Sam Jones Blues

by Bernard / Robinson / Roy Turk recording of September 24, 1923 from The Complete Recordings, Vol. 1 (Columbia/Legacy C2K-47091) (Spoken: Who's that knockin' on that door Jones? You better get away from that door I don't know nobody named Jones You're in the right church, brother, but the wrong pew Sam Jones left his lawful wife, just to step around Came back home, 'bout a year Took it for his high brown Went to his accustomed shore And he knocked his knuckles sore His wife she came, but to his shame She knew his face no more Sam said, "I'm your husband, dear" But she said, "Dear, that's strange to hear" You ain't talkin' to Mrs. Jones You speakin' to Miss Wilson now I used to be your lawful mate But the judge done changed my fate Was a time you could-a' walked right in And call this place your home sweet home But now it's all mine, for all time I'm free and livin' all alone Don't need your clothes, don't need your rent Don't need your ones and twos Though I ain't rich, I know my stitch I earned my strutting shoes Say, hand me the key that unlocks my front door Because that bell don't read Sam Jones no more, no You ain't talkin' to Mrs. Jones You speakin' to Miss Wilson now __________ Note 1: pew, a compartment in the auditorium of a church providing seats for several persons. Also, one of the benches with backs and sometimes doors fixed in rows in a church.

 

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