Screen door blowin' in the wind that's Dryin' up the blood on the ol' wood floor, Dead-man's shadow's still dancin' from A 40-watt bulb swingin' back and forth, Record is skippin' in the middle of Son House singin' 'bout an old death-letter, Little Ellie Mae's still cryin' in the Corner, sayin' "daddy should've known much better" Ol' dirty washtub Won't getcha' clean enough Sinnin' from the day you're born Beautifully sewn, violently torn Ellie Mae's life is like an ol' carney Ride gone wild and shakin' off the tracks Mama's in the kitchen ain't hearin' what she Heard, and takin' comfort from a bottle in a sack What she can't figure is if you're still Sinnin', how can you ever call yourself saved? She's singin' "knick-knack, paddy-whack, A broken glass of cognac, I bet he can't hurt me from the grave" Big bad wolf in pretty sheep's skin Showed his teeth when he took to the drink, Little bitty girl is capable of Terrible things when she's pushed to the brink, Some folks are just victims of the Times, and some from their own wicked ways But now the law is at the front door Ellie's out the back door Mama hangs her head in shame Hush, Ellie Mae You're safe and sound Daddy won't be showin' his face around He's gone to join ol' death for tea He gonna tell him about the little girl who grew big teeth