Bessie's Washboard Blues

by Ralph McTell

Rub a dub dub wash and scrub
With her old washboard
Bessie Bagwash scrubbing all the day
Until her hands are sore

Rub a dub dub from her head down to her shoes
Old Bessie's scrubbing all the day
She's got them Washboard Blues

Rub a dub dub wash and scrub
It's more than she can handle
Squeezing all the water out
With that ancient mangle

Rub a dub dub from her head down to her shoes
Old Bessie's scrubbing all the day
She's got them Washboard Blues

Rub a dub dub wash and scrub
Clothes hung on the line
Starts with pleats and socks and sheets
She hopes that the weather stays fine

Rub a dub dub from her head down to her shoes
Old Bessie's scrubbing all the day
She's got them Washboard Blues

Rub a dub dub wash and scrub
If it should start to rain
She's got to go out and grab them clothes
And bring them in again

Rub a dub dub from her head down to her shoes
Old Bessie's scrubbing all the day
She's got them Washboard Blues

Rub a dub dub wash and scrub
The new machines are the best
Cos you bung in the clothes
With a little bit of soap
And you let them do the rest

Rub a dub dub from her head down to her shoes
Old Bessie's scrubbing all the day
She's got them Washboard Blues

Now Bessie's hands are nice and soft
Cos all her hard work's done
But she keeps her washboard just in case
And she plays it just for fun

Rub a dub dub from her head down to her shoes
Old Bessie's scrubbing all the day
She's got them Washboard Blues

Old Bessie's so happy now
She's lost them Washboard Blues











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