Yes on me, it's poor me, you must take pity on poor me
I ain't got nobody, take pity on poor me

You may go, you may stay
But she'll come back some sweet day
By and by, sweet mama, by and by

Don't the Moon look pretty shinin' down through the tree?
Oh, I can see Bertha Lee
Lord, but she can't see me

You may go, you may stay
But she'll come back some sweet day
By and by, sweet mama
Baby won't you, by and by

You may go, you may stay
But she'll come back some sweet day
By and by, sweet mama, by and by

Yes on me, it's poor me
You must have pity on poor me
I ain't got nobody
Take pity on poor me

Don't the Moon look pretty shinin' down through the tree?
Oh, I can see Bertha Lee
But she can't see me

You may go, you may stay
But she'll come back some sweet day
By and by, sweet mama
Oh baby, won't you, by and by