The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #21637 Message #2751764
Posted By: Jim Dixon
24-Oct-09 - 01:22 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Unlucky Blues (from Bert Williams)
Subject: Lyr Add: UNLUCKY BLUES (Lewis, Robinson)
The following lyrics are transcribed from the sheet music at Indiana University:
UNLUCKY BLUES
Words and music by Ted Lewis and J. Russel Robinson
As featured by Ted Lewis in "Greenwich Village Follies"
New York: Irving Berlin, Inc., 1920.
1. Not since those bygone days of old Jonah
Has a person had such luck as mine.
Seems that I was born just for sorrow,
And the sun on me won't shine.
I've lost 'most ev'ry friend I had.
I'm just a good man feelin' bad.
Bred in Kentucky, I should be lucky,
But somehow I'm forever sad.
CHORUS: I've got those unlucky blues,
Right from my head to shoes.
Even my mailman he
Don't bring me nothin' but bad news, Lawd help me.
Gals turn me down.
They say I'm just a clown.
My old landlord's lookin' for rent.
When he comes 'round, it's me for a tent,
Because the panic pursues
With those unlucky blues.
2. Once 'pon a time I jumped in the river
Just to try to throw myself away,
But some folks they dived in right after me
And spoiled a perfect day.
Nobody ever treats me kind.
Don't nothin' seem to ease my mind.
These "anti" doin's have caused my ruin.
Someday I'll leave this world behind. CHORUS
[You can hear a complete recording by Al Bernard, 1920, at The Internet Archive. I have also listened to a few sound samples of Bert Williams, and I think he sings nearly the same lyrics.]