SAM JONES BLUES
Al bernard / Roy Turk / J Russell Robinson


Bessie Smith  rec Sep 24th 1923 New York




Who's that knockin' on that door?
Jones?
Better get away from that door!
I don't know nobody named Jones!
You're in the right church, brother, but the wrong pew!


Sam Jones left his lawfully wife
Just to step around,
Came back home 'bout a year,
Took it for his highbrown.
Went to his accustomed shore,
And he knocked hos knuckles sore!
His wife she came,
But to his shame
She knew his face no more!


Sam said, "I'm your husband dear!",
But she said, "Dear?
That's strange to hear!
You ain't talkin' to Mrs Jones,
You speakin' to Miss wilson now!
I used to be your lawfully mate,
But the judge done changed my fate!".


"Was a time you coulda walked right in
And call this place your sweet home,
But now it's all mine,
For all time,
I'm free and livin' all alone!".


"Don't need your clothes,
Don't need your rent,
Don't need your one's and two's.
Though I ain't rich,
I know my stitch,
I earned my struttin' shoes!".


"Say, hand me the key that unlocks my front door,
Because the bell don't read 'Sam Jones' no more, no!
You ain't talkin' to Mrs Jones,
You speakin' to Miss Wilson now!".










(Contributed by Peter Akers - August 2008)