PREACHIN' THE BLUES

Bessie Smith  1927

Bessie Smith   rec Feb 17th 1927 New York


Down in Atlanta G A,
Under the viaduct every day,
Drinkin' corn and howlin' "Hurray!",
Piano's playin' till the break of day;
But as I turned my head,
I loudly said;

Preach therm blues,
Sing them blues,
They certainly sound good to me!
I've been in love for the past six months
And I ain't done worryin' yet!

Moan them blues,
Holler them blues,
Let me convert your soul!
'Cause just a little spirit of the blues tonight;
Let me tell you girls that your man ain't treating you right!

Let me tell you, I don't mean no wrong,
I will learn you somethin' if you listen to this song!
I ain't here to try to save your soul,
Just want to teach you how to save your good jelly roll!

Goin' on down the line a little further now,
There's a-many a poor woman down;
Read on down to chapter nine,
Women must learn how to take their time!

Read on down to chapter ten,
Takin' other women's men, you are doin' a sin!
Sing 'em, sing 'em, sing them blues,
Let me convert your soul!

Now one sister by the name of Sister Green
Jumped up and done a shimmy you ain't never seen!
Sing 'em, sing 'em, sing them blues,
Let me convert your soul!





(Contributed by Peter Akers - May 2009)