All the songs released by Bessie Smith, Empress of the Blues, have been re-issued by CBS on five double LP's in the 1970's and on CD by Columbia (Roots 'n Blues).
See the All-Music Guide's entry on Bessie Smith.
This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):
This song was recorded by Bessie in 1923; it was credited to Porter Grainger and E. Robbins. Two modern versions of this song can be found here under Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women and Jeannie & Jimmy Cheatham. There are two lines here that I can't understand. Please help me out!
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There ain't nothing I can do, or nothing I can say That folks don't criticize me But I'm goin' to, do just as I want to anyway And don't care if they all despise me If I should take a notion To jump into the ocean 'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, do, do do If I go to church on Sunday Sing the shimmy down on Monday Ain't nobody's bizness if I do, if I do If my friend ain't got no money And I say "take all mine, honey" 'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, do, do do If I give him my last nickel And it leaves me in a pickle 'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, if I do There are _________________ would hit me Since _______________up and quit me 'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, do, do do I swear I won't call no copper If I'm beat up by my poppa 'T ain't nobody's bizness if I do, if I do
Bessie Smith recorded this standard, with Clarence Williams on the piano, 11 April 1923 in New York City. It shared a Columbia 78 with "Oh, Daddy Blues".
Baby won't you please come home (C. Williams / C. Warfield) I've got the blues, I feel so lonely I'll give the world if I could only Make you understand It surely would be grand I'm gonna telephone my baby Ask him won't you please come home 'Cause when you're gone, I'm worried all day long Baby won't you please come home Baby won't you please come home I have tried in vain Ever more to call your name When you left you broke my heart That will never make us part Every hour in the day You will hear me say Baby won't you please come home, I mean Baby won't you please come home Baby won't you please come home Cause your mama's all alone I have tried in vain Never more to call your name When you left you broke my heart That will never make us part Landlord gettin' worse, I've got to move May the first Baby won't you please come home, I need money Baby won't you please come home
Hey boweavil don't bring them blues no more Hey boweavil don't bring them blues no more Boweavil's here, boweavil's everywhere you go I'm a lone boweavil, been out a great long time I'm a lone boweavil, been out a great long time For to sing this song, to ease boweavil's troublin' mind I don't want no sugar put into my tea I don't want no sugar put into my tea The mens are so evil, I'm scared they might poison me I went downtown I bought myself a hat I brought it back home I laid it on the shelf I looked in my bedroom Tired sleepin' by myself I'm tired sleepin' by myself
In the 'twenties, many thousands of black people moved from the South to the cities in the North, especially Chicago, in search of a better life. The women often had to stay behind, as Bessie Smith sings here. Note the reference in the last verse to the Chicago Defender, the newspaper of the black community in Chicago, that serves to this day as documentation source for researchers into the history of the blues and other black music.
CHICAGO BOUND BLUES Late last night, I sold away and cried Late last night, I sold away and cried Had the blues for Chicago, I just can't be satisfied Blues on my brain, my tongue refused to talk Blues on my brain, my tongue refused to talk I was followin' my daddy but my feet refuses to walk Mean old fireman, cruel old engineer Lord mean old fireman, cruel old engineer You took my man and left his mama standing here Big red headline, tomorrow Defender news Big red headline, tomorrow Defender news "Woman dead down home, these old Chicago blues" I said blues
Written by Porter Grainger. Recorded by Bessie Smith in 1928.
It's a long, long lane that has no turning And it's a fire that always keeps on burning Mister devil down below Pitchfork in his hand And that's where you are going to go Do you understand? Devil's gonna git you Devil's gonna git you Oh, the devil's gonna git you Man, just as sure as you's born Devil's gonna git you, Devil's gonna git you, Oh, the devil's gonna git you, The way you're carryin' on You go away, stay for weeks On your doggone spree Come back home, get in my bed And turn your back on me Oh the devil's gonna git you I mean the devil's gonna git you Man the devil' sgonna git you Sure as you's born Dirty two-timer, dirty two-timer, Dirty two-timer, you ain't coming clean Oh the devil's gonna git you I mean the devil's gonna git you Oh the devil's gonna git you You know what I mean I don't want no two-time stuff From my regular man Don't want nothing that's been used 'Cause it's second-hand The devil's gonna git you Oh the devil's gonna git you Man the devil's gonna git you Sure as you're born to die
Bessie Smith (accompanied by Charlie Green, trombone and Porter Grainger, piano) on March 20, 1928 in New York City. This is a two-part blues with some hard-to-misunderstand sexual imagery.
EMPTY BED BLUES (J.C. Johnson) I woke up this morning with a awful aching head I woke up this morning with a awful aching head My new man had left me, just a room and a empty bed Bought me a coffee grinder that's the best one I could find Bought me a coffee grinder that's the best one I could find Oh he could grind my coffee, cause he had a brand new grind He's a deep sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong He's a deep sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong He can stay at the bottom and his wind holds out so long He knows how to thrill me and he thrills me night and day Oh he knows how to thrill me, he thrills me night and day He's got a new way of loving, almost takes my breath away Lord he's got that sweet somethin' and I told my girlfriend Lou He's got that sweet somethin' and I told my girlfriend Lou From the way she's raving, she must have gone and tried it too (Part 2:) When my bed get empty make me feel awful mean and blue When my bed get empty make me feel awful mean and blue My springs are getting rusty, sleeping single like I do Bought him a blanket, pillow for his head at night Bought him a blanket, pillow for his head at night Then I bought him a mattress so he could lay just right He came home one evening with his beret way up high He came home one evening with his beret way up high What he had to give me, make me wring my hands and cry He give me a lesson that I never had before He give me a lesson that I never had before When he got to teachin' me, from my elbow down was sore He poured my first cabbage and he made it awful hot He poured my first cabbage and he made it awful hot When he put in the bacon, it overflowed the pot When you git good lovin', never go and spread the news Yes he'll doublecross you, and leave you with them empty bed blues
This blues was written by Ida Cox. Bessie Smith recorded it on 26 September 1923 with Jimmy Jones at the piano, just weeks after Ida's recording (on June 23 with Lovie Austin's Blues Serenaders)
Blues on my mind, blues all around my head Blues on my mind, and blues all around my head I dreamed last night that the man that I love was dead I went to the graveyard, fell down on my knees I went to the graveyard, fell down on my knees And I asked the gravedigger to give me back my real good man please The gravedigger look me in the eye The gravedigger look me in the eye Said "I'm sorry lady but your man has said his last goodbye" I wrung my hands and I wanted to scream I wrung my hands and I wanted to scream But when I woke up I found it was only a dream
(C. Williams - H. Jenkins). Bessie Smith recorded this on May 15, 1929 in New York City.
Oh Stingy Ginny saved up all her pennies Straight to the bank she would go The sharks would have their hands around her But none could get her dough Ginny's fellow was a slick high yellow Sent away to jail one day He cried for bail, then turned real pale When I(*) heard Ginny say Oh I've got what it takes But it breaks my heart to give it away It's in demand They wants it every day I've been saving it up for a long long time To give it away would be more than a crime Your eyes may roll, your teeth may grit But none of my money will you git You can look at my bank book But I'll never let you feel my purse Cause I'm a woman, believes in safety first, safety first Said if you want my money, here's my plan I'm saving it up for a real good man I've got what it takes But it breaks my heart to give it away She said I've got what it takes But it breaks my heart to give it away It's in demand Folks cryin' for it every day I've been saving it up for a long long time To give it away would be more than a crime Your eyes may roll, your teeth may grit But none of this small change will you git You can look at my bank book But I'll never let you put your hands on my purse Lord I'm a woman, believes in safety first, safety first Say if you want my money, here's my plan I'm not savin' it up for no naked(?) man I've got what it takes But it breaks my heart to give it away (*) Bessie distinctly says "I" though I think it should be "he".
If your man is nice and sweet Serving you lots of young pigmeat Oh yes, keep it to yourself If you know you are standing fast Got him worried where you at Oh yes, keep it to yourself He don't fall for no one He don't call for no one He don't give nobody none of his L.O.V.E. Cause it's yours If your man is full of action Givin' you lots of satisfaction Oh yes, keep it to yourself If you gotta have a kiss and a sweet Makes me week way down in my knees Oh yes, keep it to yourself If he tries to treat you right Give him lovin' every night Oh yes, keep it to yourself He don't fall for no one He don't call for no one He don't give nobody none of his L.O.V.E. Cause it's yours With your man you got the best go Don't broadcast it on nobody's radio! Oh yes, keep it to yourself.
This blues was written by Ida Cox and B. Feldman. The recording by Bessie Smith dates from 1929.
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Once I lived the life of a millionaire Spending my money, I didn't care I carried my friends out for a good time Bying bootleg liquor, champagne and wine Then I began to fall so low I didn't have a friend, and no place to go So if I ever get my hand on a dollar again I'm gonna hold on to it till them eagle's green Nobody knows you when you down and out In my pocket not one penny And my friends I haven't any But If I ever get on my feet again Then I'll meet my long lost friend It's mighty strange, without a doubt Nobody knows you when you down and out I mean when you down and out Mmmmmmmm.... when you're down and out Mmmmmmmm... not one penny And my friends I haven't any Mmmmmmmm... Well I felt so low Nobody wants me round their door Mmmmmmmm... Without a doubt, No man can use you wen you down and out I mean when you down and out
This is from the same session as "Baby Won't You Please Come Home", and it was issued on the other side of Columbia A3888.
It's a variety song rather than a "real" blues, and it had already been recorded in May 1921 by Ethel Waters for the Black Swan label.
Oh Daddy Blues (E. Herbert / W. Russell) Just like a flower I am fading away The doctor call to see me most every day But he don't do me no good, why? Because I'm lonesome for you And if you care for me Then you will listen to my plea Oh, daddy, look what you doin', look what you doin' Oh, daddy, you with your foolin', think what you're losin' All the little love I gave you Is goin' to make you feel so awfully blue When you miss me and long to kiss me You'll curse the day that you ever quit me Oh, daddy, think when you're all alone You'll get so lonely just wait and see But there will be someone else makin' love to me Then daddy, daddy, you won't have no mama at all Oh, daddy, look what you doin', look what you doin' Oh, daddy, you and your foolin', think what you losin' All the little love I gave you Is goin' to make me feel so awfully blue When you miss me, and long to kiss me You'll curse the day that you ever quit me Oh, daddy, think when you're all alone You know that you are getting old You'll miss the way I baked your jelly roll And daddy, daddy, you won't have no mama at all
Another vaudeville tune from Bessie, where she even brings in Chinamen to support her argument... Recorded in 1928.
PUT IT RIGHT HERE (OR KEEP IT OUT THERE) (Porter Grainger) I had a man for fifteen years Give him his room and board Once he was like a Cadillac Now he's like an old worn out Ford He never brought me a lousy dime And put it in my hand So there'll be some changes from now on According to my plan He's got to get it, bring it, and put it right here Or else he's gonna keep it out there If he must steal it, beg it, or borrow it somewhere Long as he gets it, I don't care I'm tired of fryin' pork chops To grease his fat lips And he has to find another place For to park his old hips He must get it, and bring it, and put it right here Or else he's gonna keep it out there The bee gets the honey, and brings it to the corn Else he's kicked out of his home sweet home To show you that they brings it, watch the dog and the cat Everything even brings it, from a mule to a mare The rooster gets the worm, and brings it to the hen That oughta be a tip to all you no-good men The groundhog even brings it and puts it in his hole So my man has got to bring it, doggone his soul He's got to get it, bring it, and put it right here Or else he's gonna keep it out there If he must steal it, beg it, or borr' it somewhere Long as he gets it child, I don't care I'm gonna tell him like the Chinaman: when you don't bring 'em check You don't get 'em laundry, if you break 'em down neck You got to get it, bring it, and put it right here Or else you gonna keep it out there
Judge you wanna hear my plea Before you open up your court But I don't want no sympathy 'Cause I done cut my good man's throat I caught him whith a trifling Jane I warned him 'bout before I had my knife and went insane And the rest you ought to know Judge, judge, please mister judge, Send me to the 'lectric chair Judge, judge, good mister judge, Let me go away from here I wanna take a journey To the devil down below I done killed my man I wanna reap just what I sow Oh judge, judge, lordy lordy judge Send me to the 'lectric chair Judge, judge, hear me judge Send me to the 'lectric chair I love him so dear I cut him with my barlow (?) I kicked him in the side I stood here laughing o'r him While he wallowed around and died Oh judge, judge, lordy judge Send me to the 'lectric chair Judge, judge, sweet mister judge Send me to the 'lectric chair Judge, judge, good kind judge Burn me 'cause I don't care I don't want no one good mayor To go my bail I don't want to spend no Ninety-nine years in jail So judge, judge, good kind judge Send me to the 'lectric chair
Recorded in 1931
SHIPWRECK BLUES (B. Smith) Captain, tell your men to get on board I sure see 'em 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 stromin' on the sea It's rainin', it's stormin' on the sea I feel like somebody has shipwrecked poor me
Bessie wrote this blues, and recorded it in 1928.
Did you ever sit thinking with a thousand things on your mind? Did you ever sit thinking with a thousand things on your mind? Thinking about someone who has treated you so nice and kind You'll get an old letter and you begin to read You'll get an old letter and you begin to read Got the blues so bad tell that man of mine I wanna be Don't you hear me baby, knocking on your door? Don't you hear me baby, knocking on your door? Have you got the nerve to drive me from your door? Have you got the nerve to say thay you don't want me no more? Have you got the nerve to say thay you don't want me no more? The good book said you got to reap what you sow Take me back baby, try me one more time Take me back baby, try me one more time That's the only way I can get these thinking blues off my mind
This blues by Bessie Smith was recorded on October 1, 1929 in New York, with James P. Johnson at the piano.
I lived a life but nothing I've gained Each day I'm full of sorrow and pain No one seems enough for poor me To give me a word of sympathy Oh me, oh my Wonder what will the end be Oh me, oh my Wonder what will become of poor me No father to guide, no mother to care Must bear my troubles all alone Not even a brother to help me share This burden I must bear alone Oh me, oh my Wonder what will the end be Oh me, oh my Wonder what will become of poor me I'm sittin' and thinkin' of the days gone by They fills my heart with pain I'm too weak to stand and too strong to lie But I'm forgettin' it all in vain Oh me, oh my Wonder what will the end be Oh me, oh my Wonder what will become of poor me I've travelled and wandered almost everywhere To get a little joy from life Still I've gained but worries and despair Still struggling in this world of strife Oh me, oh my Wonder what will the end be Oh me, oh my Wonder what will become of poor me
Written by S. Williams and recorded by Bessie in 1929.
Loving is the thing I crave For your love I'll be your slave You gotta give me some, yes give me some Can't you hear me pleading, you gotta give me some Said mister Jones to old butcher Pete, I want a piece of your good old meat You gotta give me some, oh give me some I crave your round steak, you gotta give me some Sweet as candy in a candy shop Is just your sweet sweet lollypop You gotta give me some, please give me some I love all day suckers, you gotta give me some To the milkman I heard Mary scream Said she wanted a lots of cream You gotta give me some, oh give me some Catch it when you come sir, you gotta give me some Hear my cryin' on my bended knees If you wanna put my soul at ease You gotta give me some, please give me some Can't stand it any longer, you gotta give me some Seeper called to Pele-Mele, sugar lump Said I'm going crazy about your hump You've got to give me some, please give me some I can't wait eight days, you gotta give me some Jaybird said to the peckerwood, I like to peck like a pecker should But give me some, yes give me some I'm crazy about them worms, you've gotta give me some
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