Lyrics J.C. Holmes Blues (05-27-25) - Bessie Smith

J.C. Holmes Blues (05-27-25)

Listen people if you want to hear
A story told about a brave engineer
J C Holmes was the rider’s name
A heavyweight wheelman with a might fame
JC said, with a smile so fine
«Woman gets tired o' one man at a time
Get two or three if you have to hide
If the train go an' leave you got a mule to ride!»
In the second cabin sat Miss Alice Bry
Goin' to ride with J C or die
«I ain’t good lookin' and I don’t dress fine
But I’m a ramblin' woman with a ramblin' mind!»
Just then the conductor hollered, «All aboard!»
And the porter said, «We got our load
Look a-here son, we oughta be gone
I feel like ridin' if it’s all night long!»
JC said, just before he died
Two more roads he wanted to ride
Everybody wondered what road it could be
He said, «The Southern Pacific and The Santa Fe»
J C said, «I don’t feel right
I saw my girl with a man last night
Soon as I get enough steam just right
I’ve been mistreated and I don’t mind dyin'!»