Beale Street Blues

I've seen the lights of gay Broadway, Old Market Street down by the Frisco Bay, I've strolled the Prado, I've gambled on the Bourse The seven wonders of the world I've seen And many are the places I have been. Take my advice, folks and see Beale Street first.

You'll see pretty Browns in beautiful gowns, You'll see tailor mades and hand me, downs You'll meet honest men and pick-pockets skilled You'll find that bus'ness never closes till somebody gets killed.

You'll see Hog-Nose rest'rants and Chitlin' Cafes You'll see Jugs that tell of bygone days And places, once places, now just a sham, You'll see Golden Balls enough to pave the New Jerusalem.

You'll see men who rank with the first in the nation Who come to Beale for inspiration, Politicians call you a dumb Unless you've been initiated in the rip riders club.

If Beale Street could talk If Beale Street could talk, Married men would have to take their beds and walk Except one or two, who never drink booze And the blind man on the corner who sings the Beale Street Blues.

I'd rather be here, than any place I know I'd rather be here than any place I know It's going to take the Sergant For to make me go,

Goin' to the river, maybe, bye and bye Goin' to the river, and there's a reason why Because the rivers wet and Beale Streets done gone dry.