That Black Snake Moan

soundclip

by Blind Lemon Jefferson recording of circa June 1926, Chicago, Illinois from Blind Lemon Jefferson (Milestone 47022), copyright notice I - I ain't got no mama now I - I ain't got no mama now She told me late last night, "You don't need no mama no how" Mmm, mmm, black snake crawlin' in my room Mmm, mmm, black snake crawlin' in my room Some pretty mama better come and get this black snake soon Ohh-oh, that must have been a bed bug, baby a chinch can't bite that hard1 Ohh-oh, that must have been a bed bug, honey a chinch can't bite that hard Ask my sugar for fifty cents, she said "Lemon, ain't a child in the yard" Mama, that's all right, mama that's all right for you Mama, that's all right, mama that's all right for you Mama, that's all right, most seen all you do2 Mmm, mmm, what's the matter now? Mmm, mmm, honey what's the matter now? Sugar, what's the matter, don't like no black snake no how Mmm, mmm, wonder where my black snake gone? Mmm, mmm, wonder where this black snake gone? Black snake mama done run my darlin' home __________ Note: Jefferson's first single for Paramount was also his most successful recording. An excellent example of how Blind Lemon used overtly suggestive sexual imagery without becoming salacious; Note 1: Chinch bug, defined in different terms as a type of bed bug and as another insect which is destructive to types of lawn grass; Note 2: lyric is garbled, "Most seen all you do" is a best guess.