I Would If I Could but I Can't - Helen Humes, Leonard Feather's Hiptet

Now I would if I could but honey I can’t no more

Yes I would if I could but honey I can’t no more

I can’t get no cooperation, the way I did before

Why I would if I could but you’ve got me in your power

Yes I would if I could but you’ve got me in your power

Yes I’d do it in a minute, but I’d rather take a solid hour

Now you’re gettin' slow an' easy

You’re as patient as can be

You don’t ask for too much lovin' and

That’s just what’s botherin' me

Tell me papa papa, just what are we waitin' for

Yes I would if I could but I don’t get a chance no more

Now I listened to your lies

They don’t mean a thing to me

They might satisfy a square

But I’m too hip you see

So it’s back to the apple, and find me a better man

Well I would if I could, but damn if I think I can