Bessie Smith I'm Down In The Dumps
My man's got somethin', he gives me such a thrill
Every time he smiles at me, I can't keep my body still
I done cried so much, look like I've got the mumps1
I can't keep from worryin' 'cause I'm down in the dumps2
I had a nightmare last night, when I laid down
When I woke up this mornin', my sweet man couldn't be found
I'm goin' down to the river, into it I'm goin' to jump
Can't keep from worryin' 'cause I'm down in the dumps
Someone knocked on my door last night when I was asleep
I thought it was that sweet man of mine makin' his 'fore day creep
Wasn't nothin' but my landlord, a great big chump
Sat 'way from my door Mr. landlord, 'cause I'm down in the dumps
When I woke up my pillow was wet with tears
Just one from that man o' mine seems like a thousand years
But I'm gonna straighten up, straighter than Andy Gump
Ain't no use of me tellin' that lie 'cause I'm down in the dumps
I'm twenty-five years old, that ain't no old maid
I got plenty of vim and vitality, I'm sure that I can make the grade
I'm always like a tiger, I'm ready to jump
I need w whole lot's of lovin' 'cause I'm down in the dumps
__________
Note 1: mumps, a viral infectious disease, fever is one of the symptoms;
Note 2: down in the dumps, a gloomy state of mind.
