—Sam Theard 1931
Reworked through the years in many styles, here are original 1931 lyrics…
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you (x2)
When you're dead and gone
Then you'll leave my wife alone
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
You done had my wife long enough, you rascal, you (x2)
You done had my wife long enough
Now ain't you tired of that old stuff
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
Now I wonder what have you got, you rascal you (x2)
Now I wonder what have you got
That makes my wife thin you're so hot
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
I'm gonna hang you on a tree you rascal you (x2)
I'm gonna hang you on a tree
'Cause there'll be no way to trace(?) for me
I'm gonna cut your arms off too, you rascal you (x2)
I'm gonna cut your arms off too
And somethin' else that's attached to you
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
You gave my wife a diamond ring, you rascal, you (x2)
You gave my wife a diamond ring
So you could shake that thing
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
Tons more verses…
I'll be glad when you dead, (you rascal, you)
When you dead in your grave
No more women will you crave
I trusted you in my home
You wouldn't leave my wife alone
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
I fed you since last fall
Then you got your ashes hauled
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
You asked my wife to wash your clothes
And something else I suppose
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
You know you done me wrong
You done stole my wife and gone
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
You asked my wife for a meal
And something else you tried to steal
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
Please don't let me find you
cause you'll leave this world behind you
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
It goes on…
Ain't no use to run
I done bought a Gatling gun
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
I'm gonna kill you just for fun
The buzzards gonna have you when I'm done
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
You done messed with my wife
And I'm gonna take your life
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
I'll be standing on the corner full of gin
When they bring your dead body in
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
When they bury you six feet deep
No more fried chicken can you eat
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
Ain't gonna be tears in nobody's eyes
When they drag your sorry butt by
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
You know you done me wrong
You done stole my wife and gone
I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you
Verse:
| I | V | I | I |
| I | I | V | V |
| I | I7 | IV | IV |
| I | V | I | I |