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Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs
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Subject: Lyr Add: FOUR ELEVEN 44 (Papa Charlie Jackson) From: Jim Dixon Date: 22 Sep 10 - 04:51 PM You can hear this song at http://www.philxmilstein.com/probe/05.htm (or click to play). (By the way, that site has lots of other songs about "policy.") FOUR ELEVEN 44 Papa Charlie Jackson, Paramount 12375, 1926 1. I felt so bad the other night. Had nothing left but an appetite. I looked in my purse. I had a little dough, So I decided to play four eleven forty-four. CHORUS: So policy is all I hear all day. What good is it? You don't know what to play. You think of many numbers you've heard before. So always keep playing four eleven forty-four. The other night I thought I'd always be broke. Four-eleven-forty-four made me out of a joke(?). So always keep playing four eleven forty-four. 2. I went to the wheel. They wouldn't let me in. I stood on the steps right out in the wind. "Mister man, mister man, please open the door. I want to play four eleven forty-four." 3. So while they pulled the numbers, I sat real quiet. I felt like things wasn't goin' work right. I got nervous, started to go, When the last three numbers were four eleven forty-four. ["Policy," a.k.a. the numbers game, was an illegal lottery played mostly in poor neighborhoods in U.S. cities.] |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Mike Yates Date: 21 Sep 10 - 05:25 AM See the article "No Need Knockin' on the Blinds" on the Musical Traditions website for a text of this song. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: SELF EXPERIENCE (Papa Charlie Jackson) From: Jim Dixon Date: 20 Sep 10 - 05:47 PM SELF EXPERIENCE Papa Charlie Jackson 1. I was playing for a party one night just about twelve o'clock. (2x) Someone knocked on the door and said he was a police cop. 2. The police walks in, catches everybody with a glass in they hand. (2x) He says, "I'm gonna carry all you women, and I'm bound to take all you men." 3. He sent his partner to call the wagon whilst we all sat good and quiet. (2x) 'Cause it wasn't no use of worrying. We all knowed we had to take a ride. 4. They carried us to Maxwell(?) street station, put us in cell two-oh-two. (2x) I hollered, "Jackson(?), my friend." Said, "Boys, don't let that happen to you." 5. We played cards all night. Boys, how did we roll them bones. (2x) There wasn't no use of worrying. We knowed we couldn't get back home. 6. They come and got us the next morning, carried us to ... street station too. (2x) When we got out in the basement, we was handcuffed two by two. 7. Then they carried us before the judge. Said, "I'm gonna give you a break an' let you go. (2x) You gotta stay away from them moonshine parties and don't come(?) before me no mo'. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: GUEST,Tom Murphey Date: 16 Sep 10 - 08:23 PM Re: Butter & Egg Man Blues: The missing line is "Hear me please, Lawd, cause I can't see." |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: GUEST,Tom Murphey Date: 16 Sep 10 - 08:19 PM Having been raised in the south, and lived in Memphis, TN - a center of "hoodoo" magic - I can tell you that the "hand" in the second verse refers to a "Mojo Hand", not a "Hand of Glory," two very different things. A "Hand of Glory" is a candle made from the hand of a hanged person, used in black magic rituals. Mojo is a term used in "hoodoo" magic, a form of Americanized voodoo originating with slave culture in the South. The "Lucky Mon Gol" company in Memphis, TN was a major producer of hoodoo "curios" (oils, potions, etc.) A "mojo hand" is the bag, worn around the neck by men or around the waist under the clothes by women (a "nation bag"), in which one puts one's "mojo" - a collection of "curios" such as "black cat bone," "John the Conqueror Root," "quick money oil," etc. For more on the subject, Google "hoodoos and curios". If your current mojo is running low, try "www.luckymojo.com" where you can order an upgrade. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Goose Gander Date: 05 Dec 07 - 03:16 PM Lots of Papa Charlie Jackson lyrics at Lars Lindh's Bob Dylan Homepage. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: MAMA, DONT YOU THINK I KNOW (C Jackson) From: Goose Gander Date: 13 Sep 07 - 06:56 PM Here's my take on . . . MAMA, DONT YOU THINK I KNOW? Got a knock-kneed mama down in Tennessee She's short and squat, she's alright with me Don't you think I know? Mama, don't you think I know Now, knock-kneed woman, what you gonna cook tonight? Whatever you cook, just cook it right Don't you think I know? Mama, don't you think I know You got a face like a washboard, mouth like a tub Teach my mama that washboard rub Don't you think I know? Mama, don't you think I know Now, some people say pigs are good to eat I'll never eat pigs _____________________ Don't you think I know? Mama, don't you think I know Take a long-tail monkey, an up-tail dog Do that dance they call _______________ Don't you think I know? Mama, don't you think I know Now, the monkey told the elephant, "You may be big and wide, You can't twitch your tail like I twitch mine." Don't you think I know? Mama, don't you think I know Now, the monkey told the elephant when he seen that trunk "I know you sorry you got the tail in front." Don't you think I know? Mama, don't you think I know Paramount 12305 (2224-2) Aug. 1925, transcribed from 'Papa Charlie Jackson, 1925-1928' LP (Biograph BLP 12042), 1972. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Stewie Date: 12 Sep 07 - 03:39 AM Paul Oliver also has a partial transcription of Papa Charlie's 'Salt Lake City Blues' in his 'Story of the Blues' Pimlico 1997, p107. It must be from a different recording than Bob's above as he has: You have a wife in the mornin', Lord a wife at night And always a substitute to take her place (if) she's out of sight I'm leavin' here tonight if I have to ride the blinds Take a freight train special, tell the engineer, 'Lose no time' --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Stewie Date: 11 Sep 07 - 08:17 PM Unfortunately, I do not have any Papa Charlie reissues, so can't be of much help. However, in his 'Screening the Blues', Paul Oliver comments that Papa Charlie's 'Shave 'Em Dry' is close to Ma Rainey's. He gives a transcription of Ma Rainey's version and the stanza relevant to stanza 5 in Bob's transcription reads: Don't see how you hungry women can sleep Shimmies all day without a bite to eat Eeh, hey, daddy let me shave 'em dry That may be what Papa Charlie is singing. Oliver quotes two stanzas of Papa Charlie's version. One is the last in Bob's transcription. Oliver gives 'lay' rather than 'get' for the line: 'Why don't you run here mama, lay back in my arms'. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Goose Gander Date: 11 Sep 07 - 03:47 PM Well, "Ain't no Daniel, just born in a lion's den" definately makes more sense than what I transcribed. I'll listen to the song again and see if I hear anything else differently. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Bob Coltman Date: 11 Sep 07 - 12:49 PM A few alternate lines for "Cat's Got the Measles" above, drawn from the Walter Smith cover (assuming Walter changed no lyrics. At least he probably heard a relatively E+ copy of Papa Charlie's record): I ain't no Daniel, just born in the lion's den and I ain't good looking, etc. But I got what it takes to carry me through this cockeyed world. and The men don't like me just because I keeps my side ... The women cry papa, say they wanta be my bride ... But, of course, as I got these from Smith, not Papa Charlie, they may not apply. Just a possibility. Bob |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Bob the Postman Date: 10 Sep 07 - 04:50 PM Well, it's simple when you know how. I'd never heard of Marmons so I couldn't hear Papa Charlie say the word. Now I can--I think. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Brian Hoskin Date: 10 Sep 07 - 08:30 AM Hi Bob the Postman, A Marmon is another make of automobile, and makes more sense to me in the context. But you're definitely right that the final line there should have been 'It ain't gonna be no Lincoln' Brian |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Bob the Postman Date: 10 Sep 07 - 08:15 AM This is how I hear the first lines of Loan Me Your Heart: (Pardon me lady. You've got something I'm gonna ask you to loan me. It ain't gonna be no 'molument. It ain't gonna be no Cadillac. It ain't gonna be no Rolls Royce. It ain't gonna be no Lincoln. 'molument is an informal pronunciation of "emolument", a high-falutin term for tip or gratuity. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Brian Hoskin Date: 10 Sep 07 - 07:36 AM Sorry - a few mistakes in my typing in Airy Man Blues. That should be soul, not sou and 'bring it up on me' not 'ring it up on me'. I don't actually have a copy of this one myself, but from a clip I found online I'd agree with you Bob that the word in verse 4 is 'weather' rather than 'whenever'. all the best Brian |
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Subject: Lyr Add: AIRY MAN BLUES (Papa Charlie Jackson) From: Brian Hoskin Date: 10 Sep 07 - 07:03 AM His RR McLeod's transcription of Airy Man Blues. He too notes that it's difficult to understand and that some parts are doubtful. AIRY MAN BLUES I'll look at this music, sing you this song. The woman on your mind's done broken your heart. Put you out, told you to go. Don't never come back to the house no more. Now you're just tryin' to throw me down. You know you's the foolishest man in town. You keep on a-talkin', you really will, Certainly never get to see no bail. Well, you can't keep on talkin' little darlin' babe. You don't need no airy man. I won't be bothered with another annoyin' man, Who barely understands. Well you can bring in my wood, you can bring in my coals, You can iron my shirts, you can bless my sou. You can drink yourself to death or you can cry wheneve you want, But I don't need no airy man. Now there was an old lady in a horse-drawn brake, Just blowed in the other day. She walked along old State Street, Just to pass the time away. Said if you want to do the hop like Dolly Gray, These are the words to say. "Papa Charlie's on the hop, 'fore the break of day, So it's time to ring it up on me." Well, you can't keep on talkin' little darlin' babe. You don't need no airy man. I won't be bothered with another annoyin' man, Who barely understands. Well you can bring in my wood, you can bring in my coals, You can iron my shirts, you can bless my sou. You can drink yourself to death or you can cry wheneve you want, But I don't need no airy man. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: TEXAS BLUES (Papa Charlie Jackson) From: Brian Hoskin Date: 10 Sep 07 - 06:48 AM TEXAS BLUES I'm Texas bound, freight train on my mind. I'm Texas bound, I've got a feight train on my mind. If you miss me on the local, look fo me on the blind. My suitcase is packed, my trunk's already home. My suitcase is packed, my trunk's already home. Siad you can know by that, your sweet papa's gonna be gone. Just look around the corner, see that passenger train. Just look around the corner, see that passenger train. Be a long time beore you see my face again. Takes a good old fireman, a cool kind engineer. It takes a good old fireman, cool kind engineer. For to pull that train, take me away from here. I'm Texas bound, got no time, toodle-oo. I'm Texas bound, got no time, toodle-oo. 'Cause my sweet mama quit me, left me with the Texas blues. Paramount 12335 c. Dec 1925 |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BABY PLEASE LOAN ME YOUR HEART (Jackson) From: Brian Hoskin Date: 10 Sep 07 - 06:41 AM BABY PLEASE LOAN ME YOUR HEART (Pardon me lady. You've got something I'm gonna ask you to loan me. It ain't gonna be an old Marmon. It ain't gonna be an old Cadillac. It ain't gonna be an old Rolls Royce. It ain't gonna be n old Lincoln. Now, I'm most sure it ain't gonna be no baby Ford. I wouldn't raise a moustache just fo your money. You know I'm gonna ask you to be my honey. I know other people are all wonderin' what I'm gonna ask you about. I'm gonna tell you.) Loan me your heart, please baby, can't you loan me your heart? I'll pay you back, when times get hard. Now, you know baby, you know it's true, I don't love no one but you. I'm goin' to tell you, just what to do. That is to loan me your heart, now baby can't you loan me your heart? I'll never see the day, you and I will never be apart. I'm gonna tell you just before we start, All I want you to do is to loan me your heart. Loan me yor heart, baby please loan me your heart. (Doodle verse.) I'm goin' to ask you now, baby 'fore you start. All you've got to do is to lonme your heart. Loan me your heart, baby please loan me your heart. Paramount 12736 Chicago c. Jan 1929 |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 09 Sep 07 - 10:25 PM Michael -- many thanks for those much-wanted songs, very happy to see them. Any others you feel like adding will be much appreciated. Bob |
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Subject: Lyr Add: BUTTER AND EGG-MAN BLUES (Charlie Jackson From: Goose Gander Date: 09 Sep 07 - 06:26 PM BUTTER AND EGG-MAN BLUES Everybody in town has a butter and egg man but me Everybody in town has a butter and egg man but me Hear me please, _________________________________ Come here mama, sit on your papa's knee Come here mama, sit on your papa's knee I'm just a butter and egg man, you can leave or get along with me Why don't you take me pretty mama, make something out of poor me Why don't you take me pretty mama, make something out of poor me I'm just a butter and egg man, just as dark as I can be Well, it's butter and eggs, butter and eggs, butter and eggs all you crave Well, it's butter and eggs, butter and eggs, butter and eggs all you crave When you die, put butter and eggs on your grave Why don't you take me pretty mama, let you treat me as you do Why don't you take me pretty mama, let you treat me as you do 'Cause my weakness is pretty women, even with the butter and egg blues Paramount 12358 (11069-1) Feb. 1926, transcribed from 'Papa Charlie Jackson, 1925-1928' LP (Biograph BLP 12042), 1972 |
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Subject: Lyr Add: CAT'S GOT THE MEASLES (Charlie Jackson) From: Goose Gander Date: 09 Sep 07 - 06:04 PM THE CAT'S GOT THE MEASLES Now, the cat's got the measles, the dog's got the whooping cough The cat's got the measles, the dog's got the whooping cough Dog-gone the man let a woman be his boss. I ain't the devil, fall in the lion's den I ain't the devil, fall in the lion's den But my chief occupation's taking women from their monkey-men I ain't good-looking, my teeth don't shine like pearls I ain't good-looking, my teeth don't shine like pearls But I got something, babe, ___________________________ * I think I heard a rumbling, deep down in the ground I think I heard a rumbling, deep down in the ground It must have been the devil, chaining my good gal down The men don't like me, just because I speak my mind The men don't like me, just because I speak my mind But the women scream, "Papa!" - just because I take my time * I couldn't figure out this last phrase. Paramount 12259 (10019-3) Jan. 1925, transcribed from 'Papa Charlie Jackson, 1925-1928' LP (Biograph BLP 12042), 1972. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Papa Charlie Jackson Songs From: Goose Gander Date: 07 Sep 07 - 11:50 AM I'll check my re-issues when I get home and see if I can add any lyrics to those you have posted. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: AIRY MAN BLUES (Papa Charlie Jackson) From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 06 Sep 07 - 07:18 PM "Airy Man Blues," the flip side of Papa Charlie's first record "Lawdy Lawdy Blues," is particularly hard to understand. Here are some scattered lines, but there's more that just doesn't come through clearly. Trouble is, everybody loved Papa Charlie's records so much they played them to death. As Paramount masters generally haven't survived, all available copies tend to be rough. Help! Anyone? AIRY MAN BLUES By Papa Charlie Jackson, Paramount 12219, recorded Chicago c. August 1924. You can keep on talkin' little darlin' babe, But don't need no airy man. I want these browns [?] to thoroughly understand ... You can bring in my wood, you can bring in my food, You can iron my shirts, you can bless my soul You can get yourself together, you can [talk? / jaw?] about the weather I don't need no airy man |
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Subject: Lyr Add: SALT LAKE CITY BLUES (Charlie Jackson) From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 06 Sep 07 - 05:29 PM I'm skipping "Shake That Thing," as that's available on another thread. Here's Papa Charlie's "Salt Lake City." Both this and the flip side, his "Salty Dog," quickly inspired tribute covers from Sam and Kirk McGee, who varied the lyrics and recorded fine versions of both songs. Request: can anyone transcribe Papa Charlie's lyrics to "The Cat's Got the Measles" (which evidently inspired Walter Smith's cover) and "I Got What It Takes But It Breaks My Heart To Give It Away" ??? I have not heard this coupling and would be tickled to see the lyrics. Bob SALT LAKE CITY BLUES By Papa Charlie Jackson, Paramount 12236, Jackson's second record, recorded Chicago c. September 1924. Sweet woman left me, Lord, and I don't know why, Sweet woman left me, babe, and I don't know why, So I better stop and figure, says, it's no use sayin' goodbye. Because a woman is one thing you can't understand (2x) When you think she's lovin' you, she cheat you for some other man. Goin' back to Salt Lake City, [this] ain't no place for me, (2x) Goin' back to Salt Lake City, where the women won't let me be. You have a wife in the morning, you have [no?] wife at night, (2x) And always somep'm take the pleasure out of life. I'm leaving here tonight, if I have to ride the rods,(2x) Take a freight train special, tell the engineer, Lose no time. Now the jinx all on me all over this town, (2x) That's the reason why I'm Salt Lake City bound. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: PAPA'S LAWDY LAWDY BLUES (Charlie Jackson From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 06 Sep 07 - 05:16 PM PAPA'S LAWDY LAWDY BLUES By Papa Charlie Jackson, Paramount 12219, Jackson's first record (flip side "Airy Man Blues"), recorded Chicago, c. August 1924. I love my baby, And my baby do love me, Oh Lawd, Lawd Lawd, Lawd Lawd, Lawd Lawd Lawd, Get away from my window, Holl'in', babe, get away from my do' Honey babe, honey babe, Why don't you tell me what you goin' to do? I ain't crazy 'bout no yellow girl, I ain't a fool about no brown, But you can't tell the difference, Mama when the sun goes down, [these two lines replace "Lawd Lawd" refrain lines] Lawd Lawd Lawd. Honey babe, oh babe, Oh, baby, babe, oh babe, I got a wife, I got a girl, And I'm foolin' on the outside too, Mm-hmm, etc. [hums line] Mm-hmm, mm-mm, oh babe, Lawd Lawd Lawd. |
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Subject: Lyr Add: ALL I WANT IS A SPOONFUL (Charlie Jackson From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 06 Sep 07 - 05:11 PM Compare Charlie Patton's "A Spoonful Blues." ALL I WANT IS A SPOONFUL By Papa Charlie Jackson, Paramount 12320, Chicago, c. September, 1925 I told you once, this makes twice, That's my last dime, don't you boil no rice, CHO: 'Cause all I want, honey baby, Just a spoonful, spoonful. You can brown your gravy, fry your steak Please, mama, don't make no mistake, Just as sure as the winter follows the fall There ain't no one woman got it all. Where you get your woman? I can't understand, What? She lookin' for you, or a monkey man? Now, two-timin' mama, says, you needn't to stall, Throw it out the window, I'll catch it 'fore it falls. I got the blues so bad, I couldn't sleep last night, My two-time mama want to fuss and fight, [ ? entire seventh verse in question ] Now if you don't believe that I'm walkin' mighty fast, Ask that man that run me last, |
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Subject: Lyr Add: MAMA DON'T ALLOW IT (Charlie Jackson) From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 06 Sep 07 - 05:05 PM I'll pass by "Long Gone Lost John," as that's transcribed in another thread. Papa Charlie's version of "Mama Don't Allow" is interestingly different. Makes you wonder what the original song was, or whether it originated with him. Frank Stokes also did an early version with the familiar "Mr. Crump Don't 'Low It" verses linked to W.C. Handy, but the song surely predates Handy. MAMA DON'T ALLOW IT By Papa Charlie Jackson, recorded on Paramount 12296, Chicago, c. August 1925. Came from the country the other day, Says [sugar kind daddies go the holler way???] 'Cause mama don't allow it, ain't gonna have it here, If you don't care what mama don't allow, Got a [sure fine daddy??] anyhow, 'Cause mama don't allow it, ain't gonna have it here. Now gimme 'nother kiss, we'll have some fun, We'll break 'em down and then we'll run ... Come on daddy, this ain't no joke, Fire this cigarette, gimme a smoke ... Says, honey, I like yo' new [gal? cap?] Daddy [see, lets her] set on yo' lap ... Now come on, daddy, what do you say, Gimme 'nother kiss the very same way, ... Hungry daddy, you'll squeeze me tight, Gimme 'nother kiss, you'll be mine tonight ...
-Joe Offer- |
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Subject: Lyr Add: SALTY DOG (Papa Charlie Jackson version) From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 06 Sep 07 - 04:58 PM Here's Salty Dog. The only transcription of this on the DT seems to be from a later recording, or an incomplete one. This, his first recording of the song, has lots more words. By the way, the common transcription "I don't wanta be yo' Annie doll" is not supported by this recording -- it's quite clearly "I don't wanta be your man at all." SALTY DOG By Papa Charlie Jackson, Paramount 12236, Chicago, c. August 1924. Won't you let me be your salty dog, I don't wanta be your man at all, Salty dog, you salty dog, Lord, it ain't but the one thing grieve my mind, All these browns and none is mine, Salty dog, mama, you salty dog. Says, I'm goin' to the hoodoo to buy me a Hand* ["Hand of Glory") [Talkin' to the women, goin' to bless these men?] You salty dog ... CHO: Why don't you let me be your salty dog, Don't wanta be yo' man a all, ... etc. Now, [scaredest] I ever been in my life, Uncle Bud like to caught me kissin' his wife ... Says, ain't but the one thing {I'm] wantin' to see, I wanta see the women kiss all over me ... Say, little cat, big cat, [swingin' along? / swimmin' in the pond?] Keep on talkin', gonna tell you a [wrong?] Say, little fish, big fish, swimmin' in the water, Come oon back here, man, and gimme my quarter, Says, if you gonna be a man, be a man like this, Save yo' money for a pick'ney* twist [piccaninny] If you gonna be a man, be a man in full, Hitch him to the wagon and make him pull, Said, God made a woman, an' made her mighty funny, Lips around her mouth, just sweet as any honey, |
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Subject: Lyr Add: MAMA DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 06 Sep 07 - 04:50 PM MAMA DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW Similar tune to Shave 'Em Dry. Recorded by Papa Charlie Jackson, Paramount 12305, Chicago, c. August 1925. I'd like to reiterate -- because of poor surface quality on my copies, I can't understand some words. This is a frequent problem with Papa Charlie anyway -- everyone seems to have trouble making out the lyrics. Anyone who can help, please do. Got a knock-kneed mama down in Tennessee, She's short and squatty, she's all right with me, Cho: Don't you think I know? Mama, don't you think I know? Now, knock-kneed mama, what you goin' to cook tonight? Whatever you cook, that cook is right, Got a face like a washboard, mouth like a tub, Teach my mama that washboard rub, Now some people say ---s are good to eat, I'll never eat [thin?] from the [hog I see?] It's a long-tailed monkey, short tailed dog, Do that dance they call Lawd, Lawd, Lawd, Now the monkey told the elephant, he did not grunt, I know you saw, you got your tail in front, Now the monkey told the elephant, [ ? ] big and wide, You can't twist your tail like I twist mine, |
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Subject: Lyr Add: SHAVE 'EM DRY (Papa Charlie Jackson) From: GUEST,Bob Coltman Date: 06 Sep 07 - 04:43 PM Papa Charlie Jackson is one of the earliest performers to record blues and rags, and many of his songs are the earliest known versions of songs we know today, like Salty Dog, Shake That Thing, Spoonful, Mama Don't Allow and so on. As time allows I want to add his lyrics to this thread, and I appeal to others to do the same. I know a few of his lyrics are already on DT, but not many. My taped copies of his 78s are from rough originals, and the words are hard to understand. Please correct my versions and let's work on getting them right. First up: SHAVE 'EM DRY Paramount 12264, recorded Chicago c. February 1925. Just one thing I can't understand. Why a bowlegged woman likes a knock-kneed man, CHO: Mama, can I holler? Daddy won't you shave 'em dry? Now I'm goin' down town, spread the news, State Street women wearin' brogan shoes, Now I'm goin' away to wear you off my mind, You keep me broke and hungry, mama, all the time, Now just one thing I can't understand How a good lookin' woman likes a workin' man, Now I don't see how yo' [you?] woman can keep Shimmy'n all day without a bite to eat, Now, if it wasn't for the powder, sto' bought hair, State Street women couldn't go nowhere, Now I went down town the other night, People on State Street tryin' to fight, I ain't crazy 'bout the yeller, fool about the brown, You can't tell the difference when the sun goes down, When you see two women runnin' hand by hand, You bet your bottom dollar she got the other one's man, Now run here, mama, get back in my arms, If your man catch you, I don't mean no harm. |
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