[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
But I’m happy
a 1918 popular song
words by Henry Creamer
music by Turner Layton
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. Blues ain’t nothin’ but the
Easy goin’ heart disease
Brother stop your moanin’
Blues can’t make you warmer
If you’re bound to freeze
Sister stop your groanin’
Why don’t you rise and shine
Take dem blues right off your mind
‘Cause the blues ain’t nothin’
But the easy goin’ heart disease
That’s all! Lawd!
Chorus
Everybody’s crazy ’bout the doggone blues
But I’m happy, (whew) yes happy, (whew)
Everybody’s crazy, but if I must choose
No doggone blues for mine
I gets aplenty to eat, I never worry
Shoes on my feet, don’t have to hurry
I’m not afraid, my rent is paid
And I can sleep at ninety-four in the shade
Everybody’s singing lotta bad old news
But I’m happy, (whew) yes happy, (whew)
Life’s too doggone short to weep and whine
Dem home sickness blues, Lawd! take ’em away
Every body’s crazy ’bout the doggone blues
But I’m happy all of the time, (whew)
2. You all know how Mister Jonah
Got into that whale
Fell into the ocean
There’s one man that should have
Sung the blues but failed
Never had the notion
Old Jonah knew dem whales
‘Stead of blues he ragged the scales
Then the whale got gay and let
Old Jonah slip right out of jail
No lie! Lawd!
Sung here by Fred Feild: