Lyrics Maybe Not At All (10-28-25) - Ethel Waters

Maybe Not At All (10-28-25)

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, baby!
Ain’t knowed you long enough!
Don’t you think you’re kind of hasty
To pull that kind of stuff!
Don’t slam my front door, please, when you go out
Just because there was nothin' doin' what you was thinkin' about
Not on the first night, baby!
Or maybe not at all!
Maybe not at all!
Spoken:
Now, if Miss Clara Smith would sing the same song:
Not on the first night, baby!
Sweet Mama Clara ain’t knowed you long enough!
Why, don’t you think you’re kind of hasty
Just to pull that kind of stuff!
Run round the block, hot papa, and get yourself some air
This ain’t no seaport, daddy, don’t you try to anchor in here!
Because not on the first night, baby!
Or maybe not at all!
I say, maybe not at all!
Spoken:
I’m gettin' ready for the Empress, Miss Bessie Smith, lord!
Not on the first night, babe!
Ain’t knowed you long enough!
Don’t you think you kind of hasty
To pull that kind of stuff!
Be yourself, kind mister, that’s no way to act
Let my doorknob hit you in the middle of your back!
Not on the first night, baby!
Or maybe not at all!
I said, maybe not at all!