CROW JANE a.k.a. CROW JANE BLUES
As recorded by Sonny Terry (several versions—these are not necessarily in chronological order):

I. 2:02 – This version appears on "Classic Harmonica Blues from Smithsonian Folkways," "The Folkways Years, 1944-1963," and "This Is the Blues with Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee."


1. Crow Jane, Crow Jane, don't hold your head so high.
You'll realize, baby, you're gonna lay down and die.

2. I done told you, baby, an' I ain't gon' tell you no mo'.
If I tell you 'gain, I'm gwinta grab my ol' four(?) forty-fo'.

3. I feel like snappin' my pistol in your face.
Some lonely graveyard be your restin' place.

4. I love you, Crow Jane, an' I ain't gwine tell no lie.
If today you quit me, that's the day you die.


II. 3:25 – This version appears on "Sonny Terry's New Sound."


1. Crow Jane, Crow Jane, don't hold your head so high.
You'll realize, baby, you gotta lay down and die.

2. You see me comin', baby, put your man outdo'.
Well, I ain't no stranger; old Sonny been here befo'.

3. Crow Jane, Crow Jane, what make your big head so high?
You'll realize, baby, you gotta lay down and die.

4. Well, I love you, Crow Jane, and I ain't gwine tell no lie.
Well, the day you quit me, that's the day you die.

5. Oh, tell me, Crow Jane, what is this you got on your min'?
You keep me worried, for wringin' my hand and cryin'?

6. Look-a-here, Crow Jane: you ain't treatin' your Sonny right.
You go out ev'ry mornin' but don't come back till the night.

7. Crow Jane, Crow Jane, what hold your head so high?
You realize, baby, you gotta lay down and die.

8-10. You gotta lay down and die. (4x)
(Y'all help me sing it.)
You gotta lay down and die. (6x)
Crow Jane, Crow Jane, you gotta lay down and die.


III. 3:50 – This version appears on "The Alligator Records 20th Anniversary Collection," "80s Blues," "Classic Harmonica Blues," "Blues Harmonica Magic," "Whoopin'," "Discover Blues Harmonica," and "Mouth Organ Blues."


1. Crow Jane, Crow Jane, what make you hold your head so high?
Oh, you realize, honey, you're gonna lay down and die.

2. I say go down to that council(?) and tell your brother Bill
That the woman he lovin' sho' gonna get him killed.

3. Did you get that letter I throwed in your backyard?
Well, I would 'a' come to see you, baby, but your other man had me barred.

4. I love you, Crow Jane, and I tell the world I do.
You're a good looker, Crow Jane, but I swear you won't be true.

5. I'm gonna sing this verse an' I ain't gon' sing no mo'.
Lord, my honey-...(?) called me, I'm booked and I'm bound to go

[Verse 1 is sung like a chorus after every verse, but the tune is the same as the verses.]


IV. 2:35 – This version appears on "Harmonica Blues" and "When He Shines"


1. Crow Jane, Crow Jane, babe, hold your head so high.
You remember, babe, that you gotta lay down an' die.

2. I just stopped here, baby, to cast my eyes up in wind(?).
Till the window breaks, honey, you know I'm up here an' gone again.

3. I done told you, baby, and I ain't gon' tell you no mo'.
If I tell you 'gain, I might grab my forty-fo'.

4. And I will snap my pistol, baby, in your low-down face.
Some here lonesome graveyard be your restin' place.

5. Crow Jane, Crow Jane, honey, [what] make you hold your head so high, baby?
You realize, honey, you gotta lay down and die.

6. I walked and I walked till my feet got soakin' wet.
I ain't found Crow Jane an' I ain't quit walkin' yet.

7. Crow Jane, Crow Jane, baby, don't hold your head so high.
I done tol' you, baby, you gotta lay down and die.