J.C. Holmes Blues (05-27-25) - Bessie Smith

Listen people if you want to hear

A story told about a brave engineer

J C Holmes was the rider’s name

A heavyweight wheelman with a might fame

JC said, with a smile so fine

«Woman gets tired o' one man at a time

Get two or three if you have to hide

If the train go an' leave you got a mule to ride!»

In the second cabin sat Miss Alice Bry

Goin' to ride with J C or die

«I ain’t good lookin' and I don’t dress fine

But I’m a ramblin' woman with a ramblin' mind!»

Just then the conductor hollered, «All aboard!»

And the porter said, «We got our load

Look a-here son, we oughta be gone

I feel like ridin' if it’s all night long!»

JC said, just before he died

Two more roads he wanted to ride

Everybody wondered what road it could be

He said, «The Southern Pacific and The Santa Fe»

J C said, «I don’t feel right

I saw my girl with a man last night

Soon as I get enough steam just right

I’ve been mistreated and I don’t mind dyin'!»