Lyrics: Traditional/Jimmy Driftwood
Music: Traditional/Jimmy Driftwood
Played by Jerry Garcia withh an unnamed bluegrass band in Burlingame in January 1962.
Thanks to Matt Schofield for the lyrics.
There was a lawyer, his name was Clay (note 1)Notes
He had but two clients and they wouldn't pay
At last of starvation he grew so afraid
That he courted and married a wealthy old maid
At the wedding the lawyer made one big mistake
'Twas not in omitting the wine or the cake
The ring was well chosen, they had a big feed
But the lawyer did not get a warranty deed
At night in their chamber the lady arose
And began to prepare to retire and repose
Her husband stood near her admiring her charms
That gave him such pleasure to hold in his arms
She went to the washstand to bathe her fair face
And thus she destroyed all her beauty and grace
The rose on her cheek quickly grew faint
When he saw on the towel, 'twas nothing but paint
He's a very unfortunate, very unfortunate, very unfortunate man
She went to the mirror to take down her hair
And when she had done so her scalp was all bare
Said she, don't be frightened to see my bald head
I'll put on a cap when I get into bed
She hung her false hair on the wall on a peg
And then she proceeded to take off her leg
Her quivering husband felt sure he would die
When she asked him to come and take out her glass eye
He's a very unfortunate, very unfortunate, very unfortunate man
Her husband was biting his quivering lips
While she removed her counterfeit hips
Just then her false nose clattered down to the floor
And the poor lawyer, screaming, ran out of the door
Now all you young men who would marry for life
Be sure to examine your intended wife
Remember the lawyer who trusted his eyes
And a little bit later got quite a surprise
He's a very unfortunate, very unfortunate, very unfortunate man