Catfish Blues

(Skip James "Complete Bloomington Concert" variation)

[see also "Rollin' Stone", "Still A Fool" & "Two Trains Runnin'"]

Words & Music by:

Nehemiah Curtis "Skip" James

Lord, I would rather be a little catfish,

So, I could swim way down in the sea.

A7/E E7

I would have somebody, somebody settin' out a line for me.

Settin' out a line for me, a line for...

You know, I went to my baby's house,

And she told me to set down on the step.

She said "Come right on in, now,

Because my husband just now left,

Just now left, just now..."

That's the reason I wanna be a little catfish,

So, I could swim way down in the sea,

I would have somebody, somebody, setting out hooks for me,

Setting out hooks for, hook...

You know I asked my little baby,

Could I sit down beside her iron bed?

I shall turn on your heater, your heater,

'Til it turns cherry red, cherry, cherry...

You know I went to the church house

And they called on me to pray,

I got on my knees, on my knees,

But I couldn't find a word to say,

Not a word to say, word...

That's the reason I wanna be a little catfish,

So, I could swim way down in the sea,

I would have many-some of these women

Setting out a line for me,

A line for me, a line for...

You know I would not be a tadpole,

And I don't want to be no bullfrog.

And if I can't be a catfish,

I won't swim at all, I won't swim...

You know, you gotta fish deep for a catfish.

And you gotta hold your line real tight.

And don't you shed the water, the water,

'Til you gets a bite, 'til you gets a bite, get a...

That's the reason I wanna be a little catfish,

So, I could swim way down in the sea.

I would have many of these women, these women,

Setting out a line for me,

Setting out a line for me, line for...