Washington, D. C. Hospital Center Blues - Skip James

Yes, I was a good man

But I’m’s a po' man

You understand

In the hospital, now

In Washington D. C

Ain’t got nobody

To see about me

But I’m’s a good man

But I’m’s a po' man

You can understand

All the doctors

And nurses, too

They came and they asked me

'Who in the world are you?'

I says, I’m the good man

But I’m’s a po' man

You can understand

The doctors and nurses

They shakin' their head

Said, 'Take this po' man

And put him to bed'

Because he’s a good man

We know he’s a po' man

We can understand

I didn’t go hungry

I had a-plenty to eat

I had good treatment

And a place to sleep

Because I was a good man

They knew I was a po' man

They could understand

I met a little damsel

She promised me

That she would love me

And always be sweet

She found out I was a po' man

And I thought I was a good man

She couldn’t understand, no

Now, when she left me

She got in the do'

She waved me, good-bye

I haven’t seen her no mo'

She found out I was a good man

She knew I was a po' man

She couldn’t understand

The doctors and nurses

They shakin' my hand

Say, 'You can go home now, Skip

You’s a sound, well man'

Because you’s a good man

You’s a po' man

We can understand

I’d thankin' my doctor

And I was shakin' his hand

I’m gon' play these, 'Hospital Blues'

'Till you’s a wealthy man'

You took me as a good man

You know’d I was a po' man

You could understand

You know’d I was a good man

But I’m’s a po' man

You-ooo can understand!