Oh, Daddy

Transcribed from vocals by Ethel Waters, recorded 4/5/1921.
From Ethel Waters 1921 - 1923, The Chronogical Classics, vol. 796.

Just like a flower, I am fading away,
The doctor calls to see me 'most every day,
But he don't do me no good;
Why?
Because I'm longing for you.
And if you care for me,
You will listen to my plea:

Oh, Daddy, look what you're doing, look what you're doing!
Oh, Daddy!
You with you fooling;
Think what you're losing,
Oh, all the little lovings that I gave for you,
It's going to make you feel awfully blue,
When you miss me and long to kiss me,
You'll regret the day that you ever quit me.
Oh, Daddy,
Think when you're all alone,
Why, you'll want me, just wait and see,
But there'll be someone else making love to me!
Then, Daddy! Daddy! You won't have no lover at all.

Oh, Daddy, look what you're doing, look what you're doing!
Oh, Daddy,
You with your fooling,
Think what you're losing,
All the little lovings that I gave for you;
It's going to make you feel awfully blue,
When you miss me and long to kiss me,
You'll regret the day that you ever quit me.
Oh, Daddy,
Think when you're all alone,
Why, you'll want me, just wait and see,
But there'll be someone else making love to me!
Then, Daddy! Daddy! You won't have no lover at all.

Oh, Daddy

Transcribed from vocals by Bessie Smith, recorded April 11, 1923.
From Bessie Smith: 1923; The Chronological Classics 761.

Just like a flower, why, I'm fading away,
The doctor calls to see me 'most every day,
But he don't do me no good.
Why?
Because I'm lonesome for you.
And if you care for me,
Then you will listen to my plea.

Oh, Daddy! Look what you're doing!
Look what you're doing!
Oh, Daddy! You with your foolin',
Think what you're losin',
All the little love I gave you,
Is going to make you feel so awfully blue,
When you miss me and long to kiss me,
You'll curse the day that you ever quit me.
Oh, Daddy, think when you're all alone;
You'll just want me, just wait and see,
But there will be someone else making love to me!
Then Daddy, Daddy, you won't have no mama at all.

Oh, Daddy! Look what you're doing!
Look what you're doing!
Oh, Daddy! You and your foolin',
Think what you're losin',
All the little love I gave you.
Is going to make me feel so awfully blue,
When you miss me and long to kiss me,
You'll curse the day that you ever quit me.
Oh, Daddy, think when you're all alone,
You know that you are getting old,
You'll miss the way I baked your jellyroll!
Then, Daddy! Daddy! You won't have no mama at all.

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Find lyrics and musical scores in Bessie Smith Songbook!

Published 4/25/99.
Updated 9/23/99.

Ethel Waters starred in both the stage and film version of Cabin in the Sky. The movie also starred Lena Horne and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington had minor roles. Waters commented in her remarkable autobiography, His Eye is on the Sparrow, that she didn't enjoy making the movie -- too much behind-the-scenes back-biting.

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