Long John Nelson had been her man
Long before this story began;
Sweetie cooked on the Avenue.
Long John's loving was all he'd do.
When Sweetie Pie came home at night
She brought his grub and fed him well
Then she would fuss and pick a fight
Till he beat her and gave her hell.
She would cuss and scream, call him black
Triflin' man git outa my sight;
Then she would love him half the night.
And when he'd leave she'd beg him back.
Till a yellow gal came to town
With coal black hair and bright blue gown.
And she took Long John clean away
From Sweetie Pie one awful day.
Sweetie begged him to please come back
But Long John said, "I'm gone to stay."
Then Sweetie Pie would moan and cry
And sing the blues both night and day:
"Long John, Baby, if you'll come back
I won't never call you black;
I'll love you long and love you true
And I don't care what else you do."
But Long John said, "I'm really through."
They're still apart this very day.
When Long John got a job to do
Sweetie got sick and wasted away.
Then after she had tried and tried
One day Sweetie just up and died.
Then Long John went and quit his job
And up and left his yellow bride.
Written by Margaret Walker (1915-1998)
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