Poor Kelly Blues
by 
Big Maceo Merriweather 
recording of 1941-'42 
from 
Bluebird Recordings 1941-1942 (RCA 66715) 
I went up on the mountain, to see what Poor Kelly done 
He killed his woman, an' didn't even attempt to run 
Up on the mountain, just to see what Poor Kelly done 
Well, he killed his woman, an' he didn't even attempt to run 
When I found Poor Kelly, he was standing in the door 
With a thirty-two twenty and a forty-four 
When I found Poor Kelly, he was standing in the door 
With a thirty-two twenty and a hard-hitting, forty-four 
I asked him was he was sorry, he said, 
"Nobody know, just can't stand the way she was treatin' me, anymore, 
Just couldn't stand, the way she was doin' me, anymore, 
She's a dirty-mistreater, she won't 
jive 
me no more" 
He said, "I know I loved her, better than I did myself, 
She misused me, for somebody else, 
She know I loved her, better than I did myself, 
Still she tried to misuse me, for somebody else" 
"I know they gonna get me", he said, "But I know I don't care, 
They may even send me, to the 'lectric chair, 
I know they gonna get me, but babe, I don't care, 
There's one consolation, they won't leave my woman, here"