The Ballad of Curtis Loew

The Ballad of Curtis Loew
Well I used to wake the mornin', 'fore the rooster crowed
Searchin' for soda bottles to get myself some dough
Take 'em down to the corner, down to that country store
Cash 'em in and give my money to a man named Curtis Loew
Old curt was a black man with white curly hair
When he had a little of wine, no he did not have a care
He used to own and old Dobro, he'd play it 'cross his knee
I'd give old Curt my money, he'd play all day for me

Play me a song Curtis Loew Curtis Loew
I got your drinkin' money, tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless, them people all were fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues
Well he looked to be 60, maybe I was 10
Yeah my mama used to whoop me but I'd go see him again
Clap my hands, stomp my feet, and I'd try to keep in time
He'd play me a song or two and then take another drink of the muscadine wine
Play me a song Curtis Loew Curtis Loew
I got your drinkin' money, tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless, but them people all were fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues
On the day old Curtis died nobody came to pray
Old preacher just said some words, and they chucked him in that clay
Well he lived a lifetime of playin' that black man's blues
And on the day he lost his life, well that's all he had to lose

Play me a song Curtis Loew Curtis Loew
Well I got your drinkin' money, tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless, but them people all were fools
'Cause Curtis Loew you're the finest picker to ever play the blues