up on cripple creek


When i get off of this mountain

You know where i want to go

Straight down the mississippi river

To the gulf of mexico



To lake charles, louisiana

Little bessie, a girl that i once knew

And she told me just to come on by

If there's anything she could do



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Up on cripple creek she sends me

If i spring a leak she mends me

I don't have to speak she defends me

A drunkard's dream if i ever did see one



Good luck had just stung me

To the race track i did go

She bet on one horse to win

And i bet on another to show



Odds were in my favor

I had him five to one

When that nag to win came around the track

Sure enough he had won



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I took up all of my winnings

And i gave my little bessie half

And she tore it up and blew it in my face

Just for a laugh



Now there's one thing in the whole wide world

I sure would like to see

That's when that little love of mine

Dips her doughnut in my tea



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Now me and my mate were back at the shack

We had spike jones on the box

She said, "i can't take the way he sings

But i love to hear him talk"



Now that just gave my heart a fall

To the bottom of my feet

And i swore as i took another pull

My bessie can't be beat



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Now, it's hot in california

And up north it's freezing cold

And this living off the road

Is getting pretty old



So i guess i'll call up my big mama

Tell her i'll be rolling in

Bet you know, deep down, i'm kinda tempted

To go and see my bessie again



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