Black Mountain Blues
Bessie Smith Lyrics

Out in Black Mountain a child will smack your face
The people of Black Mountain are rough and violent, to the point where even children act out aggressively.

The babies cry for liquor, and all the birds sing bass
The people of Black Mountain have a serious problem with alcoholism, to the point where even infants cry for it. This problem permeates the entire community, to the point where even the birds sing low in response.

Well, those people in Black Mountain are mean as they can be
The residents of Black Mountain are incredibly cruel and violent, with no hesitation to use dangerous methods such as incorporating gunpowder into their tea.

Now they uses gun powder just to sweeten up their tea
The people of Black Mountain have such a disregard for their own safety that they are willing to use gunpowder as a sweetener in their tea.

Well, out in Black Mountain you can't keep a good man in jail
The justice system in Black Mountain is corrupt, with both the judges and juries being bribed, making it impossible to imprison those who are actually good.

'Cause if the jury convicts him, the judge will pay his bail
Even if a jury actually convicts someone of a crime in Black Mountain, the corrupt judge will simply pay the criminal's bail and let them go free.

I had a man in Black Mountain, the sweetest man in town
The singer had a partner in Black Mountain who was kind and gentle, but ultimately left her for someone from the city.

But then he met a city gal, that's when he throwed me down
The artist's partner left her for a woman from the city, showing the allure that urban life has on those in Black Mountain.

Lord, I'm bound for Black Mountain, me and my razor and my gun
The artist is headed back to Black Mountain, armed and ready to confront her former partner and take revenge.

I'm going back to Black Mountain, me and my razor and my gun
The artist is returning to Black Mountain, unafraid and carrying weapons to protect herself and confront those who have wronged her.

I'm gonna cut him if he stands still, I'll just shoot him if he runs
The singer is fully prepared to use both a knife and a gun against her former partner, with the intention of severely injuring or killing him if he tries to escape.

Lord, now you've heard my story, now you've heard my news
The artist wants it to be known that she is taking matters into her own hands and seeking revenge in Black Mountain.

Now my man can clear off, I've got the Blackest Mountain blues
The singer is done with her former partner, and is now experiencing the deep sadness and pain of having to confront the harsh realities of Black Mountain on her own.