Skip James - WASHINGTON D.C. HOSPITAL CENTER BLUES

recorded in 1964

Yes, I was a good man
But I'm's a po' man
You understand

In the hospital, now
In Washington D.C.
Ain't got nobody
To see about me

But I'm's a good man
But I'm's a po' man
You can understand

All the doctors
And nurses, too
They came and they asked me
'Who in the world are you?'

I says, I'm the good man
But I'm's a po' man
You can understand

The doctors and nurses
They shakin' their head
Said, 'Take this po' man
And put him to bed'

Because he's a good man
We know he's a po' man
We can understand

I didn't go home when
I had a-plenty to eat
I had good treatment
And a place to sleep

Because I was a good man
They knew I was a po' man
They could understand

I met a little damsel
She promised me
That she would love me
And always be sweet

She found out I was a po' man
And I thought I was a good man
She couldn't understand, no

Now, when she left me
She got in the do'
She waved me, good-bye
I haven't seen her no mo'

She found out I was a good man
She knew I was a po' man
She couldn't understand

The doctors and nurses
They shakin' my hand
Say, 'You can go home now, Skip
You's a sound, well man'

Because you's a good man
You's a po' man
We can understand

I'd taken my doctor
And I was shakin' his hand
I'm gon' play these, 'Hospital Blues'
'Till you's a wealthy man'

You took me as a good man
You know'd I was a po' man
You could understand

You know'd I was a good man
But I'm's a po' man

You-ooo can understand!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• blues
• skip james

[MrDucatis4rs]

May God preserve us to see Eric Clapton record a new album called "ME and mr. james !

[soulrongang]

See - Cecil Gant I'm A Good Man But A Poor Man (on YouTube)

Accordingly, this song is composed by Cecil Gant, recorded in 1948, and is in the public domain. It has also been recorded and performed by B B King over the years, who added in "I'm a blues man, and a poor man, but a good man". It shares the same refrain with this Skip James song. Did Skip James appropriate the refrain or was it the other way around? No matter what, a beautiful soulful song.

[pharcelle1]

This has made me feel very sad and very bitter. but let me take a leaf out of this heroes book, and keep it in my belly, and hope, they understand.

much appreciated D

[funwithFred]

@thegabatxdu11  Just your basic three chord blues progression...

[dalet63]

@boneshakre Thanks , I Don't think It could be Said any Better. Because I was a good man

They knew I was a po' man

They could understand

[MattysekCZ]

Great tune, great lyrics, great blues...

[vauxhall908]

it's in open d min. if that helps but you already new that if your looking for tabs on skip

[thegabatxdu11]

i love that song but it's impossible to find the guitar tab on web.

someone could help?

thanks

[im0rtel]

i was a good man , but i was a poor man ... you understand.