Lyr. Add: RAGGED AND DIRTY
William Brown, 1942

Nothin' but a cryin' shame, you know that?

Lawd, I'm broke and I'm hungry, ragged and dirty too,
Broke and hungry, ragged and I'm dirty too.
If I clean up, sweet mama, can I stay all night with you?

Lord, I went to my window, baby, I couldn't see through my blind,
Went to my window, couldn't see through my blind.
Heard my bedsprings uncovered, I throwed down, heard my baby cryin'.

Now if I can't come in, baby, just let me set down in your door.
I can't come in, baby, let me set down in your door.
Lord, I will leave so soon that your man won't never know.

Lord, how can I live here, baby, Lord! and feel at ease?
How can I live here, baby, Lord! and feel at ease?
'Cause that woman that I got me, she do just what she please.

I can't help myself, you know that?

Lord, you shouldn't mistreat me, baby, because I'm young and wild,
Shouldn't mistreat me, 'cause I'm young and wild.
You must always remember, baby, you was once a child.

Lord, I'm leavin' in the mornin', baby, if I have to ride this line.
Leave in the mornin', have to ride this line.
Mmm, mistreat me, baby, and I swear I don't mind dying.


More complete than words previously posted.
Sung by William Brown, 1942, Mississippi.

Pp. 747-748, no musical score.

Duncan Emrich, 1974, "American Folk Poetry, An Anthology." Little, Brown.