OUTSIDE OF THAT
J H Trent / Clarence Williams

as rec by Bessie Smith w Fletcher Henderson (piano)  
April 28th 1923 New York


I've got the meanest man in the land,
But his love is that stickin' brand!
His kiss just lingers on my lips
And thrill me to my fingertips.
People say I'm a fool,
He's heartless and oh, so cruel!

But outside of that, he's alright with me,
Outside of that, he's as sweet as he can be!
I love him as true as stars above,
He beats me up, but how he can love!
I never loved like that since the day I was born!

I said for fun, "I don't want you no more!",
And when I said that, I made sweet papa sore.
He blacked my eyes, I couldn't see,
Then he pawned the things he gave to me,
But outside of that, he's alright with me!

I said for fun, "I don't want you no more!",
And when I said that, I made sweet papa sore.
When he pawned my things, I said "You're a dirty old thief!",
Now then, he turned around and knocks out both of my teeth!
Outside of that, he's alright with me!






(Contributed by Peter Akers - May 2009)