Lyrics:

Version 1 (20750-2) Chicago July 1928

I used to shake my foots in a midnight prance
I swear, I used to shake my feet in a midnight prance
Now they got me doin' a different kind of dance

I couldn't keep away from bad liquor, wild women, cards and dice
I couldn't keep away from bad liquor, wild women, cards and dice
Now I'm doin' the lock step and I ain't doin' so nice

Don't matter to me if it's sunshine, I mean, snow or rain
Don't matter to me if it's sunshine, I mean, snow or rain
Because I can't go go (2) gay-cattin' carryin' a ball and chain

Mean old jailer, he has taken my dancin' shoes
Mean old jailer has taken my dancin' shoes
I can't strut my jazzin' stuff when I got them lockstep blues

There's big rats in my cell and they keep me awoke all night
Big rats in my cell keep me awoke all night
My woman turned me down, I don't think that's right

Every mornin', I'm waltzin' down that big long hall
Every mornin', I'm waltzin' down that big long hall
I'm cravin' for my mama, and I ain't makin' no time at all