The transcription in the DT has considerable departures from Jenkins' text. I thought I had posted a transcription of Jenkins' original to the forum some time ago, but I can't find it with a forum search. Luckily, I still have it in my database. This is what Jenkins sang:

THE PANIC IS ON

What this country is comin' to
I sure would like to know
If they don't do somethin' by and by,
The rich will live and the poor will die
Dog-gone, I mean the panic is on

Can't get no work, can't draw no pay,
Unemployment gettin' worser ev'ry day
Nothin' to eat, no place to sleep,
All night long folks walkin' the street
Dog-gone, I mean the panic is on.

Saw a man this mornin' walkin' down the street
In his BVDs, no shoes on his feet.
You ought to seen the women callin' in they flat
I could hear 'em sayin', 'What kind o' man is that?'
Dog-gone, I mean the panic is on

All the landlords done raised the rent
Folks that ain't broke is badly bent
Where they get dough from, goodness knows
But, if they don't produce it, in the street they goes
Dog-gone, I mean the panic is on

Some play the numbers, some read your mind,
They all got a racket of some kind
Some trimmin' corns off o' people's feet,
They got to do somethin' to make ends meet
Dog-gone, I mean the panic is on

Some women are sellin' apples, some sellin' pies,
Some sellin' gin and rye
Some sellin' socks to support they man,
In fact, some are sellin' ev'rything they can
Dog-gone, I mean the panic is on

I pawned my clothes and ev'rything,
Pawned my jewelry, watch and my ring
Pawned my razor and my gun
So, if luck don't change, there'll be some stealin' done
Dog-gone, I mean the panic is on.

Ol' proh'bition ruined ev'rything,
That's why I'm forced to sing
Here's one thing I want you all to hear:
Until they bring back light wine, gin and beer,
Dog-gone, the panic will be on

Author and performer: Hezekiah Jenkins. Original recording 16 January 1931 Columbia 14585-D.

Source: Transcribed from Various Artists 'Songsters and Saints: Vocal Traditions on Race Records Vol 1' Matchbox Bluesmaster Series MSEX 2001/2002. Compilation by Paul Oliver.

--Stewie.