N. R. A. Blues

Words and music by William Jennings Cox, 1933.

I work down in the old sweatshop.
Sweet thing, sweet thing.
I work down in the old sweatshop,
I work like a mule and never stop.
Sweet thing, yes baby mine.

When they gonna join the NRA?
Sweet thing, sweet thing.
When they gonna join the NRA,
I naver have heard the big boss say.
Sweet thing, yes baby mine.

I’ve got the blues;
I’ve got them NRA blues!
Lawd, I got them NRA blues!

When payday comes and I get my check,
Sweet thing, sweet thing.
Payday comes and I get my check,
All I get’s just a little wee speck.
Sweet thing, yes baby mine.

When you’re workin’ for the NRA,
Sweet thing, sweet thing.
When you’re workin’ for the NRA,
You’ll get short hours and get same pay.
Sweet thing, yes baby mine.

I’ve got the blues;
I’ve got them NRA blues!
Lawd, I got them NRA blues!

The rich men’s all on easy street,
Sweet thing, sweet thing.
Rich men’s all on easy street,
And the poor men can’t get enough to eat.
Sweet thing, yes baby mine.

When they all join the NRA,
Sweet thing, sweet thing.
When they all join the NRA,
We’ll all feel happy and all feel gay.
Sweet thing, yes baby mine.

I’ve got the blues;
I’ve got them NRA blues!
Lawd, I’ve got them NRA blues!

Collected from Perfect 13090, as sung by Bill Cox, recorded August 30, 1933.