Margaret Walker - Kissie Lee lyrics

Toughest gal I ever did see Was a gal by the name of Kissie Lee; The toughest gal God ever made And she drew a dirty, wicked blade. Now this here gal warn't always tough Nobody dreamed she'd turn out rough But her Grammaw Mamie had the name Of being the town's sin and shame. When Kissie Lee was young and good Didn't nobody treat her like they should Allus gettin' beat by a no-good shine An' allus quick to cry and whine. Till her Grammaw said, "Now listen to me, I'm tiahed of yoah whinin', Kissie Lee. People don't ever treat you right, An' you allus scrappin' or in a fight." "Whin I was a gal wasn't no soul Could do me wrong an' still stay whole. Ah got me a razor to talk for me An' aftah that they let me be." Well Kissie Lee took her advice And after that she didn't speak twice 'Cause when she learned to stab and run She got herself a little gun. And from that time that gal was mean, Meanest mama you ever seen. She could hold her likker and hold her man And she went thoo life jus' raisin' san'. One night she walked in Jim's salloon And seen a guy what spoke too soon; He done her dirt long time ago When she was good and feeling low. Kissie bought her drink and she paid her dime Watchin' this guy what beat her time And he was making for the outside door When Kissie shot him to the floor. Not a word she spoke but she switched her blade And flashing that lil ole baby paid: Evvy livin' guy got out of her way Because Kissie Lee was drawin' her pay. She could shoot gla** offa the hinges, She could take herself on the wildest binges. And she died with her boots on switching blades On Talladega Mountain in the likker raids.