no good. (2x)
He thinks I'm a woodpecker, and he takes me for a chunk of wood.

When I lay down at night, I wonder how can a poor man sleep (2x)
When some holding your hand while the other ones eat your feet.

Bedbugs big as a jackass will bite you and stand and grin, (2x)
And drink up all the bedbug poison, then come back and bite you again.

Something was moanin' in the corner; I tried my best to see.
Something was moanin' in the corner; then I walked over to see.
It was a mother bedbug prayin' to the good Lord for some more to eat.

I have to set up all night long; my feet can't touch the floor, (2x)
'Cause the mean old bedbugs told me that I can't sleep there no more.


[Verse 1 transcribed as sung, but it makes more sense as "He thinks he's a woodpecker..." and some others sing it that way.]

[Bessie Smith sings similar lyrics, but she substitutes this last verse:]

Got myself a wishbone; bedbugs done got my goat.
Got myself a wishbone; wish they'd cut their own doggone throat.

[Bobby Leecan & Robert Cooksey add this verse:]

I came home this mornin', staggered in my door. (2x)
Bedbugs met me, said, "Hot papa, you can't come in here no more."

[The Rhythmakers (of which Fats Waller was a member) sing this additional verse:]

I had a quart o' moonshine layin' on my dresser drawer. (2x)
Two big bedbugs come and drink it and bit me 'cause there wasn't no more.

[Other early recordings were made by Betty Gray, Furry Lewis, Kitty Waters, and Vic Lewis & Jack Parnell's Jazzmen.]