Ernest Tubb - Mean Old Bed Bug Blues (1936)

Ernest Tubb plays "Mean Old Bed Bug Blues" on Bluebird B-8899.

Recorded on October 27, 1936.

This is from Tubb's first record session!

Recorded in San Antonio,Texas.

Tubb had only two recording dates for Victor (or RCA--this company issued Bluebird discs).

Tubb had greater success with Decca (listen for Jimmie Short playing lead guitar) four years later.

The Victor (or RCA) discs made by Tubbs in her early years of reocrding did not sell well.

The second sesson was in March, 1937, and guitarist Mervyn Bufflington joined Tubb at this second session.

The influence of Jimmie Rodgers is obvious here.


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This version that we are hearing is NOT the song done by Bessie Smith.

Here are the lyrics of the Bessie Smith version:

Yes, bedbugs sure is evil; they don't mean me no good.
Yeah, a bedbug sure is evil; they don't mean me no good.
Think he's a woodpecker, and I'm a chunk of wood.

When I lay down at night, I wonder how can a poor gal sleep,
When I lay down at night, I wonder how can a poor gal sleep,
When some is holdin' my hand, others is eatin' my feet.

Bedbugs as big as a jackass, will bite you and stand and grin,
Bedbugs as big as a jackass, will bite you and stand and grin,
They'll bring all the bedbugs for to turn around and bite you again,

Something moaned in a corner, I tried my best to see,
Something moaned in a corner, and I went over and see,
It was a bedbug mother prayin', "Lord, give me some more to eat."

Got myself a wishbone, bedbugs done got my goat,
Got myself a wishbone, wish they'd cut their own doggone throats.

Smith recorded it on September 27, 1927.