THE ALCOHOLIC BLUES
(Albert Von Tilzer / Edward Laska)

Billy Murray - 1919
DeFord Bailey - 1927
Yerba Buena Jazz Band (vocal: Clancy Hayes) - 1950

Also recorded by: Steve Pistorius & Mahogany Hall Stompers;
Don Thompson; Doc Daugherty & His Orch; The Dixie Stompers;
Back Bay Ramblers; Buddy Hackett; Irving Kaufman.


I love my country, 'deed I do
But oh, that war has made me blue
I like fightin', that's my name
But fightin' is the least about the fightin' game

When Mister Hoover said to cut my dinner down
I never even hesitate, I never frown
I cut my sugar, I cut my coal
But now they dug deep in my soul

I've got the blues, I've got the blues
I've got the alcoholic blues
No more beer, my heart to cheer
Goodbye whiskey, you used to make me frisky
So long highball, so long gin
Oh, tell me when you comin' back agin

Blues, I've got the blues
Since they amputated my booze
Lordy, Lordy, war is well
You know I don't have to tell
I've got the alcoholic blues
Some blues, I've got the blues

Prohibition that's the name
Prohibition drives me insane
I'm so thirsty, soon I'll die
I'm simply goin' to 'vaporate, I'm just that dry

I wouldn't mind to live forever in a trench
Just if my daily thirst they only let me quench
And not with Bevo or Ginger Ale
I want the real stuff by the pail

I've got the blues, I've got the blues
I've got the alcoholic blues
No more beer, my heart to cheer
Goodbye whiskey, you used to make me frisky
So long highball, so long gin
Oh, tell mw when you comin' back agin

Blues, I've got the blues
Since they amputated my booze
Lordy, Lordy, war is well
You know, I don't have to tell
I've got the alcoholic blues
Some blues, I've got the blues