I come in home one Sat'day night, pull off my clothes and I lie down I come in home one Sat'day night, pull off my clothes and I lie down And that morning just about the break of day the meningitis begin to creep around My head and neck was paining me. Feel like my back would break in two My head and neck was paining me. Feel like my back would break in two I hurried to the neighbors that morning, I didn't know what in the world to do My companion take me to the doctor. "Doctor, please tell me my wife's complaint" My companion take me to the doctor. "Doctor, please tell me my wife's complaint" Doctor looked down on me, shook his head, said, "I wouldn't mind telling you, son, but I cain't He take me round to the city hospital. The clock was striking ten He take me round to the city hospital. The clock was striking ten I done hear my companion say, "I don't b'lieve I'll see your smiling face again Then the nurses all began to set around me. The doctors had done give me out Then the nurses all began to set around me. The doctors had done give me out Every time I'd have a potion, I would have a foaming at the mouth Mmm, the meningitis killing me Mmm, the meningitis killing me I'm failing, I'm failing, baby, My head is bended down until my knee