Skip James – Catfish Blues lyrics

Note: hyphen=word unsung


I would ruther, be a little catfish
So I could swim way down
In the sea-ee
I would have somebody, somebody
Settin' out hooks for me
Settin' out a hook for me
A hook for -

You know I went
To my baby's house
She told me to sit down
On her step
'Sir, you can come right on in
Because my
Husband just now left
He just now left
He just now -

An I, asked my baby
To let me sit down
'Side her bed
Turn on yo' heater, baby
'Till it turn cherry red
Cherry red
Red an cherry red

That's the reason I ruther
Be a little catfish
So I could swim way down
In the sea-ee
I would have netted
Some of these women
Settin' out a line for me
Settin' out their line for me
A line for -

You know I went
To the church house
And they called on
Me to pray-ay
I got down on my knees
But I didn't, no
Have no word to say
Not a word to say
No word to say

That's the reason I ruther
Be a little catfish
So I could swim
Way down in the sea-ee
I would have somebody, somebody
Settin' out a line for me
Settin' out a line for me
A line for -

I don't wanna
Be no tadpole
And I don't want ta be
No bullfrog
An if I can't be
Be your catfish
I won't swim at all
No, I won't swim at all
No, swim at -

That's the reason I want ta
Be a little catfish
So I could swim way down
In the sea-ee
I would have these goodlookin' women
Settin' out a hook for me
Settin' out a hook for me
A hook for. -

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