Mean Old Bed Bug Blues

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.

Return to the Heptune Jazz and Blues Lyrics Page.

Find lyrics and musical scores in Bessie Smith Songbook!

Published 9/28/00.

	ArtistSongAlbumComposerCompositionInstrument