The Temptation Blues

A popular song from 1919
Words and music by J. Berni Barbour


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Every morn just at dawn
    I’m forlorn, somethings wrong
    I can’t tell, I wonder why
    Try so heard to do right
    With all main and might
    Yet it seems I’m slippin’
    Slippin’ onward and on
    Into those cruel Temptation Blues

Chorus:
I’ve got those cruel, sinful
Temptation Blues
I’ll fight a duel
Almost anything I’m apt to do
I feel mean, Gee, I could scream
I never dreamed that I could change
First seemed strange, easy now
Since you drove me to those
Low down lonesome Temptation Blues
Don’t worry when folks tell you
‘Bout the things I do
Just stop and wonder why
No need to plead and sigh
Repent for all the tears I’ve shed
Then say you last goodbye
I’m raving with those cruel
Temptation Blues

  1. I’m distressed, so depressed
    I confess, I’ve done less
    Than return the love you gave me
    I robbed your heart and soul
    For your paltry gold
    I was tempted, you consented
    What else was there to do?
    When came those Temptation Blues?

Sung by Laurence Rubenstein: