The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #6336   Message #36636
Posted By: Allan s.
31-Aug-98 - 08:03 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Standing on the corner not doing any harm
Subject: that's how they treat the bums at whalley av jail
Has anyone heard of the song below? I learned it in the 1930's THe last line refers to THe Whalley Ave. jail which is in New Haven,CT. Of course the name of any Jail could be zipped in.

I was standing on the corner not doing any harm
When along commes a copper and takes me by the arm
He takes me round the corner and rings a little bell
Along comes the ding dong going like hell

six 'clock in the morning I look upon the wall
the roaches and the bed bugs are having a game of ball
the score is seven to nothing and the roaches are ahead
when the bedbugs hit a home run that knocks be out of bed

7 o'clock in the morning the jailer comes around
he gives you bread and butter that weighs half a pound
the coffee's like tobacco juice the bread is hard and stale
thats the way they treat the bums at the Whalley av.jail