There's a bit more to this song than meets the eye, or ear.

Here's what the ever-evolving Wikipedia has to say:

"Hesitation Blues" is a popular song adapted from a traditional tune. One version was published by Billy Smythe, Scott Middleton, and Art Gillham. Another was published by W.C. Handy as "Hesitating Blues". Because the tune is traditional, many artists have taken credit as writer, frequently adapting the lyrics of one of the two published versions."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesitation_Blues

And there is a terrific post over at Weenie Campbell with lyrics, sample sheet music and links to recordings: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=10228.0

Lastly, Jesse Fuller sings an interesting version on the video from his final concert in 1971:

https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/191357

Onward!