BALL AND CHAIN BLUES
As recorded by Lonnie Johnson, 1926.

Standing in the rain by the lamppost, next to the curbing stone, (2x)
Wanting to see the one I love, is leaving me all alone.

[People,] the worried blues stick by me the whole night through. (2x)
I said: "Blues, what do you think I can do with you?"

I'll leave you people; I don't know your name, (2x)
But the blues is weighing my poor heart down just like a ball and chain.

People, I once had a good wife, but those days are passed by. (2x)
All these triflin' women has made me throw my happy home life.

You get a good wife, try and try to keep her home.
If you get a good wife, men, try [all] you can to keep her home.
All these women now, only do to lead a good man wrong.