Beale Street Blues

I've seen the lights of gay Broadway Old Market Street down by the Frisco Bay I've strolled the Prado, I've gambled on the Bourse The seven wonders of the world I've seen And many are the places I have been Take my advice, folks and see Beale Street first You'll see pretty browns in beautiful gowns You'll see tailor-mades and hand-me-downs You'll meet honest men, and pick-pockets skilled You'll find that business never ceases 'til somebody gets killed If Beale Street could talk, if Beale Street could talk Married men would have to take their beds and walk Except one or two who never drink booze And the blind man on the corner singing, "Beale Street blues" I'd rather be there than any place I know, I'd rather be there than any place I know, It's gonna take a sergeant for to make me go I'm goin' to the river, maybe by and by Yes, I'm goin' to the river, maybe by and by Because the river's wet, and Beale Street's done gone dry