Downtown Blues

Downtown Blues (1928):

by Frank Stokes, who was born here in 1888. He died at age 67 in September, 1955, after a stroke and was buried here in the Hollywood Cemetery. One of the best (if not the best) of Memphis' bluesmen.

lyrics:

And I don't drink whiskey but I'm crazy 'bout my beer
And I don't drink whiskey but I'm crazy 'bout my beer
This is 1928 an' it must be a brand new year

An' if I's young? I'd take me to your back door
Ahhhhh.... Now take me to your back door
As the times get rough I ain't gon' make the trip no more

And I'm goin' downtown, gon' stay 'round there 'til dark
And I'm goin' downtown, gon' stay 'round there 'til dark
You don't like my treatment you can make you another stop

An' I'm sittin' right here, now, lookin' straight in your face
An' I'm sittin' right here, now, lookin' straight in your face
If you gon' do better, girl, it's time for to you make haste

Now when you lay down at night, lay down early, try to take your rest
Now when you lay down at night, lay down early, try to take your rest
You'll get a call by four o'clock, wake up and try to do your best

Now what make I know that my good gal like me so
Now what make I know that my good gal like me so
Because she takes her time, she do work everywhere she go