Take a peek at the All-Music Guide for more on Ma Rainey.
This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):
Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett - married to William "Pa" Rainey - recorded this in 1924.
Went to bed last night, and boy I was in my sleep, sleep I went to bed last night, and I was in my sleep Woke up this mornin', the police was shakin' me I went to the jailhouse, drunk and blues as I could be (2x) But that cruel old judge sent my man away from me They carried me to the courthouse, Lordy, how I was cryin' (2x) They jailed me sixty days in jail, and money couldn't pay my fine Sixty days ain't long if you can spend them as you choose (2x) But this seems like jail than a cell where there ain't no booze My life is all a misery when I cannot get my booze (2x) I spend every dime on liquor, got to have the booze to go with these blues
Working on the chain gang was not reserved for men alone. Women and young girls could be sentenced too to work on the "county road" as Ma Rainey sings here.
The judge found me guilty, the clerk he wrote it down (x 2) Just a poor gal in trouble, I know I'm county road bound Many days of sorrow, many nights of woe (x 2) And a ball and chain everywhere I go Chains on my feet, padlock on my hand (x 2) It's all on account of stealing a woman's man It was early this morning that I had my trial (x 2) Ninety days on the county road, and judge didn't even smile.
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