High Sheriff Blues
by 
Charley Patton 
recording of 1929-1934 
from 
Charley Patton: Founder Of The Delta Blues (Yazoo L-1020) 
Get in trouble at 
Belzoni 
, there ain't no use a-screamin' and cryin' 
Get in trouble in Belzoni, there ain't no use a-screamin' and cryin' 
Mr. Will will take you, back to Belzoni jailhouse flyin' 
Le' me tell you folksies, how he treated me 
Le' me tell you folksies, how he treated me 
An' he put me in a cellar, just as dark as it could be 
There I laid one evenin', Mr. Purvis was standin' 'round 
There I laid one evenin', Mr. Purvis was standin' 'round 
Mr. Purvis told Mr. Will to, let poor Charley down 
It takes booze and blues, Lord, to carry me through 
Takes booze and blues, Lord, to carry me through 
But it did seem like years, in a jailhouse where there is no boo' 
I got up one mornin', feelin' awe, hmm 
I got up one mornin', feelin' mighty bad, hmm 
An' it might not a-been them Belzoni jail I had 
(spoken: Blues I had, boys) 
While I was in trouble, ain't no use a-screamin' 
When I was in prison, it ain't no use a-screamin and cryin' 
Mr. Purvis the onliest man could, ease that pain of mine