Them "Has-Been" Blues - Bessie Smith

Maybe you’d like to know, know why I’m blue

Know why I’m blue, know why I’m blue

Maybe some day it might happen to you

Yes, it might happen to you

When I tell my story, listen please do

It’s sad but true, please hear it through

Now if you’ve got a papa, then you will know

Just why the blues upset me so

Did you ever wake up with the sun’s early rise

And feel around the place where your sweet sweet papa lies

And when you find that he’s gone, and his pillow ain’t even warm

Well there you’re set for the news, just you’ve got them «has been» blues

You reach out for your stockin', you reach out for your skirt

You don’t know what you doin', your feelin' sure is hurt

You try to find your wrap up, can’t even find your hat

You stumble over the lockup and start to curse the cat

Rush to the front door and pull it open wide

Then you find a message peekin' right outside

It reads, «Goodbye sweet mama, now don’t you feel so blue

I’ve got another woman that’s a better gal than you!»

Did you ever wake up with the sun’s early rise

And feel around the place where your sweet man used to lay

And then you want to hang your head and climb right back into bed

Be satisfied with the news, Lord, you got them «has been» blues