Diego’s Blues

Mama came to the Delta, 1922 Found a new home in the county they call Yazoo Well, her name was Juanita, born in Mexico Mamacita Juanita, born in Mexico Claimed she was kin to Santa Anna, famous from the Alamo Mama met my daddy workin' her tamale stand Well, my mama met my daddy workin' her tamale stand My daddy was a black man, proud to work his own land I was raised on tamales, collard greens an' blues Raised on tamales, good collard greens an' blues Never had much money, but we all wore store bought shoes Mama named me Diego, Señor Diego James Petway My mama named me Diego James Petway Ol' Uncle Bob taught me to barrelhouse this a-way Played 'round the Delta, never been to Chicago (No, man, I've never been out there) 'Round the Delta, never been to Chicago But I got a mind to meet my kin down in Mexico