[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1929.
Words by Jack Yellen.
Music by Milton Ager.
Sheet music provided by Laurence Rubenstein:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
When you find a woman that a man can trust
You’ll be findin’ what ain’t yet been found
The only kind o’ woman that a man can trust
Is a woman down below the ground
(Response)
The only kind o’ woman that a man can trust
Is a woman down below the ground
Had ten sweet mammas on the L & N
And I had ’em up and down the line
Along came one of them two timin’ trav’lin’ men
And then I only had nine
Had nine sweet mammas waitin’ patiently
But we hit Mobile two hours late
And another porter got to town ahead of me
And then I only had eight
Had eight sweet mammas and each mamma’s door
Was a golden gate to Heaven
But one got religion wouldn’t shake that thing no more
Then I only had seven
(Response)
Wouldn’t shake that thing, cha cha cha
Wouldn’t shake that thing, cha cha cha
Wouldn’t shake that thing, cha cha cha
Now he’s only got seven
Had seven sweet mammas till one afternoon
I got into an awful fix
One mamma’s husband came home just one day too soon
And then I only had six
(Response)
One mamma’s husband came home a day too soon
Then he only had six. Wah
Had six sweet mammas who missed me more
That any lovin’ man alive
One night one mamma missed me with a forty-four
And then I got along with five
(Response)
One mamma missed him with a forty-four
Then he got a long with five. Wah
Had five sweet mammas for my sweet caress
But a brown skin down in Baltimore
She moved away and didn’t leave no forwarding address
And thend I only had four
(Response)
She moved away and left him no new address
Then he only had four. Wah
Had four sweet mammas that I craved to keep
But Lady Luck was mean to me
One mamma overheard me talking in my sleep
And then I only had three
(Response)
One mamma heard him talking right in his sleep
And then he only had three. Wah
Had three sweet mammas, one a brown skin gal
Who lived on Lenox avenue
I introduced that mamma to my best pal
And then I only had two
(Response)
He introduced that mamma to his best pal
Then he only had two. Wah
Had two sweet mammas for my jelly roll
Guess what one sweet mamma went and done
Down by the navy yard she took a midnight stroll
Next morning I had only one
(Response)
Down by the navy yard she took a midnight stroll
Then he only had one
Had one sweet mamma and to save my life
I couldn’t even keep that one
Dog-gone her if she didn’t catch me with my wife
And one from one leaves none
(Response)
Can’t trust a woman so I have found
The only kind o’ woman that a man can trust
Is a woman down below the ground
Sung here by Fred Feild: