I'M DOWN IN THE DUMPS
(Wesley Wilson / Leola P. Wilson)

Bessie Smith - 1933

Also recorded by:
George Melly; Rory Block; Jack Teagarden; Valerie Wellington.


My man's got somethin'
He gives me such a thrill
Ev'rytime he smiles at me
I can't keep my body still
I done cried so much
Look like I got the mumps
I can't keep from worryin'
'Cause I'm down in the dumps

I had a nightmare last night
When I laid down
When I woke up this mornin'
My sweet man couldn't be found
I'm goin' down to the river
Into it I'm goin' to jump
Can't keep from worryin'
'Cause I'm down in the dumps

Someone knocked on my door
Last night when I was asleep
I thought it was that sweet man o' mine
Makin' his 'fore day creep
Was nothin' but my landlord
A great big chump
Stay way from my door, Mister Landlord
'Cause I'm down in the dumps

When I woke up
My pillow was wet with tears
Just one day from that man o' mine
Seems like a thousand years
But I'm gonna straighten up
Straighter than Andy Gump
Ain't no use of me tellin' that lie
'Cause I'm down in the dumps

I'm twenty-five years old
That ain't no old maid
I got plenty of vim and vitality
I'm sure that I can make the grade
I'm always like a tiger
I'm ready to jump
I need a whole lots o' lovin'
'Cause I'm down in the dumps