Catfish Blues - Skip James

I would ruther, be a little catfish

So I could swim way down

In the sea-ee

I would have somebody, somebody

Settin' out hooks for me

Settin' out a hook for me

A hook for —

You know I went

To my baby’s house

She told me to sit down

On her step

'Sir, you can come right on in

Because my

Husband just now left

He just now left

He just now —

An I, asked my baby

To let me sit down

'Side her bed

Turn on yo' heater, baby

'Till it turn cherry red

Cherry red

Red an cherry red

That’s the reason I ruther

Be a little catfish

So I could swim way down

In the sea-ee

I would have netted

Some of these women

Settin' out a line for me

Settin' out their line for me

A line for —

You know I went

To the church house

And they called on

Me to pray-ay

I got down on my knees

But I didn’t, no

Have no word to say

Not a word to say

No word to say

That’s the reason I ruther

Be a little catfish

So I could swim

Way down in the sea-ee

I would have somebody, somebody

Settin' out a line for me

Settin' out a line for me

A line for —

I don’t wanna

Be no tadpole

And I don’t want ta be

No bullfrog

An if I can’t be

Be your catfish

I won’t swim at all

No, I won’t swim at all

No, swim at —

That’s the reason I want ta

Be a little catfish

So I could swim way down

In the sea-ee

I would have these goodlookin' women

Settin' out a hook for me

Settin' out a hook for me

A hook for.

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