T.B. Blues
Jimmie Rodgers Lyrics


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My good gal's trying to make a fool out of me
Lord my gal's trying to make a fool out of me
Trying to make me believe I
Ain't got that old TB i've got the TB blues

When it rained down sorrow it
Rained all over me
When it rained down sorrow it
Rained all over me
Cause my body rattles like a
Train on that old SP i've got the TB blues

I've got that old TB I can't eat a bite
Got that old TB I can't eat a bite
Got me worried so I can't even sleep at night
I've got the TB blues

I've been fightin' like a lion looks
Like I'm going to lose
I've been fightin' like a lion looks
Like I'm going to lose
Cause there ain't nobody ever
Whipped the TB blues i've got the TB blues

Gee but that graveyard is a lonesome place
Lord but that graveyard is a lonesome place
They put you on your back throw



That mud down in your face
I've got the TB blues

Overall Meaning

The Jimmie Rodgers song "T.B. Blues" is a poignant expression of the feelings of someone suffering from tuberculosis. TB was a major public-health issue in the early 20th century and was a frequent subject for country and blues songs. The lyrics describe the singer's sense of isolation and fear as they struggle with the disease. The singer's gal is trying to convince him that he doesn't have TB, but he knows he does, and it's causing him to feel despair. He complains he can't eat and can't sleep, and that his body is rattling like a train.


The chorus is repeated throughout the song, "I've got the T.B. blues." The focus on the body is a recurring theme. The singer paints a gloomy picture of the end of life in the final line of the song when they speak of the lonesome place of the graveyard where one is laid on their back and dirt is thrown on their face. The song overall deals with the physical and mental suffering that comes with deadly diseases and the sense of isolation and hopelessness that it brings.


Line by Line Meaning

My good gal's trying
My girlfriend is attempting


To make a fool out of me
To deceive me and take advantage of me


Trying to make me believe
Attempting to convince me of something that is not true


I ain't got that old T.B.
I am not afflicted with the old T.B.


I've got the T.B. blues
I am feeling down and depressed due to being afflicted with T.B.


When it rained down sorrow
During a time of extreme hardship


It rained all over me
The hardship affected me greatly


'Cause my body rattles
My body shakes violently


Like a train on that old S.P.
Similar to a train on the Southern Pacific railway


I've got that old T.B.
I have been diagnosed with the old T.B.


I can't eat a bite
I have no appetite


Got me worried soul
I am deeply concerned


I can't even sleep at night
I am unable to sleep through the night


I've been fightin' like a lion
I have been fighting with great effort


Looks like I'm going to lose
I appear to be losing the fight against T.B.


'Cause there ain't nobody
Because there is no one


Ever whipped the T.B. blues
Who has ever defeated the feeling of hopelessness caused by T.B.


Gee but the graveyard
The graveyard is very lonely


Is a lonesome place
It is a desolate location


They put you on your back
After death, one is placed on their back


Throw that mud down in your face
The dry dirt is thrown into the grave, hitting your face


I've got the T.B. blues
Once again expressing deep sadness and despair due to being afflicted with T.B.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

W. Rusty Lane

One of my favorite Jimmie Rodgers' songs. I'm surprised he cut this song knowing that he was surely gonna die of the TB. Fighting like a lion, he knew he was gonna lose. RIP my brother.

TJ Hilkert

3 chords and the truth

RebelCast45

@Tony Harden Its possible, was a long time ago, according to my dad he died in a sanitarium. But who really knows?,.

Tony Harden

@RebelCast45 Thank you! I know Jimmie Rodgers died in NYC when he went up there to do some recording sessions. Didn't somebody find him dead in his hotel room?

RebelCast45

@Tony Harden My dad and grandfather were huge fans of his and my grandfather was actually around when he died, I imagine he read about it in the circulars at the time,. He knew the whole history of Jimmie rogers and followed his career closely,.

Tony Harden

@RebelCast45 Jimmie Rodgers recorded TB Blues from a bed in a sanitarium?? I didn't know that. Very interesting! Thanks for sharing. Do you mind if I ask where you heard this? I'm not disputing you, but I am curious to know where you heard that.

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39thala

Runs chills through me hearing him sing about the disease that would eventually kill him

Ghost_of_ Nomad

@Tony Harden shi my bad 💀

Tony Harden

@Ghost_of_ Nomad You're thinking of the wrong Jimmie Rodgers. This Jimmie Rodgers died of TB at age 36.

Tony Harden

@Ghost_of_ Nomad Where did you hear that? I didn't know that. It's my impression, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that he was found dead in his hotel room in NYC when he didn't show up for one of the recording sessions. Do you know if this is correct?

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