BEALE STREET
Words & Music by W. C. HANDY
Original Copyright MCMXVII by Pace & Handy Music Co., Memphis, Tenn.

Verse 1.
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 You'll see
pretty Browns in beautiful gowns,
You'll see tailor mades and hand me downs
You'll meet honest men and pickpocets skilled
You'll find that bus'ness never closes
till somebody gets killed.

Chorus 1
I'd rather be here, than any place I know.
I'd rather be here, than any place I know.
It's goin' to take the Sergeant For to make me go,

Verse 2.
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 Hognose restrants and Chitlin' Cafes
You'll see Jugs that tell of bygone days And places,
once places, now just a sham,
You'll see Golden Halls anough to pave the New Jeruselam.

Chorus 2
Goin' to the river, maybe bye and bye,
Goin' to the river, and there's a reason why,
Because the river's wet,
And Beale Street's done gone dry.

Verse 3. (Tag to end of Verse 2)
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 drank booze
And the blind man on the corner who sings
the Beale Street Blues.

Repeat Chorus 1