Michael Crippen ©2005
Mean Joe Turner sittin in the kitchen
Eatin sweet potatoes neath the noon day sun.
The devil told Turner, “I’m comin back to get you.”
Turner told the devil, “better bring a gun.”
And it’s Hi, Hi sweet horseradish
Panama hats and red potato pie.
A box- blade fan blowin ninety miles an hour,
Cross my heart and pretend to die.
The devil claps his hands and the kitchen goes dark
Turner finds a match and strikes a holy spark.
The dogs in the alley start to howl and moan
If it wasn’t for my shadow I’d be sittin here alone.
Chorus
On Tombstone Hill they say it’s tears and sweat.
You get across the river and there’s nothing to regret.
The devil draws a line on the kitchen floor,
Sayin, “Stay here with the biscuits and you’ll beg for more.”
Chorus
Mean Joe Turner beatin on his trumpet
Playin with an orchestra from outer space.
The dogs in the alley are playin concertinas
And a devilback banjo in a coffin case.
Chorus
