Transcribed from Leadbelly King of the 12-String Guitar, Columbia Roots 'N' Blues 467893.
12 string in standard down 5 semitones to B and played in G position, actual pitch is D.
[Intro, 5 bars on the I]
My breakfast's on the table and my coffee[1] gettin' cold
My mama's in the kitchen gettin' a-sweet papa told
Baby you don't know, don't know my mind
When you see me laughin', laughin' just to keep from cryin'
Ask my baby could she stand to see me cry
She said "Sweet papa I could stand to see you die"
Baby you don't know, don't know my mind
When you see me laughin', laughin' just to keep from cryin'
Walkin' down the levee with my head hangin' low
Lookin' for my sweet mama and she ain't here no more
Baby you don't know, don't know my mind
When you see me laughin', laughin' just to keep from cryin'
Baby you don't know, you don't know, you don't know my mind, doggone it mama
You don't know, don't know my mind
When you see me laughin', laughin' just to keep from cryin'
I can't fork no wheeler[2], can't shake no flour[3]
But I can do anything if you show me how
Baby you don't know, don't know my mind
When you see me laughin', laughin' just to keep from cryin'
First I met you, Lord, made out of stone, Lord I ...
I took you in you didn't have no home
Baby you don't know, don't know my mind
When you see me laughin', laughin' just to keep from cryin'
I worked all the summer, follow the fall
Come home and took my Christmas[4] in my overalls
Baby you don't know, don't know my mind
When you see me laughin', laughin' just to keep from cryin'
You don't know, you don't know, you don't know my mind, doggone it baby
You don't know, Lord, know my mind
When you see me laughin', laughin' just to keep from cryin'
[Instrumental verse out]
Notes:
[1] coffee: alternative hearing is collard[s]
[2] wheeler: possibly a paddle steamer
[3] can't shake no flour: alternative hearing is plow
[4] took my Christmas in my overalls: alternative hearing is tucked my pistols in my overalls