You can hear this recording at the Internet Archive. I have boldfaced the words that are different from the copy in the DT. Only 3 verses are approximately the same, and they are in a different order:


SPORTIN LIFE BLUES
As recorded by Brownie McGhee, Alert (401-B), 1948.

I'm tired of runnin' around.
Think l will marry and settle down.
This old night life,
This old sporting life is killin' me.

I got a letter from my home.
Most of my friends are dead an' gone.
I began to worry,
Began to wonder 'bout days to come.

My mother used to talk to me.
Young and foolish an' I could not see.
I have no mother.
My sisters and brother won't talk to me.

She used to fall on her knees an' pray.
These are the words Mother used to say:
She'd say: "Brownie,
Oh, Brownie, please change your way."

[Instrumental break]

I am goin' to change my way.
I'm getting older ev'ry day.
When I was young and foolish,
I was eas'ly led astray.

I been a gambler an' a cheater too.
Now it's come my time to lose.
Sportin' life
Has got me bested; what can I do?