Lyrics: My good gal's trying to make a fool out of me Lord my gal's trying to make a fool out of me Trying to make me believe I ain't got that old TB I've got the TB blues When it rained down sorrow it rained all over me When it rained down sorrow it rained all over me Cause my body rattles like a train on that old SP I've got the TB blues I've got that old TB I can't eat a bite Got that old TB I can't eat a bite Got me worried soul I can't even sleep at night I've got the TB blues I've been fightin' like a lion looks like I'm going to lose I've been fightin' like a lion looks like I'm going to lose Cause there ain't nobody ever with the TB blues I've got the TB blues Gee but that graveyard is a lonesome place Lord but that graveyard is a lonesome place They put you on your back throw that mud down in your face I've got the TB blues
In his final months, Jimmie Rogers would lay on a cot and rest for a while. He would record for a time, lay down and rest. That's commitment! My granddad was born in 1892 and could whistle very loud. I've heard him whistle and sing this song hundreds of times. He died in 1975.
My mama used to say she and her friends who were in the Greenwell Springs Sanatorium would call out to each I've just got that old TB blues. I found out much later in life, they were quoting Jimmie Rogers. This was back in 1949--1951. Many didn't survive those TB blues. Merle puts his heart into those great songs.
