(ragtime)

Right string, baby

But the wrong yo-yo

Somebody knockin' on yo' do'

I passed this mo'nin' by the hardware sto'

I bought a brand new string

To fit in my yo-yo

Went on down to the doctor

To get this string put on

He turned around

And put the string on wrong

No need a-knockin' on nobody's do'

You got the right string, baby

But the wrong yo-yo

(piano)

Mama tol' me, papa did, too

'Some-a these here women

Gonna be the death of you'

'Better find out which 'un you crave, son

Some a-these here women'll

Take you to yo grave'!

See me comin', baby

Put yo' man outdo's

I ain't no stranger

I been here, befo'

No need a-knockin' on nobody's do'

The right string, baby but the wrong yo-yo

(piano)

The right string but the wrong yo-yo

Somebody's knockin' on the do'

Pass this mo'nin by the hardware sto'

Brand new string to fit in my yo-yo

Went to the doctor

To get this string put on

He made a mistake

An put it on wrong

No need a-knockin' on nobody's do'

You got the right string, baby but the wrong yo-yo.

(piano to end)