Billie's Blues - Carmen McRae

I love my man

I’m a liar if I say I don’t

I love my man

I’m a liar if I say I don’t

But I’ll quit my man

I’m a liar if I say I won’t

I’ve been your slave, baby

Ever since I’ve been your babe

I’ve been your slave

Ever since I’ve been your babe

But before I’ll be your dog

I’ll see you in your grave

My man wouldn’t give me no breakfast

Wouldn’t give me no dinner

Squawked about me supper then he put me outdoors

Had the nerve to lay a matchbox on my clothes

I didn’t have so many

But I had a long, long way to go

I ain’t good-looking

And my hair ain’t curled

I ain’t good-looking

And my hair ain’t curled

But my mother, she gave me something

That’s gonna tear me through this world

Some men like me 'cause I’m happy

Some 'cause I’m snappy

Some call me honey

Others think I got money

Some tell me «Billie

Baby you’re built for speed.»

Now if you put that all together

It makes me everything a good man needs