A blues fox-trot from 1924
Words and Fred Megson, Art Landry and Barron Keys
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I’ve got a pain in my knee
I’ve got a pain in my head
The doctor visited me
And said that I’d soon be dead
I can’t even eat, I can’t even sleep
Head to feet the pain seems to creep
When I am gone nobody’s tears will be shed
That’s what I mean
I said nobody’s tears will be shed
Down at the mill I work all day long
Work until I’m not very strong
What do I care?
I’ll soon be loafin’ instead
Chorus:
Keep that ripsaw away
I hear it buzzing all the day
I’ve got to lose those Ripsaw blues
When I get home again
That’s where I’ll stay
Labor was meant for horses and mules
So, give a gentleman his dues
My life I’ve spent like other poor fools
Take away those Ripsaw blues
- Maybe I’ll go where it’s cold
Maybe I’ll go where it’s hot
I’ll go wherever I’m told
Where that old ripsaw is not
Now some other man will soon take my place
Yes, he can! Hard word is “disgrace”
Those days are gone because I’m getting too old
That’s what I mean, I said
Because I’m getting too old
Beggars may beg, and stealers may steal
So the keg is full of cornmeal
What do I care?
They never pay me in gold
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: