SUFFER TO SING THE BLUES
(David Bromberg)I sat in on a poker game last Friday night.
I won a couple hands, people; I was doin' alright.
I bet my money on a straight from the nine up to the king,
But when the dealer showed his hand he had the same damn thing.
It seems I always lose.
You've got to suffer if ya wanna sing the blues.You know sometimes I play the horses but it seems I never win.
I went out to the races late last week again.
This time I won three hundred dollars, but as I left the track,
Some greasy man come up behind me, stuck a gun in my back.
It seems I always lose.
You've got to suffer if ya wanna sing the blues.
I've got a sweet little girl; they call her Runaround Sue.
She's kinda rank lookin' but she knows how to do.
Well now, old Sue she's got a boyfriend; they call him Gentleman Jim.
I said, "Listen, Susan, sweetheart, choose me or him."
And she said, "You lose."
You've got to suffer if ya wanna sing the blues.Well, you can sing a happy song if you're glad.
You can sing a protest song if you're mad.
Ah, but if you want to sing the blues,
Then, boy, you better learn how to lose.It seems like I have had these same old blues now since all time began,
So I went to talk my troubles to the hoodoo man.
I told him all about my problem and I asked him what was wrong.
He's says, "You've got to live the blues if you want to sing your song."
Seems like I'll always lose.
You've got to suffer if ya wanna sing the blues.
Well, you can sing a happy song if you're glad.
You can sing a protest song if you're mad.
Ah, but if you want to sing the blues,
Then, boy, you better learn how to lose.I went and bought myself a lottery ticket just to change my luck.
I thought I wouldn't mind the losin' 'cause it only cost a buck.
I won an electric toaster and a baritone sax,
But I had to pawn my clothes just to pay off the tax.
It seems I always lose.
You've got to suffer if you want to—.
I always lose.
You've got to suffer if you want to—.
How come I always lose?
You've got to suffer if you want to sing the blues.