'Lectric Chair Blues

soundclip

by Blind Lemon Jefferson
recording of February 1928, Chicago, Illinois
from Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 3 (1928) (Document DOCD-5019) & Best of Blind Lemon Jefferson (Wolf 16), copyright notice

I want to shake hands with my partner and ask him how come he's here
I want to shake hands with my partner, ask him how come he's here
I had a wreck with my family, they're gonna send me to the electric chair

I wonder why they electrocute a man at the one o'clock hour of night
And I wonder why they electrocute a man at the one o'clock hour of night
Because the current is much stronger, when the folks has turned out all the lights

I sat in the electrocutin' room, my arms folded up and cryin'
I sat in the electrocutin' room, my arms folded up and cryin'
And my baby asked the question, was they gonna electrocute that man of mine?

Lemon, get me a taxi to take me away from here
Lemon, get me a taxi to take me all away from here
I haven't had a good friend in this world, since they lead Lemon to the electric chair

I feel like jumpin' in the ocean, I feel like jumpin' in the deep blue sea
I feel like jumpin' in the ocean, and like jumpin' into the deep blue sea
But nothin' like that wrecked in my heart when they brought my electrocuted daddy to me

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Note: issued by Paramount under catalogue no. 12608.