Pneumonia Blues
by probably 
Blind Lemon Jefferson 
recording of September 24 1929, Richmond 
from 
Blind Lemon Jefferson (Milestone 47022) 
& 
Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 4 (1929) (Document DOCD-5020) 
I'm achin' all over, baby, b'lieve I got the pneumonia this time 
I'm achin' all over, baby, b'lieve I got the pneumonia this time 
An' it's all on account of that low-down gal of mine 
Slippin' round the corners, running up alleys too 
Slippin' round the corners, running up alleys too 
Watching my woman trying to see what she goin' do 
Sat out in the streets one cold, dark, stormy night 
Sat out in the streets one cold, dark, stormy night 
Trying to see if my good gal going to make it home all right 
Wearin' B.V.D.'s 
in the winter, prowling 'round in the rain 
Wearin' B.V.D.'s in the winter, prowling 'round in the rain 
Runnin' down baby, give me this pneumonia pain 
__________ 
Note: diseases of the lungs accounted for a large number of deaths among the black community in the late 1920's and early 1930's, mainly caused by insufficient clothing, housing and medical care. Especially recently arrived migrants form the south, unaccustomed to the cold northern climate, improperly housed and with hardly any or no access to medical care had to pay a high price in human lives. Issued by Paramount under catalogue no. 12880; 
Note 1: B.V.D.'s, trademark, generally used for underwear.