Ethel Waters

Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead Pains in my head, feel like old Ned What did I do to be so black and blue? No joys for me, no company Even the mouse ran from my house All my life through I've been so black and blue I'm white inside, but that don't help...

Life is such a great adventure Learn to live it as you go No one in the world can censure What we do here below Don't save your kisses, just pass them around You'll find my reason is logic'lly sound Who's going to know that you passed them around A hundred y...

We've loved each other since we went to school, But just the same, you're acting cool, All these years, we've gambled in the game, To lose you now, would be a shame Don't say you don't want me, Don't say you're going away, For if you do, it will haunt me,...

I'm just a woman, a lonely woman Waiting on the weary shore I'm just a woman thats only human One you should feel sorry for Woke up this morning, along about dawn Without a warning I found he was gone How could he do it ? Why should he do it? He never done it...

Buds won't bud, breeze won't breeze and dew won't dew, One and one ain't even two When the love you love won't love you. Buds won't bud, chicks won't chick and micks won't mack, Blue is white and white is black When the love you love won't love back. On acco...

In this cloudy sky overhead now There's no guiding star I can see And I would be lost by each wild tempest tossed Oh, if I didn't know of a place we two can go There's a little cabin in the sky, Mister For me and for you I feel that it's true somehow Can't y...

Oh listen, sister I love my mister man and I can't tell you why Dere ain't no reason why I should love dat man It must be sumpin' dat de angels done plan De chimbley's smokin' De roof is leakin' in But he don't seem to care He can be happy With jes' a sip of g...

Love, oh love, oh careless love You've fly through my head like wine You've wrecked the life of a many poor girl And you nearly spoiled this life of mine Love, oh love, oh careless love In your clutches of desire You've made me break a many true vow Then you...

Here am I, I'm laying all my cards upon the table I'll be on the level just as far as I am able Open up the goods and I will let you see the label I'm strictly on the up and up I've got a lot, a lot of what I've got And what I've got's all mine I could spare...

Carolina Gave me Dinah; I'm the proudest one Beneath the Dixie sun. News is spreadin' 'Bout our weddin'; I hear church bells ringin', Here's the song my heart keeps singin': Dinah, Is there anyone finer In the state of Carolina? If there is and you know her,...

~~~♫♫♫ ~~~ Ever since the lucky night I found you I've hung around you just like a fool Falling head and heels in love like a kid out of school. My poor heart is in an awful state now But it's too late now to call a halt So if I become a nuisance it's all y...

I never felt So lonesome before; My friend has quit me; He's gone for sure; He broke my heart, For I loved him true; So now I'm worried, Lonesome and blue. I've got the blues on my mind, And I just feel like crying all the time. Woke up this mornin...

Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts, Boy, how they could love! Swore to be true to each other, True as the stars above! 'Cause he was her man, But he done her wrong! One night Frankie happened to pass by the hotel; Just casually glanced into a window so high,...

I feel bad, I feel sad, But it won't be very long Before I'll be feeling glad, I just sigh, I could die I have got Georgia blues, And I'm just too mean to cry; I don't live in Boston I wasn't born in Maine If I don't go to Georgia, I will surely go in...

A trifling man came home one night And tiptoed to his door To his despair, his little wifie was there Waitin' to lay down the law Said she, "I'm through, I'm really sick of you Get out, stay out, and be on your way" Well he dropped down on his knees Cried "oh...

It seems like happiness is just a thing called Joe He's got a smile that makes the lilac want to grow He's got a way that makes the angels heave a sigh When they know little Joe’s passing by Sometimes the cabin's gloomy and the table’s bare Soon he’ll kiss me...

Emeralds in my bracelets, diamonds in my rings A Riviera chateau and a lot of other things And I'm blue, so blue am I Lots of ready money in seven different banks I counted up this morning, it was 'bout a million francs And I'm blue, so blue and I know why I'...

Shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June, or July Snow time ain't no time to sit outdoors and spoon Shine on, shine on harvest moon for me 'n' my gal MONOLOGUE: C'mon, shine on harvest moon way up there...

We're having a Heat Wave, A tropical Heat Wave. The temp'rature's rising, It isn't surprising. She certainly can, can-can. She started the Heat Wave By letting her seat wave. And in such a way That the customers say That she certainly can, can-can. Gee her a...

Say, I've got the heebies, I mean the jeebies, Talking about The dance, the heebie jeebies, Do, because they're boys, Because it pleases me to be joy! Say, don't you know it? You don't know how, don't be blue, Someone will teach you Come on, and do th...

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home, When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I k...

What have I got that the others ain't That always seems to please T'ain't my perfume, nor my fancy paint But when I charm the men all swarm Just like they was bees There's honey in the honeycomb There's sugar in the cane There's oysters in a real oyster stew...

Gee, but it's tough to be broke, kid. It's not a joke, kid, it's a curse. My luck is changing, it's gotten from simply rotten to something worse Who knows, some day I will win too. I'll begin to reach my prime. Now though I see what our end is, All I can sp...

Days can be sunny, with never a sigh Don't need what money can buy Birds in the trees sing their day full of song Why shouldn't we sing along? I'm chipper all the day, happy with my lot How do I get that way? Look at what I've got I got rhythm, I got music I...

Many months have come and gone Since you called me on the phone To tell me that we were threw You'd thought it would break my heart But I fooled you from the start Because I never did trust you Well you'd thought you're mighty wise To run around with other...

Everybody look at me, Happy girlie, you will see, I've got someone nice, oh, gee! Oh, joy, what bliss! Just the treasure that I need, Pure as gold and guaranteed, Is he handsome? Yes, indeed! Let me tell you this I found a new baby, A sweet honey boy...

If you ever change your mind, Come back the minute that you do! I'll welcome you with open arms, Because I'm still in love with you! If you ever change your mind And think you've made a big mistake, Don't be afraid to let me know, We'll try again for old time...

It's only a paper moon Sailing over a cardboard sea But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me Yes, it's only a canvas sky Hanging over a muslin tree But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me Without your love It's a honky-ton...

Stop the traffic to Dixie Hold it right on the line Don’t want nothing come betwixt me And that old home of mine I’m so homesick andlonely Every hour seems a day For there’s one and one only Understands what I say I’m comin’ Virginia, I’m comin’ to stay; Don...

I don't care what the weatherman says When the weatherman says it's raining You'll never hear me complaining I'm certain the sun will shine I don't care how the weather vane points When the weather vane points to gloomy It's gotta be sunny to me When your eyes...

Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, if you please Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be. I am weak, but Thou art strong, Oh Lord, keep me from all wrong, I’ll be satisfied as long As I walk, dear Lord, close with Thee. Just...

My darling all around us people clamour They're striving for the thing they'll never own The only thing that hasn't lost its glamour Is love, and love alone What does it matter if we're rich or we're poor Fortune and fame they never endure For love is the thi...

Jim Johnson took me home last night, 'Twas the first time that we'd met, He claimed to be a small-town sheik, And all his jive he bet, He rest his hat and coat and said, "Here I'll stay." But his feathers fell when he heard me say: Not on the first night, bab...

Waking skies At Sunrise, Every sunset too, Seems to be Bringing me Memories of you. Here and there, Everywhere, Scenes that we once knew, And they all Just recall Memories of you. How I wish I could forget Those happy yesteryears That have left a rosary of t...

Daddy, Daddy, please come back to me! Daddy, Daddy, please come back to me! Your mama's lonesome as she can be. You left at midnight, Clock was striking twelve, Papa, you left me at midnight, When the clock was striking twelve, To face this cruel world...

Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today, madam Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today She is sorry to be delayed But last evening down in Lover's Lane she strayed, madam Miss Otis regrets she's unable to lunch today When she woke up and found Tha...

It must have been moonglow, way up in the blue It must have been moonglow that led me straight to you I still hear you sayin', "Dear one, hold me fast" And I keep on prayin', "Oh Lord, please let this last" We seemed to float right through the air Heavenly so...

Whoever said a good man was hard to find, Postively, absolutely sure was blind; I found the best that ever was, Here's just some of the things he does: He shakes my ashes, greases my griddle, Churns my butter, strokes my fiddle; My man is such a handy m...

You may wonder what's the reason For this great big smile; Say, I haven't been so happy In the longest while! Got a big load off my mind, Here's the papers, sealed and signed; And the judge was nice and kind, All through the trial. This ends the five...

Day-light gives me the shivers, Harlem did it some-how. Always hav-ing the jitters, Should be used to it now. Seventh Av-en-ue night life, Gets me bod-y and soul, Len-ox Av-en-ue mid-night, Gets my Sat-ur-day roll. Old Man Harlem gives me Sunday head-...

I'm so blue, lonesome, too And I wonder where you are tonight Not one word have I heard If you think of me, why don't you write? Oh, dear, how I need one sweet letter from you How I'd love to read one sweet letter from you You know that you left me so worried...

Organ grinder, organ grinder Organ grinder, play that melody Take your organ, grinder, and grind some more for me Grind it north, grind it north Grind it north, grind it east or west But when you grind it slow, that's when I like it best Organ grinder, organ...

Years we've been together Seems we can't get along, No matter what I do It don't appeal to you Makes no difference whether I am right I'm or wrong If we can't be sweethearts This much you can do Please don't talk about me when I'm gone Oh, Honey, though our f...

You're like Quicksand, quicksand Pulling me closer, closer In your arms Can't resist your loving charms You're like quicksand sinking me deeper In love with you The more I fight it The deeper in love I get Each time you hold me I feel nothing but happiness It...

You're just a lonely little river, But I have heard somebody say That someday you may Squeeze my home away. So roll along you lonely river And find your way to the sea, I don't bother you, Don't you bother me! You keep goin' your way, I'll keep goin' my wa...

No use of talkin' no use of talkin' You'll start in dog-walkin' no matter where. There's jazz-copation blues modulation, Just like a Haitian you'll rip and tear. Most everybody likes the blues Here's why I'm ravin', here's why I'm ravin' If it's blues you are...

Down in Georgia, got a dance that's new, Ain't nothin' to it, it's easy to do, Called "Shake That Thing," Oh, shake that thing! I'm gettin' sick and tired of telling you to shake that thing! Now, the old folks start doin' it, the young folks, too, But the old...

Two sweethearts in the country town the neighbors say, Lived happily the whole day long, Until one day he told her he must go away She wondered then what could be wrong. He said "You know it's true I love you best of all, And yet it's best that we should...

Someday, sweetheart, You may be sorry For what you've done To my poor heart; And you may regret Those vows that you've broken, And the things that you did to me That made us drift apart. Oh, you're happy now, And you can't see how Those weary blues Will ever...

I hate to see that evening sun go down I hate to see that evening sun go down Cause my baby, he's gone left this town Feelin' tomorrow like I feel today If I'm feelin' tomorrow like I feel today I'll pack my truck and make my give-a-way St. Louis woman with...

Don't know why There's no sun up in the sky Stormy weather Since my man and I ain't together Keeps raining all the time Life is bare Gloom and misery everywhere Stormy weather Just can't get my poor self together I'm weary all the time... the time... So weary...

Have you heard What I've done, Found a word, Just the one, That takes the place of one I used to call Baby doll! It ain't new, It ain't old, But if you'll do What you're told, You'll find the answer if you take a look In Mr. Webster's dictionary boo...

Supper time I should set the table 'Cause it's supper time Somehow I'm not able 'Cause that man of mine Ain't coming home no more Oh, supper time Kids will soon be yelling For this supper time While I keep from telling That that man of mine Ain't coming home...

She just got here yesterday, Things are hot here now, they say; There's a big change in town. Gals are jealous, there's no doubt; Still, the fellows rave about Sweet, sweet Georgia Brown! And ever since she came, The colored folks all claim, "Say," No gal ma...

TNT, gasoline, Even nitroglycerin, Ain't got the kick of kisses I get now, From my honey! Tried to call him a name, But they all seem much too tame, Why's he's so blamed cute-like, No name suits my Sweet man! My sweeter than sweet man, The steppin'es...

(scat) Oh, here I go again, I'm hearin' trumpets blow again, All aglow again, Takin' a chance on love. Here I slide again, About to take that ride again, Starry-eyed again, Takin' a chance on love. I thought the cards were a frame-up, And I never would try,...

Have you heard it, have you heard it, That Da Da Strain? It will shake you, it will make you Really go insane. Everybody's full of pep, Makes you watch your every step. Every prancer, every dancer, Starts to lay 'em down, Everybody when they hear it...

They say don't change the old for the new, But I've found out that this will never do, When you grow old, you don't last long, You're just here, my honey, then you're gone I loved a man for many years gone by, I thought his love for me would never die, He mad...

Three words in my dictionary I never could see But to my vocabulary I've added those three I'm waiting for someone to say them to me Three little words Oh, what I'd give for that wonderful phrase To hear those three little words That's all I'd live for...

Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger! Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger! Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him! Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger? Where oh where can he be? Low or highbrow,...

Weary of roamin' on, Yearning to see the dawn, Counting the hours till I can lay down my load. Weary, but I don't mind, Knowing that I'll soon find Peace and contentment at the end of the road. The way is long, the night is dark, But I don't mind 'cause a hap...

You leave me alone, you don't even phone You're carefree as a bird in the sky But what goes up must come down And, Baby, you've been flying too high It's all over town, you're chasing around But I'm not gonna sit home and cry Remember what goes up must come d...

Homesick tired All alone in a big city Why should ev'rybody pity me, Nighttime's falling, folks are a singin', they dance till break of day Dear Old Southland with it's dreamy songs Takes me back there where I belong How I'd love to be in mammy's arms When...

What good is the scheming, the planning and dreaming That comes with each new love affair The dreams that we cherish, so often might perish And leaves you with castles in air When you're alone, who cares for starlit skies When you're alone, the magic moonligh...

Sweet one, fairer than the flowers Never will I meet one sweeter than you Would you turn away or could you Really learn to care if I ever dare To say I love you If the nightingales could sing like you They'd sing much sweeter than they do For you brought a ne...

You're a sweetheart, if there ever was one If there ever was one, it's you Oh life ' life without you was an incomplete dream You are every sweet dream come true My search was such a blind one ' I was all at sea I never thought I'd find one quite so perfect f...