Transcribed from vocals by Bessie Smith, recorded
9/27/1927,
From Bessie
Smith, 1927-1928; Chronological Classics 870.
Yes, bedbugs sure is evil; they
don't mean me no good.
Yeah, a bedbug sure is evil; they
don't mean me no good.
Think he's a woodpecker, and I'm
a chunk of wood.
When I lay down at night, I wonder
how can a poor gal sleep,
When I lay down at night, I wonder
how can a poor gal sleep,
When some is holdin' my hand, others
is eatin' my feet.
Bedbugs as big as a jackass, will
bite you and stand and grin,
Bedbugs as big as a jackass, will
bite you and stand and grin,
They'll bring all the bedbugs for
to turn around and bite you again,
Something moaned in a corner, I
tried my best to see,
Something moaned in a corner, and
I went over and see,
It was a bedbug mother prayin',
"Lord, give me some more to eat."
Got myself a wishbone, bedbugs done
got my goat,
Got myself a wishbone, wish they'd
cut their own doggone throats.
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Published 9/28/00.
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