Shave 'Em Dry

Transcribed by Blahnok

Released with Paramount, 12222-A, as a guitar & vocals duet of Lasky and Ma Rainey. It was recorded in August 1924 in Chicago, Illinois. There's a joyousness in Lasky's playing that is difficult to put into words. His natural usage of chromaticism and voice-leading is on full display.

[Verse 1]
There's one thing I don't understand
Why a good-lookin' woman likes a workin' man
Hey, hey, hey, daddy, let me shave 'em dry

[Verse 2]
Going away to wear you off my mind
You keep me hungry and broke, daddy, all the time
Hey, hey, hey, daddy, let me shave 'em dry

[Verse 3]
Don't see how them hungry women can sleep
They shimmies all day without a bite to eat
Hey, hey, hey, daddy, let me shave 'em dry

[Verse 4]
Going downtown to spread the news
State Street women wearin' brogan shoes
Hey, hey, hey, daddy, let me shave 'em dry

[Verse 5]
If it wasn't for their powder and their store-bought hair
State Street gals couldn't go nowhere
Hey, hey, hey, daddy, let me shave 'em dry

[Verse 6]
There's one thing I can't understand
Some women [?] State Street like a man
Hey, hey, hey, daddy, let me shave 'em dry