Lyrics Mean Step Father Blues - Big Joe Williams

I had a mean step-father, boys, I know you had one, too
I had a mean step-father, boys, I know you had one, too
Ever since my Mother,
She have gone and left me, nothin' in the world that he would do

Now, 'fore I be a dog, I will leave my happy home
Yes, before I be a dog, baby, I will leave my happy home
I had a mean step-father, ooh-well,
And I swear he did poor Joseph wrong

Now, when I was a little boy, just about sixteen inches high
Yes, when I was a little boy, just about sixteen inches high
I had a mean step-father, didn't even want me to eat a bite

Poor Joe leaves this mornin', face is full of frowns
Say it, what he said!
Poor Joe leaves this mornin', hoo, face is full of frowns
I had a mean step-father, hoo-well, and he don't want me, even around