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Jail House Blues

by Whistler and His Jug Band

on Country Blues Outlaws (2009)

I remember that last election
When the white folks was in action
Trying to get a man for president

I had one brother named Moses
Also a great promoter
Always looking for some good advice
I told him to go to the polls
And vote with his heart and soul
Instead of voting once he voted twice
But now he's down in jail
No one to go his bail
The judge done said that he refused a fine

He's in a jailhouse now
He's in a jailhouse now
I told the boys to stay at home
And let those people's business alone
He's in a jailhouse now

Remember New York City
Folks said it was a pity
Landlords had to raise that rent so high
We hustled round that town
In all our hustlin' round
We could not raise that rent no way we tried
My mother took in washin'
And my sister done the ironing
I helped around the town by shining shoes
But my daddy walked around
Like he owned New York town
Spending all those money buyin' moonshine booze

Pa's in the jailhouse now
Pa's in the jailhouse now
Fast as Ma could get that rent
Pa was stealing ev'ry cent
Pa's in the jailhouse
I mean Pa's in the jailhouse now

I went out last Friday
I met a big fat girl named Ida
She thought I was the swellest coon in town
She commenced to call me honey
Naturally, I begin to spend my money
We took in ever' cabaret that could be found
We were drinkin' ev'ry minute
I thought I was in it
I was buyin' Jamaica ginger by the gallon
But when I went to pay that man
I found little Ida's hand
Right in my pocket where my money was

She's in the graveyard now
She's in the graveyard now
I told that judge right to his face
Ida's hand was out of place
She's in the graveyard
I mean She's in the graveyard now