Lyr Req: Standing on the corner not doing any harm

Subject: that's how they treat the bums at whalley av jail
From: Allan s.
Date: 31 Aug 98 - 08:03 PM

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

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Standing on the corner not doing any harm
From: GUEST,Kristine
Date: 08 Dec 19 - 05:49 AM

Yes, my Dad used to sing this to me in the 1970s.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Standing on the corner not doing any harm
From: GUEST,Kristine
Date: 08 Dec 19 - 05:50 AM

His lyrics were a little different.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Standing on the corner not doing any harm
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 08 Dec 19 - 06:00 AM

Here's a bunch of variations, etc. http://rolandanderson.se/bedbugs.php

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Standing on the corner not doing any harm
From: GUEST
Date: 16 May 22 - 04:20 PM

My dad used to sing this when I was little, in the 50's! Mom would always yell at him for teaching us girls that kind of garbage! Loved finding it.