I've got the meanest man in the
land,
But his love is that sticky brand;
His kiss lingers on my lips,
And they tingle to my fingertips;
People say I'm a fool,
'Cause he's heartless and also
cruel,
But outside of that, he's all right
with me!
Outside of that, he's sweet as he
can be!
I love him as true as stars above,
He beats me up, but how he can
love,
I never loved like that since the
day I was born.
I said, "Papa, I don't want you
no more;"
When I said that, I made sweet
papa sore,
He got right sore.
He blacked my eye, I couldn't see,
Then he pawned the things that
he gave to me;
But outside of that, he's all right
with me!
I said for fun, "I don't want you
no more;"
And when I said that, I made my
papa sore,
He got real sore;
When he pawned my things, I called
him a thief,
Just for that he turned around
and knocked out both my teeth!
But outside of that, he's all right
with me!
Transcribed from vocals by Bessie Smith, recorded
May 28, 1923.
From Bessie
Smith: 1923; The Chronological Classics 761.
I've got the meanest man in the
land,
But his love is best, thick and
grand,
His kiss just lingers on my lips,
And thrill me to my fingertips.
People say I'm a fool,
He's heartless and also cruel.
But outside of that, he's all right
with me!
Outside of that, he's sweet as he
can be,
I love him as true as stars above;
He beats me up, but how he can
love;
I never loved like that since the
day I was born.
I said for fun, I don't want you
no more.
And when I said that, I made sweet
papa sore;
He blacked my eye, I couldn't see,
Then he pawned the things he gave
to me.
But outside of that, he's all right
with me!
I said for fun, I don't want you
no more.
And when I said that, I made sweet
papa sore;
When he pawned my things, I said,
"You're a dirty old thief!"
Now, then he turned around and
knocked out both of my teeth.
Outside of that, he's all right
with me!
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Published 10/1/99.
Updated 11/19/99.
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