Shipwreck Blues

soundclip

by Bessie Smith
recording of 1931
from The Complete Recordings, Vol. 4 (Columbia/Legacy 52838),
copyright notice

Captain, tell your men to get on board
Hoist your sail, just pull into another shore

I'm dreary in mind and I'm so worried in heart
Oh the best of friends sho' has got to part

Blow your whistle captain, so your men'll know what to do
Blow your whistle captain, so your men'll know what to do
When a woman gets dreary ain't no tellin' what she won't do

It's cloudy outdoors as can be
Oh it's cloudy as can be
That's the time I need my good man with me

It's rainin' and it's stormin' on the sea
It's rainin', it's stormin' on the sea
I feel like somebody has shipwrecked poor me