25 March 1935 NYC,
ARC 17179-1 unissued,
Transcribed from Leadbelly King of the 12-String Guitar, Columbia Roots 'N' Blues 467893,
12 string in standard down 4 semitones to C and played in A position, actual pitch is F.
[Intro, 4 bars on the I]
Yellow jacket, yellow jacket[1]! Please sting me once more
Yellow jacket, yellow jacket! Please sting me once more
You can sting me once more
And then I've got to go
You stung me this mornin', stung me 'til I was sore
Ah you stung me this mornin', stung me 'til I was sore
You can sting me one more time
Please don't sting me no more
[Two instrumental lines]
You can sting me one more time
Please don't sting me no more
You can buzz yellow jacket, buzz all around my face
You can buzz yellow jacket, buzz all around my face
I don't want no other yellow jacket
To, God, take your place
You can go down town, kinfolks all around
You can go down town, kinfolks all around
But if I catch you stingin', baby I'll burn your nest on down
Ooooooh, I'll burn your nest on down
Ooooooh, I'll burn your nest on down
[spoken] Great God almighty yellow jacket, don't sting me no more [/spoken]
But if I catch you stingin', I'll burn your nest on down
Notes:
"yellowjacket" is pronounced and written as one word in most places, ARC titled it "Yellow Jacket" though.