Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional
Played by Jerry and Sarah Garcia in May 1963.
Thanks to Matt Schofield for the lyrics.
Keno, the rent man
Mean as he can be
Tossed my bed out in the street
Then he threw (out?) me
Keno, mean as he can be
Threw my trunk out in the yard
Kicked off the (end of my nose?)
Hit me in the head with a washboard
Tore out the back of my clothes
Keno, mean as he can be
Went to run and he tripped me
Stepped on the back of my head
Jammed me down in a mudhole
'Til he thought that I was dead
Keno, mean as he can be
Makes no difference to (?) man
Whether it's (?) (snow?)
If you don't pay that rent man
He'll throw you out the door
Keno, mean as he can be
Now if you are a renter
Take heed to what I say
If you don't pay that rent man
Better make your getaway
Keno, mean as he can be