What More Can a Man Do?
Peetie Wheatstraw Lyrics


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What More Can A Man Do Trk 5 Disc 2 3:02
Peetie Wheatstraw (William Bunch)
(Bunch)
Peetie Wheatstraw - vocal, w/Lonnie Johnson - gtr, unk acc.
April 1, 1938 Chicago, Decca 7479
Album: Peetie Wheatstraw Essentials Album
Allego Classic Blues CBL 200037

Listen hear baby, ain't gon' be yo' dog all my life
Because yo' other man tried to take my life

So what more can a man do?
I'd give up my job, lay down my money to you

Listen here baby you ain't treat me right
You don't do nothin' but clown 'n fight
You know I love you don't care what you do
I'm gettin' tired of clownin' with you

What more can a man do?
Give up my job, lay down my money to you

You go out tonight no tellin' what I'll do
I'm gettin' tired of worryin' over you
What more can a man do?
I'll give up my job, lay down my money to you

'Now play at that girl'

(guitar & instrumental)

Now you know mama
I'm gettin' tired, gettin tired, gettin' tired
You're in St. Louis all disguised
Cried last night an night befo'
I leave you this time I won't have to cry no mo'

What more can a man do?
I'll give up my job, lay down my money to you

So bye-bye baby, I'm leavin' you now
I know you don't mean no good, no how
You did ev'rything a woman could do
You know about that, than I am through with you

What more can a man do?
I'll give up my job, lay down my money to you.





~

Overall Meaning

Peetie Wheatstraw's song "What More Can a Man Do?" is a melancholic ode to the struggles of love and what one has to do to keep a relationship going. The song begins with a man lamenting about how he cannot continue to be his lover's dog all his life, possibly because her other man allegedly attempted to take his life. The man is at his wits' end, and he is prepared to quit his job and even lay down his money for her. In essence, he is prepared to do all he can to keep the relationship afloat.


In the second stanza, the man pleads with his lover to treat him better because he loves her no matter what. However, the woman is all about fighting and clowning around, which has worn out the man's patience. He is tired of worrying about her, and he might snap if she goes out tonight. The man then resigns himself to the idea that he will give up his job and all his money to keep the relationship going because he does not know what more he can do to keep her.


The song is an excellent reminder of the struggle one goes through in love and how people often use everything they have to keep the relationship going even when the other party is not reciprocating those efforts. Sometimes, one does not know what more they can do, but they keep going, holding onto the hope that things will eventually work out.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen hear baby, ain't gon' be yo' dog all my life
Hey baby, I can't be your devoted lover forever


Because yo' other man tried to take my life
Since your other man tried to kill me


So what more can a man do?
What else can a man possibly do?


I'd give up my job, lay down my money to you
I am ready to sacrifice my job and my money just for you


Listen here baby you ain't treat me right
Hey baby, you haven't been treating me well


You don't do nothin' but clown 'n fight
All you do is act foolishly and argue with me


You know I love you don't care what you do
You know that I love you no matter what you do


I'm gettin' tired of clownin' with you
I'm tired of playing around with you


You go out tonight no tellin' what I'll do
If you go out tonight, who knows what I might do


I'm gettin' tired of worryin' over you
I'm getting tired of worrying about you


I'll give up my job, lay down my money to you
I'm even willing to give up my job and lay down my money for you


'Now play at that girl'
Instrumental Break


Now you know mama
Now listen here


I'm gettin' tired, gettin tired, gettin' tired
I'm getting really exhausted


You're in St. Louis all disguised
You are in St. Louis, pretending to be someone else


Cried last night an night befo'
I cried last night and the night before


I leave you this time I won't have to cry no mo'
If I leave you this time, I won't have to cry anymore


So bye-bye baby, I'm leavin' you now
So goodbye baby, I am leaving you now


I know you don't mean no good, no how
I know you don't have good intentions


You did ev'rything a woman could do
You did everything a woman could do


You know about that, than I am through with you
You know what I mean, I am done with you




Contributed by Isaac P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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