WHAT'S THE MATTER NOW?
Clarence Williams / Spencer Williams

as rec by Bessie Smith  Mar 5th 1926 New York


Papa papa, treetop tall,
Hear your lovin' mama call,
You ain't doin' no good,
You ain't treatin' me like you should!

Papa papa, hear my plea,
Stop mistreatin' me!
You stay, stay away,
That's why you hear me say;

What's the matter now?
What's the matter now?
Ain't seen you, honey, since well last Spring,
Tell me, pretty papa, have you broke that thing?

What's the matter now
That we can't get along somehow?
I ain't had no sugar in a long time!
Tell me, what's the matter now?
Daddy, tell me what's the matter now?

What's the matter now?
What's the matter now?
You never give me lovin'like a daddy should,
Tell me, do you really think I'm made o' wood?

What's the matter now?
Cruel daddy, we can't get along somehow!
Mama wants some honey from that honeycomb,
Tell me, what's the matter now?
Daddy, tell me what's the matter now?







(Contributed by Peter Akers - May 2009)