The Ten Commandment Blues

(Everybody’s Sorrow Song)
A blues from 1924
Words by Arthur Glendale
Music by James King


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. We all have our troubles
    Over things we can’t do
    Life’s so full of problems
    That make me feel blue
    My soul is so doleful
    So, I’m asking you
    Now do you much blame me
    If I feel as I do

Chorus:
I got the ten, I got the ten
I got the ten commandment Blues
I’m down and out and have no doubt
The reason is I have too many don’ts to worry about
I’d like to do a thing or two
But try and find some fun that ain’t taboo
Thou shalt not steal or kill, or covet
Thou shalt not (Mmm Hum)
But gosh, how I love it
That melody haunts me
I know yielding is sin
I got the ten, I got the ten
I got the ten commandment Blues

  1. Now maybe you think that
    I should never complain
    Some folks have their worries
    That drive them insane
    But all of these shalt nots
    They give me a pain
    I’m so regulated
    That I sing this refrain

Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: