The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #138293   Message #3164880
Posted By: Jim Dixon
03-Jun-11 - 05:46 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: What's the Use of Getting Sober (Jordan)
Subject: Lyr Add: WHAT'S THE USE OF GETTING SOBER (Jordan)
This was mentioned in another thread, but I don't think it's the song that was requested there, so I think it deserves its own thread.

My transcription from the recording at YouTube:


WHAT'S THE USE OF GETTING SOBER
Words and music by Bubsy Meyers.
As recorded by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five

[SPOKEN OVER MUSIC:]
Boy, y'ought to listen to your ol' pappy (Y-y-yes, Pappy.*)
An' stop drinkin' so much. (Well, I-I-I don't know....)
Shut up, boy! You drink all day an' you drink all night,
An' son, you know that that ain't right.
(Well, Pappy, you just give me a chance; I can....)
Shut up, boy! Boy you lookin' thin as a twig. (I know dat.)
Look like to your dear ol' pappy, you're bout to blow your wig.
(I ain't gon' blow my wig, Pappy.)

[SUNG:]
What's the use of gettin' sober when you gonna get drunk again?
Ol' Sam done some'n' fine
When he brought back good whiskey, beer, an' wine.
I love my whiskey and I love my gin.
Ev'ry time you see me, I'm in my sin.
What's the use of gettin' sober when you gonna get drunk again?

[SPOKEN OVER MUSIC:]
I went out last night 'bout half-past one.
I thought I'd 'hoop it up a little bit, you know, an' have a little fun.
I got me a half a pint 'bout half-past two.
Mm-mm-mm! The way I was feelin' you know what I wanted to do.
I got me a pint 'bout half-past four.
Felt so good so I went out 'n' got me some more.
I got me a quart 'bout half-past five.
Mm-mm-mm! Boy, that was so nice, I didn't know whether I was dead or alive.

[SUNG:]
So what's the use of gettin' sober when you gonna get drunk again?
I been thinkin',
But I keep drinkin'.
I guess I'm 'bout to lose my mind!


* The boy's voice is spoken in falsetto.