Trouble in Mind
On of my favorite old songs is Trouble in Mind. The oldest recording, though the song likely has older folk roots, is by Fields Ward.
The lyrics, gleaned from the Mudcat forum are as follows:
AIN’T THAT TROUBLE IN MIND
Fields Ward & the Grayson County Railsplitters
Trouble, oh trouble, it’s trouble all the time
If trouble don’t kill me, I’ll live a long time.
Ain’t that trouble in mind, Ain’t that trouble in mind
My Mammy told me something, my Daddy told me more
I ever I married in my life, bring trouble in the door
Ain’t that trouble in mind, Ain’t that trouble in mind
What my Mammy tells me will sure to come to pass
A-drinkin’ and a-gamblin’ will be my running last
Ain’t that trouble in mind, Ain’t that trouble in mind
What my Daddy tells me it’s sure to be done
I’ll live a couple of centuries (?)Before I’m twenty-one
Ain’t that trouble in mind, Ain’t that trouble in mind
Sometimes I have money, sometimes I have none,
When I get on a drunken spree my money’s soon all gone.
Ain’t that trouble in mind, Ain’t that trouble in mind
Sometimes I drink one dram sometimes I drink two
When I get on a drunken spree no telling what I’ll do
Ain’t that trouble in mind, Ain’t that trouble in mind
My daddy told me to marry but not for riches
Marry a gal six feet tall so she can’t wear my britches
Ain’t that trouble in mind, Ain’t that trouble in mind
There are many more versions, some highlighted at the Mudcat link. The New Orleans street band Yes Ma’am does, in my opinion, a particularly good rendition: