Waitin’ for the Evenin’ Mail

Waitin’ for the Evenin’ Mail

Words and music by Billy Baskette, 1923.


I’ve been by the jail this morn’,
I heard a hard-luck brother moan,
“I’m in here right where I don’t belong.
I never done no wrong.”

As I passed by his window,
I could hear him moanin’ this song;
“Sittin’ on the inside,
Lookin’ at the outside,
Waitin’ for the evenin’ mail.

Lawdy what a feelin’,
Four walls and a ceilin’, just [?].
I mean that low-down jail
Separatin’ me from ev’rything
But the evenin’ mail.

I’m like a ship without a sail.

Wrote my one-time mama
Down in Jacksonville.
Says, ‘Sweet mama I’m in jail.
Now, honey please don’t fail me,
Hurry now and mail me bail.’

It’s been a year ago
I’m still on the inside,
Lookin’ at the outside,
Waitin’ for the evenin’ mail.

Settin’ on the inside,
Lookin’ at the outside,
Waitin’ for the evenin’ mail.

Lawdy what a feelin’,
Four walls and a ceilin’, just [?].
I mean that low-down jail
Separatin’ me from ev’rything
But the evenin’ mai’-hay-law’-haw.

I’m like a ship without a sail.

Wrote my one-time mama
Down in Jacksonville.
Says, ‘Sweet mama I’m in jail.
Now, honey please don’t fail me,
Hurry now and mail me bail.’

It’s just a year ago.
I’m still on the inside,
Lookin’ at the outside,
Waitin’ for the evenin’ mail.

Wrote my one-time mama
Down in Jacksonville.
Says, ‘Sweet mama I’m in jail.
Honey now don’t fail me,
Hurry now and mail me bail.’

It’s been a year ago.
Still on the inside,
Lookin’ at the outside,
Waitin’ for the evenin’ mail.”


Collected from Bluebird B-5432, as sung by Riley Puckett, recorded March 29, 1934.