Transcribed from vocals by Sara Martin, accompanied
by Fats Waller, recorded 12/1/1922.
From Fats
Waller 1922-1926; The Chronogical Classics, 664.
There ain't nothing I can do,
Or nothing I can say,
That the folks don't criticize
me;
But I'm gonna do just as I
Would do anyway,
And I don't care if they all despise
me!
If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, do, do, love, do, do.
If I let my best companion,
Drive me right in the canyon,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, if I do.
If I dislike my lover,
And leave him for another,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, do, do, love, do, do.
If I attend church on Sunday,
Then cabaret on Monday,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, if I do.
Well, I won't call no copper,
If I'm beat up by my papa,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, do, do, love, do, do.
I'd rather he would hit me,
Than jump right up and quit me,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, if I do
If my daddy got no money,
And I play bridge all night, honey,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, do, do, love, do, do.
If I give him my last nickel,
And it leaves me in a pickle,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, if I do.
Transcribed from vocals by Bessie Smith, recorded
April 26, 1923.
From Bessie
Smith: 1923; The Chronological Classics 761.
There ain't nothin' I can do,
Or nothin' I can say,
That folks don't criticize me,
But I'm going to do just as I want
to, anyway,
And don't care if they all despise
me.
If I should take a notion
To jump into the ocean,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, do, do, do.
If I go to church on Sunday,
Then just shimmy down on Monday,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, if I do.
If my friend ain't got no money,
And I say, "Take all mine, honey,"
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, do, do, do.
If I give him my last nickel,
And it leaves me in a pickle,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, if I do.
Say, I would rather my man would
hit me,
Than jump right up and quit me,
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, do, do, do.
I swear I won't call no copper,
If I'm beat up by my papa;
'Tain't nobody's business if I
do, if I do.
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Published 4/7/99.
Updated 9/23/99.
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