I'm taken down with the fever And it won't let me sleep I'm taken down with the fever And it won't let me sleep It was about three o'clock Before he would let me be I wish somebody Would come and drive my fever, away I wish somebody come and drive my fever away This fever I'm havin' Sho' is in my way The fever I'm havin' Sho' is hard on a man The fever I'm havin' Sho' is hard on a man They don't allow my lover Come and shake my hand (guitar & washboard) I wonder what's the matter with the fever? Sho' is hard on a man
I wanna know what's the matter? How come this fever hard on a man? Doctor said, I had the fever 'That your lover has another man' Doctor get yo' fever gauge And put it under my tongue Doctors get yo' fever gauge And put it under my tongue Doctor says, 'All you need, yo' lover in your arms.' I wants my lover Come and drive my fever, away I wants my lover Come and drive my fever away Doctor says she'll do me more good in a day Than he would in all of his days. (guitar & washboard to end)