Check it out on YouTube, too. There are several really good versions there, of which my favorite is by one of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dom Flemons.

It's interesting -- way back 'in the day,' I first learned the song, but I heard that most folkies at the time liked a version in Open G; however, I've never heard it, and don't seem to find it among the YouTubed versions. Anyone know about that?

Anyway, here are the lyrics:

JAMES ALLEY BLUES
Songwriter?

Times right now ain't nothin' like they used to be
Well times right now ain't nothin' like they used to be
You know I'll tell you all the truth, won't you take my word from me

Well I seen better days, but I ain't puttin' up with these
Well I've seen better days, but I ain't puttin' up with these
I had a lot better time with those women down in New Orleans

Well I was born in the country so she thinks I'm easy to lose
Well I was born in the country so she thinks I'm easy to lose
She wants to hitch me to a wagon and drive me like a mule

I bought her groceries, and I pay the rent
I bought her groceries, and I pay the rent
She wanted me to wash her clothes but I got good common sense

Well if you don't want me then why don't you just tell me so?
Well if you don't want me then why don't you just tell me so?
It ain't like I'm a man that ain't got nowhere else to go

I give you sugar for sugar, but all you want is salt for salt
I give you sugar for sugar, but all you want is salt for salt
Well if you can't get along with me, then it's your own fault

Well, you want me to love you, but then you just treat me mean
Yea, you want me to love you, but then you just treat me mean
You're my daily thought and you're my nightly dream

Well, sometimes I think that you're just too sweet to die
Ah, sometimes I think that you're just too sweet to die
And other times I think that you ought to be buried alive


Bob Clayton