Empty Bed Blues
by 
J. C. Johnson 
recording of March 28 1928, New York City 
from 
The Complete Recordings, Vol. 4 (Columbia/Legacy 52838) 
I woke up this morning with a awful aching head 
I woke up this morning with a awful aching head 
My new man had left me, just a room and a empty bed 
Bought me a 
coffee grinder 
that's the best one I could find 
Bought me a coffee grinder that's the best one I could find 
Oh, he could grind my coffee, 'cause he had a brand new grind 
He's a deep sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong 
He's a deep sea diver with a stroke that can't go wrong 
He can stay at the bottom and his wind holds out so long 
He knows how to thrill me and he thrills me night and day 
Oh, he knows how to thrill me, he thrills me night and day 
He's got a new way of loving, almost takes my breath away 
Lord, he's got that sweet somethin' and I told my girlfriend Lou 
He's got that sweet somethin' and I told my girlfriend Lou 
From the way she's raving, she must have gone and tried it too 
(Part 2) 
When my bed get empty make me feel awful mean and blue 
When my bed get empty make me feel awful mean and blue 
My springs are getting rusty, sleeping single like I do 
Bought him a blanket, pillow for his head at night 
Bought him a blanket, pillow for his head at night 
Then I bought him a mattress so he could lay just right 
He came home one evening with his spirit way up high 
He came home one evening with his spirit way up high 
What he had to give me, make me wring my hands and cry 
He give me a lesson that I never had before 
He give me a lesson that I never had before 
When he got to teachin' me, from my elbow down was sore 
He boiled my first cabbage and he made it awful hot 
He boiled my first cabbage and he made it awful hot 
When he put in the bacon, it overflowed the pot 
When you git good lovin', never go and spread the news 
Yes, he'll double-cross you, and leave you with them empty bed blues