Downhearted Blues
by Lovie Austin Alberta Hunter recording of February 16, 1923 from The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 (Columbia/Legacy C2K-47091) Gee, but it's hard to love someone when that someone don't love you I'm so disgusted, heartbroken, too I've got those down hearted blues Once I was crazy 'bout a man He mistreated me all the time The next man I get he's got to promise to be mine, all mine If I could only find the man oh how happy I would be To the good Lord ev'ry night I pray Please send my man back to me I've almost worried myself to death wond'ring why he went away But just wait and see he's gonna want me back some sweet day Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days Trouble, trouble, I've had it all my days It seems that trouble's going to follow me to my grave Got the world in a jug, the stopper's in my hand Got the world in a jug The stopper's in my hand Going to hold it, baby, till you come under my command Say, I ain't never loved but three men in my life No, I ain't never loved but three men in my life 'T'was my father, brother and the man who wrecked my life 'Cause he mistreated me and he drove me from his door Yeah, he mistreated me and he drove me from his door But the good book says you'll reap just what you sow Oh, it may be a week and it may be a month or two Yes, it may be a week and it may be a month or two But the day you quit me honey, it's coming home to you Oh, I walked the floor and I wrung my hands and cried Yes, I walked the floor and I wrung my hands and cried Had the down hearted blues and couldn't be satisfied __________ Note: Bessie Smith's first recording and a hit record that made her famous as well. He, he's, man, brother, father respectively she, she's, gal/woman, sister and mother when the speaker is male.
