(Sittin’ on the inside, lookin’ at the outside)
A popular song from 1923.
Words and music by Billy Baskette.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Passing by the jail this morn
Heard a hard-luck brother moan
“I’m in here, right where I don’t belong
Never done no wrong”
As I passed by his window
I could hear him moaning his song
Chorus:
Sittin’ on the inside
Lookin’ at the outside
Waitin’ for the evenin’ mail
Four walls and a ceilin’
Lawdy what a feelin’
Just a mean old low-down jail
Separatin’ me from everything
But the evenin’ mail
I’m like a ship without a sail
Wrote my one-time mamma
Down in Jacksonville
Said, “Sweet mamma, I’m in jail
Honey, please don’t fail me
Hurry up and mail me, bail”
That’s just a year ago
And I’m still on the inside
Lookin’ at the outside
Waitin’ for the evenin’ mail
2. Just as I passed by his way
I could hear this brother say
“Looks like I am in this jug to stay
‘Till a later day
My trial is called for Tuesday
Oh the twenty seventh of May”