Have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have mercy, please, have mercy on me

I went to see a gypsy
And I had my fortune read
She said, boy, your baby's 'bout to leave you
Her bag is packed up under her bed

So, have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have mercy, please, have mercy on me

If you stay here, baby
I'll tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna work three jobs seven days a week
And bring my money home to you

So, have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have a little mercy, please, baby, have mercy on me

Hey, hey, baby
Hey, now, child
Girl, what you tryin' to do
Hey, now, baby
Hey, now, child
Girl, I'm in love with you

So, have mercy, have mercy, baby
Have mercy, please, have mercy on me

Now if my baby leaves
If my baby puts me down
I'm gonna head on down to the nearest river
And jump overboard and drown

Hey, hey, baby
Hey, now, child
Girl, what you tryin' to do
Hey, now, baby
Hey, now, child
Girl, I'm in love with you

Have mercy, please, have mercy baby
Have a little mercy, oh, please, baby, have mercy on me
Have mercy on me, baby