[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A slow drag famously sung by Jelly Roll Morton, 1915
words and music by William C. Handy
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. Hello Central, what’s the matter with this line?
I want to talk to that High Brown of mine
Tell me how long will I have to wait?
Please give me 2 9 8, why do you hesitate?
What you say, can’t talk to my Brown!
A storm last night blowed the wires down
Tell me how long will I have to wait?
Oh, won’t you tell me now, why do you hesitate?
Chorus
“Procrastination is the thief of time,” so all the wise owls say
“One stitch in time may save nine,” tomorrow’s not today
And if you put off, somebody’s bound to lose
I’d be his, he’d be mine, and I’d be feeling gay
Left alone to grieve and pine, My best friend’s gone away
He’s gone and left me The Hesitating Blues
2. Sunday night my beau proposed to me
Said he’d be happy if his wifie I’d be
Said he “How long will I have to wait?
Come be my wife my Kate, why do you hesitate?”
I declined him just for a stall
He left that night on the Cannon Ball
Honey, how long will I have to wait?
Will he come back now, or will he hesitate?
Sung here by Fred Feild: