When Can I Change My Clothes
by 
Booker T. Washington White a.k.a. Bukka White 
recording of 1940, Chicago 
from 
The Complete Sessions 1930-1940 (Travelin' Man 3) 
& 
The Complete Bukka White (Columbia CK-52782) 
Never will forget that day when they had me in 
Parchman 
Jail 
Would no one even come and go my bail 
I wonder how long before I can change my clothes 
I wonder how long 'fore I can change my clothes 
So many days I would be sittin' down 
I would be sittin' down lookin' down on my clothes 
I wonder how long before I can change my clothes 
I wonder how long 'fore I can change my clothes 
So many days when the day would be cold 
They would carry me out into the rain and cold 
I wonder how long before I can change my clothes 
I wonder how long 'fore I can change my clothes 
So many days when the day would be cold 
You can stand and look at the convicts' toes 
I wonder how long before I can change my clothes 
I wonder how long 'fore I can change my clothes 
So many days I would be walkin' down the road 
I can hardly walk for lookin' down on my clothes 
I wonder how long before I can change my clothes 
I wonder how long 'fore I can change my clothes 
Never will forget that day when they taken my clothes 
Taken my citizen's cloths and throw them away 
I wonder how long before I can change my clothes 
I wonder how long 'fore I can change my clothes 
__________ 
Note 1: like 
Parchman Farm Blues 
, a song about his time in prison and in particular the uniform he had to wear; Bukka couldn't wait until the day when he could change back into his civilian clothes. 

Created by: 
Bluesman Harry 
Page last updated on: 
May 28 2000