Pneumonia Blues

soundclip

by probably Blind Lemon Jefferson
recording of September 24 1929, Richmond
from Blind Lemon Jefferson (Milestone 47022) & Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 4 (1929) (Document DOCD-5020), copyright notice

I'm achin' all over, baby, b'lieve I got the pneumonia this time
I'm achin' all over, baby, b'lieve I got the pneumonia this time
An' it's all on account of that low-down gal of mine

Slippin' round the corners, running up alleys too
Slippin' round the corners, running up alleys too
Watching my woman trying to see what she goin' do

Sat out in the streets one cold, dark, stormy night
Sat out in the streets one cold, dark, stormy night
Trying to see if my good gal going to make it home all right

Wearin' B.V.D.'s¹ in the winter, prowling 'round in the rain
Wearin' B.V.D.'s in the winter, prowling 'round in the rain
Runnin' down baby, give me this pneumonia pain

__________
Note: diseases of the lungs accounted for a large number of deaths among the black community in the late 1920's and early 1930's, mainly caused by insufficient clothing, housing and medical care. Especially recently arrived migrants form the south, unaccustomed to the cold northern climate, improperly housed and with hardly any or no access to medical care had to pay a high price in human lives. Issued by Paramount under catalogue no. 12880;
Note 1: B.V.D.'s, trademark, generally used for underwear.