Boweavil Blues
by 
Lovie Austin 
Ma Rainey 
recording of 
from 
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 (Columbia/Legacy C2K-47091) 
Hey boweavil 
don't bring them blues no more 
Hey boweavil don't bring them blues no more 
Boweavil's here, boweavil's everywhere you go 
I'm a lone boweavil, been out a great long time 
I'm a lone boweavil, been out a great long time 
For to sing this song, to ease boweavil's troublin' mind 
I don't want no sugar put into my tea 
I don't want no sugar put into my tea 
The mens are so evil, I'm scared they might poison me 
I went downtown 
I bought myself a hat 
I brought it back home 
I laid it on the shelf 
I looked in my bedroom 
Tired sleepin' by myself 
I'm tired sleepin' by myself 
__________ 
Note 1: bo or boll weevil or weavil, a grayish weevil, super-family of beetles that infests the cotton plant and feeds on the squares and bolls. 
drawing