[Verse 1]
Don't know where I'm going
Or where I've been
Do the blues follow me
Or do I follow them?
When you see me coming
Expect bad news
'cause when you meet me, mister
You'll shake hands with the blues

[Chorus]
If I'm all alone
Or out in a crowd
Just over my head
There's a little black cloud
Raining blues down on me
From my head to my shoes
Lord, I'm always lonely
So shake hands with the blues

[Interlude]

[Verse 2]
That gal I love
Don't care for me
And I can't get along with
The one that loves me
I was born during hard times
And I'm telling you
They ain't never got better
So shake hands with the blues
[Chorus]
When I walk through the city
And this ain't no lie
The little kids on the sidewalk
Stop their games when I pass by
Guess I'd better be going
Got nothing 'gainst you
If anyone should ask you
Tell 'em you just shook hands with the blues