Tommy Johnson

Alcohol And Jake Blues

by
Tommy "Snake" Johnson
recording of December 1929 Crafton Wisconsin
from
Complete Recorded Works (1928-1929) (Document DOCD-5001)
Alcohol alcohol cryin' sure Lord's killing me (spoken: Is that so boy?)
Alcohol mama sure Lord killing me (spoken: Ought to let it alone then!)
Alcohol don't kill me I believe Lord I'll never die
I woke up early this morning crying alcohol 'round my bed (spoken: What happened then?)
Woke up this morning alcohol was 'round my bed
Says I'm gonna get drunk, I'm gonna have to speak my trouble in mind
Mmm mmm (spoken: Oh moan it a long time) mmm
Mmm I ain't gonna be here long (spoken: Moan it a long time boy)
Says I'm leaving town, I'm going to worry you off my mind
I drink so much of Jake till it done give me the limber leg
(spoken: And that's sure to mess you up)
Drinking so much of Jake till it done give me the limber leg
(spoken: Sure messes you up boy [there's no cure for] that)
If I don't quit drinking it every morning sure gonna kill me dead (spoken: You ain't no lying man)
Mmm mmm
Mmm (spoken: You ain't got) alcohol gonna kill me dead
And if it don't kill me Lord it sure gonna put me down
(spoken: You ain't gotta put 'em on me 'cause you got 'em)
I woke up up this morning crying alcohol on my mind
Woke up this morning alcohol was on my mind
I got them alcohol blues and I can't rest easy here
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Note: originally issued as Paramount 12950.