traditional
This funny song came to life in the jug band period during the twenties. First known recording was with Memphis Jug Band on 15th of September 1928 in Memphis, Tennessee, as "Stealin', Stealin'". For some reasons, several artists recorded it in the sixties, with various lines and verses. It has now and then erroneously been credited Gus Cannon, but he never even recorded it as far as I know, but used a couple of similar lines in other songs. The lines HERE are taken from Arlo Guthrie's version on his 1969 album "Running Down the Road". This version was featured in the film "Two-Lane Blacktop".
put your arms around me like a circle 'round the sun
you know I'll love you baby when my easy ridin's done
you don't believe I love you
look at the fool I've been
you don't believe I'm sinkin'
look at the hole I'm in
stealin' stealin'
pretty mama don't you tell on me
I'm stealin' back to my same old used to be
well I got me a woman 'bout my size and height
she's a married woman so you know she treats me right
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
G G7 put your arms around me like a circle 'round the sun C Am7 you know I'll love you baby when my easy ridin's done G D G you don't believe I love you G D G look at the fool I've been G D G you don't believe I'm sinkin' G D G look at the hole I'm in G G7 stealin' stealin' C A7 ...A#dim pretty mama don't you tell on me Bm E7 Cmaj7 D G I'm stealin' back to my same old used to be
