Well I used to wake the morning before the rooster crowed
Searchin for soda bottles to get myself some dough
Brought them down to the corner, down to the country store
Cash em in and give my money to a man named Curtis Loew

Old Curt was a black man with white curly hair
When he had a fifth of wine he did not have a care
He used to own an old Dobro, used to play it across his knee
I'd give old Curt my money he'd play all day for me

Chorus: Play me a song Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
Well I got your drinkin money tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless, but them people all were fools
Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues

He looked to be 60 and maybe I was 10
Momma used to whoop me, but I'd go see him again
I'd clap my hands, stomp my feets, try to stay in time
He'd play a song or two then take another drink of wine

Chorus:
Lead: (verse and chorus background)

On the day old Curtis died, nobody came to pray
Old preacher said some words, and they chucked him in the clay
Well he lived a lifetime of playing the black man's blues
And on the day he lost his life, well that's all he had to lose

Chorus