I agree with Ray - I can't hear 'bleak'. I also have the feeling that, given the structure of the chorus and the context of the McClintock chorus, the word should rhyme with 'man' and 'pan', but after numerous listenings and fiddling with equalisers 'bare' sounds closer.

Dale emailed me a copy with corrections that we have all arrived at. I will post it below with the two remaining problematical areas highlighted. As you say, Ray, it has been fun, but I doubt whether we will get much farther. Dale pointed out in a note that 'it 'tis' is sung rather than 'it is', and I have corrected the copy to reflect this. I have added to Dale's note accurate discographical information from Meade, Spottswood and Meade 'Country Music Sources'.

FURNITURE MAN

I hate to tell my hard-luck tale or either talk about my home
All these goons in this strange land they have troubles of their own
I thought I'd order me a lovely flat and I thought the furniture'd last fine
I had two dollars a week to pay and the rest I got on time

CHORUS:
Well, I'd like to know what kind o' show
Has any man got with that furniture man
(You) got no dough, you don't stand no show
'Til your house [or your back are bare]
He'll take away your earthly goods
From a bed to a frying pan
If the devil's ever born without any horns,
It 'tis that furniture man

Oh, mah Lindy Jane she began to sing 'Bye-bye, Dolly Gray'
It was just then that those furniture men they carried my things away
You played on my piano, and you danced upon my floor
What was once considered a paradise is now a broken home

Chorus

I thought I'd order me lots of things [to go right to my door]
And when I went to order them, you bet I got a load
I got a big piano, some curtains and things, I got some bric-a-brac
I had 2 dollars a week to pay or else he'd take them back

Chorus

Note: (You) in the chorus is used just once. 'Bye-bye, Dolly Gray' really should be 'Good-bye, Dolly Gray', but that is not what he is singing.

As recorded by Bill Chitwood and Bud Landress on 21 November 1924 in New York City and released in July 1925 as Brunswick 2884.

--Stewie.