Lyrics:

As sung on Live At Newport-Live At Mr. Kelly (1971)

Ain't this a pity, people ain't this a cryin' shame
Ain't this a pity, people ain't this a cryin' shame
Well you know it's nine below zero, she put me down for another man

Gave her all of my money, all of my love and everything
I gave her all of my money, all of my love and everything
Nine below zero, she put me down for another man

She lied to me, she didn't tell me everything
She lied to me, the woman didn't tell me everything
Well you know its nine below zero cousin, she put me down for another man

Ain't this a pity, people ain't this a cryin' shame
Ain't this a pity, people ain't this a cryin' shame
It's nine below zero, she put me down for another man
(Well alright!)

I'm gonna retire on the delta, layin' out there in the fallin' rain
I'm gonna retire on the delta, layin' out there in the fallin' rain
You know it's nine below zero people, and my love don't mean a thing

As sung on Muddy 'Mississippi' Waters Live (1979)
Nine below zero and that fool done put me down
Nine below zero and that fool done put me down
Well you know I don't have nowhere to stay and I don't have a lossy dime

Yeah ain't that a pity people ain't that a cryin' shame
Yeah ain't that a pity people ain't that a cryin' shame
Well it's nine below zero and put me down for another man

I bought her a Cadillac, I even bought her a diamond ring
Yeah, I bought my babe a Cadillac, I bought her a diamond ring
Yeah you know it's nine below zero and my love don't mean a thing

It Nine below zero and that fool done put me down
Yeah it's Nine below zero and that fool done put me down
Well you know I ain't got no place to stay and I don't have a lossy dime

I'm gonna retire on the Delta, layin there in the falling rain
Yeah, I'm gonna retire on the Delta, out there in the falling rain
Well it got nine below zero and the fool put me down for another man

Nine below zero and that fool done put me down
Nine below zero and that fool done put me down
Yeah you know I don't have no place to stay and I don't have a dime