Lonnie Johnson - Mean Old Bedbug Blues (1927)

Man, a bedbug sure is evil, he don't mean me no good.
Man, a bedbug sure is evil, he don't mean me no good.
He thinks I’m a woodpecker, and he takes me for a chunk of wood.

When I lay down at night, I wonder how can a po’ man sleep.
When I lay down at night, I wonder how can a po’ man sleep.
When some holdin' your hands, while the other ones eat your feet.

Bedbugs big as a jackass, will bite you and stand and grin.
Bedbugs big as a jackass, will bite you and stand and grin.
And drink up all the bedbug poison, then come back and bite you again.

Something was moanin’ in a corner, I tried my best to see.
Something was moaning in a corner, then I walked over to see.
It was the mother bedbug prayin' to the good Lord, for some mo’ to eat."

I have to set up all night long, my feet can’t touch the floor.
I have to set up all night long, my feet can’t touch the floor.
‘Cause the mean old bedbug told me, that I can’t sleep there no more.