James Alley Blues (Informal Recording, NYC, 1963)

[Verse 1]

Times ain't what they used to be

Times ain't what they used to be

Oh I tell you people, lord, you can take it from me

Oh I seen better days and I'm putting up with these

Oh I seen better days and I'm putting up with these

But there's too many people and they're all too hard to please

'Cause I was born in the country, she thinks I'm easy to rule

'Cause I was born in the country, she thinks I'm easy to rule

She tried to hitch me to her wagon, she wants to drive me like a mule

You know I bought the groceries and I paid the rent

You know I bought the groceries and I paid the rent

She tried to make me wash her clothes but I got good common sense

I said if you don't want me, why don't you tell me so?

I said if you don't want me, why don't you tell me so?

'Cause it ain't like a man that ain't got nowhere to go

I believe I'm giving you sugar for sugar, let you get salt for salt

I believe I'm giving you sugar for sugar, let you get salt for salt

And if you can't get along with me, well it's your own fault

Now you want me to love you and you treat me mean

How do you want me to love you if you keep a-treating me mean?

You're my daily thought and my nightly dream

Sometimes I think that you too sweet to die

Sometimes I think that you too sweet to die

And another time I think you ought to be buried alive