[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
One of the first successful blues, 1920
words and music by Perry Bradford
The sheet music:
Accompaniment – player piano roll Golden Age 138
played by Pete Wendling:
Lyrics
1. I can’t sleep at night, I can’t eat a bite
‘Cause the one I love, he don’t treat me right
It makes me feel so blue, I don’t know what to do
Sometimes I sit and sigh, and then begin to cry
He went away and never said goodbye
I could read his letters but I sure can’t read his mind
I thought he’s loving me and he was leaving all the time
So, now I’ve seen that my poor love was blind
Chorus
So, now I’ve got the Crazy Blues
Since my babe went away
I ain’t got no time to lose
I must find him today
The doctor’s goin’ to do all that he can
But what he’s goin’ to need is the undertaker man
‘Cause my love has been refused
So, now I got the Crazy Blues
2. I am feelin’ sad, nothing makes me glad
Since my babe went away, nearly drives me mad
It makes me feel so bad, And I’m so very sore
Sometimes I cry and moan, he left me all alone
He went away and left me all alone
Went down to the railroad and laid my head on the track
I thought about baby and then I quickly snatched it back
My baby gone and he gave me the sack
Chorus
So, now I’ve got the Crazy Blues
Since my babe went away
I ain’t got no time to lose
I must find him today
Goin’ to do like a china man, get some hop
Get myself a gun and shoot myself a cop
‘Cause my love has been refused
So, now I got the Crazy Blues
Sung here by Fred Feild