Prohibition Blues

A popular song from 1919
Words and music by Tom Huston, Chas Matthews and Burrell Van Buren


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Listen buddies all of youse
    I have got some awful news
    On the first day of July
    Old John Barleycorn is gonna die
    And if you’ve got an awful thirst
    You better quench it ‘fore the first
    If you don’t heed this bit of news
    You’ll be singing Prohibition blues

Chorus
I’ve got the Prohibition blues
For want of intoxicating booze
Bevo and grape juice are mighty fine
But they don’t satisfy that longing of mine
There will be no more intemperant dues
That’s why I’ve got the Prohibition blues

  1. Goodbye old friend Rock and Rye
    To see you go makes me cry
    You made me happy, you made me glad
    You’re the best old pal I’ve ever had
    There ain’t no use to moan and cry
    For the water wagon will soon be bye
    Now that I have to give up booze
    I have got the Prohibition blues

Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: