Lonnie Johnson Lyrics
"Shiftin' My Gear Blues (1928)"

Lord, you know I love you mama, kiss you mornin', noon, and night.
Lord, you know I love you mama, kiss you mornin', noon, and night.
Lord, I work hard every day baby, try to treat you right.

Mama, you know when I found you, your people sat in a frown.
Mama, you know when I found you, your people sat in a frown
Lord, you give my money to your sweet man, now you drove me down.

Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord.
Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord.
It's true I love you mama, but you treat me like I was a dog.

(Now bite that thing, boy!) [spoken words]

(Ahhh, pick it!) [spoken words]

(Ahhh, pick it, Mr. Lonnie Johnson!) [spoken words]

Lord, you remember mama, when I come home to you?
Lord, can you remember mama, when I came home to you.
Lord, what you had mama, it never really wouldn't do.

But now course mama I'm getting old, creepin' up in years.
But I'm getting old mama, your daddy's creepin' up in years.
Lord, but I can climb that mountain mama, without drippin' my tears.