Eavesdropper's Blues
by 
J.C. Johnson 
recording of January 9 1923 
from 
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 (Columbia/Legacy C2K-47091) 
I heard the folks were talking here yesterday 
As I listened by the door 
Would eavesdrop 
'cause they never hear no good, they say 
And I heard things that hurt me so 
They said I had a man I give my money to 
They said I had a man I give my money to 
And if I was broke he would turn my eyes all blue 
They talked about my pa who was blind in one eye 
They talked about my pa who was blind in one eye 
They said he was a sinner and was too mean to cry 
I never knock nobody, wonder why they picked on me 
I never knock nobody, wonder why they picked on me 
There's goin' to be a funeral if they don't let me be 
I never stopped to listen, to try and hear no good news 
I never stopped to listen, to try and hear no good news 
I hear things about me, give me those eavesdropper's blues 
__________ 
Note 1: eavesdrop, to listen secretly to what is said in private. Etymology: probably back-formation from eavesdropper, literally, one standing under the drip from the eaves (= the lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall).