Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer Bessie Smith

"Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer" by Bessie Smith, released in 1933, is a classic blues song. The lyrics express a longing for simple pleasures, highlighting themes of escapism and indulgence. Musically, it features strong vocals and a jazzy piano accompaniment. The song reflects the cultural spirit of the era, celebrating resilience and joy amid hardship. #Blues

(spoken: Twenty-five cents? Ha! No! No! I wouldn't pay twenty-five cents to go in nowhere 'cause listen here)
Up in Harlem ev'ry Saturday night when the high-browns git together it's just too tight
They all congregates at an all night strut
And what they do is tut-tut-tut
Old Hannah Brown from 'cross town gets full of corn and starts breakin' 'em down
Just at the break of day you can hear old Hannah say
"Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer"
Send me gate
I don't care
I feel just like I wanna clown
Give the piano player a drink because he's bringin' me down
He's got rhythm, yeah!
When he stomps his feet, he sends me right off to sleep
Check all your razors and your guns
We gonna be rasslin' when the wagon comes
I wanna pigfoot and a bottle of beer
Send me 'cause I don't care
Slay me 'cause I don't care
Gimme a reefer and a gang o' gin
Slay me, 'cause I'm in my sin
Slay me 'cause I'm full of gin
Check all your razors and your guns
Do the
Shim-sham shimmy
Till the risin' sun

Previous Lyric Next Lyric