Hoagy Carmichael, Washboard Blues - Lyrics

The following version is transcribed from the 1927 Carmichael recording with Paul Whiteman's Orchestra and the Rhythm Boys

Mornin’ comes with cloudy skies and rain

Ma po back is broke with pain

My man’s sleepin’, I’se ascrubbin’, chillin’, weepin’

I’se arubbin’, Pains acreepin’, clothes atubbin’

All day long.

Up to dat washin’ soap

And down to dat wattah onct mo’

Head down low—head low—

Up to dat washin’ soap

And down to dat wattah wance mo’

Po’ hans go—oh Lordy.

So weary of scrubbin’, days dreary—

So weary of tubbin’ dem clothes,

Up to de washin soap—

Down to dat wattah wance mo’.

Wash Board Blues.

Never git me gon from heah—

Srubbin’ dirty clothes all yeah—

Dem clothes, dem muckety clothes

Dem raggedy clothes, dem grimey clothes, that's all I know

Up and down, back and forth, all year long

Oh Lordy, won’t you hear my song, hear my song.

Washin’ in a shanty on de shore

The river swingin on by de door

Heah dat river—lowly callin’

I’se ashivah—nights afallin’

Heah dat river lowly moanin’—moanin’ low.

I agoin’ to dat river

Goin’ down to dat river some day

Hurry day—hurry day—hurry day—hurry

I agoin’ to dat river—

Goin’ down to dat river someday—

Thro mahself—ma po self—self away—

Oh Lordy

Mus’ akeep scrubbin’—mus’ akeep tubbin’—mus’ akeep drubbin’--mus' akeep tubbin

Them ole dirty clothes—

But I’m goin’ to dat river—

Goin’ down to dat river some day

Hurry day—hurry day—hurry day—hurry.