I CAN'T GO TO THE POOR HOUSE


Dick Robertson - 1932





I haven't got a single cent and I am all alone
This world is treating me so cold and I'm without a home
To ev'rybody that I meet, I tell them my sad case
They say to me, "Why don't you go to the poor house, that's your place"

But I can't go to the poor house, that ain't no place for me
I can't go to the poor house, although the lodging's free
It ain't that I've got too much pride, I'm humble as a pup
But I can't go to the poor house, 'cause the beds are all filled up

I can't go to the poor house, way over on the hill
I can't go to the poor house, that used to be a mill
I asked them why I can't get in, they told me, I declare
Oh, I can't go to the poor house, all the millionaires are there

I can't go to the poor house, although I know I should
I can't go to the poor house, although I wish I could
I'd go there in my limousine, I've got one, too, that's class
But I can't go to the poor house because I can't buy gas

I can't go to the poor house, there ain't no use to try
I can't go to the poor house, I've got six reasons why
There's Freddy, Mary, Jim, and Joe, there's Baby and the wife
Say, I can't go to the poor house, I brought it on myself






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - December 2014)