Golden Rule Blues (11-20-25) - Bessie Smith

I can’t understand, I can’t keep my man

Won’t somebody please find him if you can

Tell him this for me

Give me back my key, I let him have five years ago

Bring me back my key, I let him have five years ago

You don’t know how to use it, you don’t need it no more

Looked for you at home, you never can be found

Looked for you at home, you never can be found

That’s the reason why you can’t carry my key around

Pretty papa, you must learn the rules

Pretty papa, you must learn the rules

Go to work every mornin' like all the other men do

Bring me your pay after your work every day

Bring me your pay after your work every day

That’s the only way you can make your pretty mama stay