Nah I Gots Ma Gole Toof

Gold Tooth Blues

Now there’s many fool things a woman will do
To catch a man’s eye, she’ll wear a tight shoe,
She’ll wear a light dress and catch a bad cold
And have a tooth pulled for a tooth of gold.

I’m a good tooth woman with the gold tooth blues
‘Cause a gold tooth makes a woman look old!

Now gold in the bank is a wonderful thing,
And a woman looks nice with a nice gold ring,
But, honey, take a tip, and the tip ain’t cold,
Your mouth’s no place to carry your gold!

I’m a good tooth woman with the gold tooth blues
‘Cause a gold tooth makes a woman look old!

Some late Sunday mawnin’ when you’re still in the hay
And you want a little lovin’, your sweet man will say,
With a look that’ll turn your heart’s blood cold,
Woman, that gold tooth makes you look old!

I’m a good tooth woman with the gold tooth blues
‘Cause a gold tooth makes a woman look old!

When your man’s out of money and he must have a drink,*
He’ll sneak up behind you at the kitchen sink,
And before you can holler, I’m telling the truth,
He’ll brain you with a black-jack and pull your gold tooth!

I’m a good tooth woman with the gold tooth blues
‘Cause a gold tooth makes a woman look old!

(from The Collected Poems of Tennessee Williams)