Transcribed from the sound files at The Red Hot Jazz Archive

EMPTY BED BLUES
(J. C. Johnson)
(As recorded by Bessie Smith, 3-20-1928)

(PART 1)

I woke up this morning with an awful aching head. (2x)
My new man had left me just a room and a empty bed.

Bought me a coffee grinder; got the best one I could find. (2x)
So he could grind my coffee, 'cause he had a brand-new grind.

He's a deep-sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong. (2x)
He can touch the bottom and his wind holds out so long.

He knows how to thrill me and he thrills me night and day. (2x)
He's got a new way of loving almost takes my breath away.

He's got that sweet something, and I told my gal friend Lou. (2x)
From the way she's raving, she must have gone and got it too.

(PART 2)

When my bed get empty, make me feel awful mean and blue. (2x)
My springs are getting rusty, sleeping single like I do.

Bought him a blanket, pillow for his head at night (2x)
Then I bought him a mattress so he could lay just right.

He came home one evening with his spirit way up high. (2x)
What he had to give me made me wring my hands and cry.

He give me a lesson that I never had before. (2x)
When he got through teaching me, from my elbow down was sore.

He boiled my fresh cabbage and he made it awful hot. (2x)
When he put in the bacon, it overflowed the pot.

When you get good loving, never go and spread the news.
Gals will double-cross you, and leave you with them empty-bed blues.


[Also recorded by LaVern Baker, Judy Henske, Maria Muldaur, Della Reese, Josh White, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, and several others.]