A TO Z BLUES
(Jodie Edwards / Ray Arthur)


Butterbeans & Susie - 1924
Billy Higgins & Josie Miles - 1924
Charley Jordan - 1937
Blind Willie McTell - 1949








As recorded by BUTTERBEANS & SUSIE (aka Jodie
and Susie Edwards) in New York, 15th September 1924:

BUTTER:
Now, look here, Sue, we can't get along
And I sure does treat you right
SUSIE:
Well now see here
Ev'ry night, when you come home from work
You don't do nothin' but fuss and fight
BUTTER
Is that so?
Now you left last night at half past eight
SUSIE:
Yes, and I come home this mornin' at four
BUTTER:
And you had the nerve to bring another man
Right smack up to my door
SUSIE:
Well, don't let that worry you, old dear
And, buddy, I'm through with you
BUTTER: Through with me?
SUSIE: Yessir!
BUTTER: Before you go, here's what I am going to do
SUSIE: What you goin' do, boy?

BUTTER:
I'm gonna cut your nappy head four diff'rent ways
Long, short, deep and wide
When I get through usin' my black-handled razor
You know you're gonna take a ride
SUSIE: If you can catch me!
BUTTER:
I'm gonna cut A B C D in the top of your head
That's gonna be treatin' you nice and you ain't gonna be dead
I'm gonna cut E F G right across your face
H I J K, that's where runnin' takes place
I'm gonna cut L M N  'cross both of your arms
You gonna sell shoestrings and pencils your whole life long
I'm gonna cut O P Q, that means trouble too
I'm gonna grab you too and turn you ev'ry way but loose
I'm gonna cut R S T just to hear you cry
That's the last time tears gonna run from both your eyes
I'm gonna cut U V W on the bottom of your feet
That's the last time you're gonna walk down Thirty-Fifth Street
I'm gonna mark you 'cross your bosom with X Y Z
When I get through the alphabet you'll quit messin' with me






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - May 2013)