That Black Snake Moan
by 
Blind Lemon Jefferson 
recording of circa June 1926, Chicago, Illinois 
from 
Blind Lemon Jefferson (Milestone 47022) 
I - I ain't got no mama now 
I - I ain't got no mama now 
She told me late last night, "You don't need no mama no how" 
Mmm, mmm, black snake crawlin' in my room 
Mmm, mmm, black snake crawlin' in my room 
Some pretty mama better come and get this black snake soon 
Ohh-oh, that must have been a bed bug, baby a chinch can't bite that hard 
Ohh-oh, that must have been a bed bug, honey a chinch can't bite that hard 
Ask my sugar for fifty cents, she said "Lemon, ain't a child in the yard" 
Mama, that's all right, mama that's all right for you 
Mama, that's all right, mama that's all right for you 
Mama, that's all right, most seen all you do 
Mmm, mmm, what's the matter now? 
Mmm, mmm, honey what's the matter now? 
Sugar, what's the matter, don't like no black snake no how 
Mmm, mmm, wonder where my black snake gone? 
Mmm, mmm, wonder where this black snake gone? 
Black snake mama done run my darlin' home 
__________ 
Note: Jefferson's first single for Paramount was also his most successful recording. An excellent example of how Blind Lemon used overtly suggestive sexual imagery without becoming salacious; 
Note 1: Chinch bug, defined in different terms as a type of bed bug and as another insect which is destructive to types of lawn grass; 
Note 2: lyric is garbled, "Most seen all you do" is a best guess.