BLUE SPIRIT BLUES
Spencer Williams

as rec by Bessie Smith w James Price Johnson (piano)  
Aug 20th 1929 New York


Had a dream last night that I was dead,
Had a dream last night that I was dead,
Evil spirits around my bed!

The Devil came and grabbed my hand,
The Devil came and grabbed my hand,
Took me 'way down to that red hot land!

Mean blue spirits stuck their forks in me,
Mean blue spirits stuck their forks in me,
Made me moan and groan in misery!

Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames,
Fairies and dragons spitting out blue flames,
Showin' their teeth, oh they was glad I came!

Demons with the eyelash drippin' blood,
Demons with the eyelash drippin' blood,
Draggin' sinners through that brimstone flood!

"This is hell!", I cried, cried with all my might,
"This is hell!", I cried, cried with all my might,
Oh my soul, I can't bear the sight!

Start runnin', 'cause it is my cup,
Start runnin', 'cause it is my cup,
Run so fast till someone woke me up!












(Contributed by Peter Akers - May 2009)