Bessie Smith Beale Street Mama lyrics

Jenny Neale
Down in Beale
Gave her papa the air

Left him cold
Got him told
Said she didn't care

Old Joe, her beau
Looked just like he would die
If you was near him
You would hear him

Sob his mournful cry
Beale Street papa
Why don't you come back home?
It isn't proper to leave your mama all alone

Sometimes I was cruel, that was true
But papa, you know mama never two-timed you
Boo, hoo, I'm blue

So how come you do me like you do?

I'm cryin'
Beale Street papa, don't mess around with me
There's plenty pettin' that I can get in Tennessee
I'll still get my sweet cooking, constantly

But not the kind you served to me
So Beale Street papa, come back home
So how come you do me like you do?

I'm cryin'
Beale Street papa, don't mess around with me
There's plenty pettin' that I can get in Tennessee
I bought a rifle, razor and a knife
A full support [unverified] can't save my life
So Beale Street papa, come back home