Tell Me How Long

Lyrics: Don Robey/Roger Troy
Music: Don Robey/Roger Troy

Sung by Roger "Jellyroll" Troy with Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders on 2 July 1974. It has vague similarities to some of Frank Stokes' version of How Long Blues and contains a verse from the Bobby Bland song "I Don't Want No Woman". But it's essentially improvised. The title was chosen arbitrarily. Any help with the lyrics gratefully received. Thanks to Joe Jupille and Jesse Jarnow for alerting me to this song.

Tell me how long, baby, since you've been gone
Tell me how long, please, since you've been gone
I ain't had [no] loving since my baby she's been gone

I love my baby, you know that I do
I love my baby, you know I do
You keep me loving you and I got no [?] what to do

You drink your whiskey, I drink my wine (note 1)
You tend to your business, baby, and I'll tend to mine
I don't want no woman, telling me how to live my life
You don't teach me nothing, baby, and I don't want no wife

Well I know you come around in your [kit]
Baby I tell you I can't live
[On me] alone, love me like I know
I ain't had no loving since my baby been gone

I believe woman, I love you so
Oooh, don't let me go
I don't want no woman telling me how to live my life
I ain't had no loving' and I just don't want no wife

I don't want no, want no
I don't want no woman
I don't want your loving, no
I don't want your
I believe your loving
Just don't ever [?] me right