Mamie Neale, down in Beale
Gave her papa the air
Left him cold, got him told
Like she didn't care
Poor Joe, her beau
Looked just like he would die
If you would see her, you would hear her, sob this mournful cry
Beale Street Papa, why don't you come back home?
It isn't proper to leave your mama all alone
Sometimes I was cruel, that's true
But your sweet mama never did two-time you
Ah, ooh, I'm blue
So how come you do me like you do?
I'm cryin'
Beale Street Papa, I mean, don't you mess around with me
There's plenty petting I can get in Tennessee
I get my lovin' constantly, but not the kind you served to me
So please, sweet papa, come back home
Beale Street Papa, I mean, don't you mess around with me
There's plenty petting I can get in Tennessee
I bought a razor, rifle, rope and knife
But if the police comes for you, baby, gonna save my life
So Beale Street Papa, come back home