The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #28882   Message #1145421
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
24-Mar-04 - 10:06 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Ain't Nobody's Business
Subject: RE: Origins: Ain't Nobody's Business
Thanks, honeydhont, for the words to the Sara Martin-Fats Waller version, which hadn't been posted. The words are very close to those used by Bessie Smith; along with part of the sheet music, Bessie's version may be found at: Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do
The sheet music lists the authors as Porter Grainger and Everett Robbins, copyright 1922, 1949, 1960 by MCA.

In 1911, according to an article in JAFL, Grainger and others had already prepared a version, which hasn't been posted. In a previous post, I mistakenly listed Grainger's name as Graham.

Unlike the singers, the original words by Grainger and Robbins did not repeat the 'do do...'

Lyrics Add: TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZ-NESS IF I DO
Porter Grainger and Everett Robbins 1922

1. There ain't nothin' I can do, nor nothin' I can say,
That folks don't criticize me;
But I'm gonna do just as I want to anyway,
And don't care if they all despise me.

Refrain:
I I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean,
'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZ-NESS IF I DO.
Rather than persecute me,
I choose that you would shoot me,
'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZ-NESS IF I DO.
If I should get the feelin'
To dance on the ceilin',
'TAINT NOBODY'S BIZ-NESS IF I DO.
If I get my best companion
Drive me right into the canyon,
'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZ-NESS IF I DO.

If I dislike my lover
And leave him for another,
'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZ-NESS IF I DO.
If I go to church on Sunday,
Then cabaret on Monday,
'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZ-NESS IF I DO.
If my friend ain't got no money
And I say "take all mine, honey,"
'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZ-NEEE IF I DO.
If I give him my last nickel
And if it leaves me in a pickle,
'TAIN'T NOBODY'S BIZ-NESS IF I DO.

2. After all, the way to do is do just as you please,
Regardless of their talkin';
Often times ones that talk will get down on their knees,
And beg your pardon for their squawkin'.

At Public Domain Music:
Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness

Note that the Grainger-Robbins lyrics lack the couplets about the 'copper' and 'hit me.'