From the 1938 show “Happy Returns”
Words and music by Sam Mayo
This is the last song Mayo wrote. Popular with jazz bands during the 1930s.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Ross Boyle:
Lyrics
A pal who was once your pal
Who ceases to be your pal
Was never your pal at all
And a gal who was once your gal
Who ceases to be your gal
That will cause your downfall
Here is a little suggestion
Will anyone answer this question?
Chorus
When you’re tired, lonesome
Walking around the town
Wnd the rain comes uninvited in your shoes
What are you goin’ to say?
What are you goin’ to do?
Sing the down and out Blues
All you possess in this great big workd
Is an appetite that you’re trying your best to lose
What are you goin’ to say?
What are you goin’ to do?
Sing the down and out Blues
When your dreams and schemes have gone astray
And your pals and gals have left you on your own
Laugh and the world laughs with you
Weep and you weep alone
What can you do?
Where can you go to?
Beggars cannot choose
Tired, lonesome, walking around the town
Singing the down and out Blues
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: