I'm broke and hungry, ragged and dirty too
I said I’m broke and hungry, ragged and dirty too
Mama, if I clean up, can I go home with you?

I'm motherless, fatherless, sister and brotherless too
I said I’m motherless, fatherless, sister and brotherless too
Reason I've tried so hard to make this trip with you

You miss me woman, count the days I'm gone
You miss me woman, count the days I'm gone
I'm goin' away to build me a railroad of my own

I feel like jumpin' through a keyhole in your door
I said I feel like jumpin' through the keyhole in your door
If you jump this time, baby, you won't jump no more

I believe my good gal have found my black cat bone
I said I believe my baby have found my black cat bone
I can leave Sunday mornin', Monday mornin' I'm slippin' 'round home

I wanna show you women what careless love have done
I wanna show you women what careless love have done
Caused a man like me, steal away from home

Girl if you don't want me, why don't you let me know?
I said, if you don't want me, mama let me know
So I can leave at once and hunt me somewhere else to go