13. MENINGITIS BLUES

I come in home one Sat'day night, pull off my clothes and I lie down. (2x)
And that morning just about the break of day the meningitis begin to creep around.

My head and neck was paining me. Feel like my back would break in two. (2x)
I had such a mood (?) that morning, I didn't know what in the world to do

My companion take me to the doctor. "Doctor, please tell me my wife's complaint." (2x)
Doctor looked down on me, shook his head, said, "I wouldn't mind telling you, son, but I cain't."

He take me round to the city hospital. The clock was striking ten. (2x)
I done hear (?) my companion say, "I don't b'lieve I'll see your smiling face again."

Then the nurses all began to set around me. The doctors had done give me out. (2x)
Every time I'd have a potion, I would have a foaming at the mouth.

Mm, the meningitis killing me. (2x)
I'm failing, I'm failing, baby. My head is bended (?) down until my knee.

[Additional verse found at Harry's Blues Lyrics Online and sung by Memphis Minnie in another recording, but not in the Memphis Jug Band's recording -- inserted after verse 3:]

"Just take her 'round to the city hospital, just as quick quick as you possible can.
Take her 'round to the city hospital, just as quick quick as you possible can,
Because the condition she's in now, you will never go home live again."

[As recorded by the Memphis Jug Band, 1930, Memphis Minnie, vocalist.]