Jailhouse Blues

soundclip

by Bessie Smith / Clarence Williams
recording of September 21, 1923
from The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 (Columbia/Legacy C2K-47091),
copyright notice

Lord, this house is goin' to get raided, yes, sir!

Thirty days in jail, with my back turned to the wall, to the wall
Thirty days in jail, with my back turned to the wall
Look here, mister jail keeper, put another gal in my stall

I don't mind being in jail, but I got to stay there so long, so long
I don't mind being in jail, but I got to stay there so long, so long
Well, every friend I had is done shook hands and gone

You better stop your man from ticklin' me under my chin, under my chin
You better stop your man from ticklin' me under my chin
'Cause if he keeps on ticklin', I'm sure gonna take him on in

Good morning blues, blues how do you do, how do you do?
Good morning blues, blues how do you do?
Well, I just come here to have a few words with you