Here is a story 'bout a gal
Folks called her Torchy Tess
Because she trusted, her heart got busted
Love made her life a mess
It evidently was an awful blow
For this is, word for word, poor Tess's tale of woe

I had a man
He was a good man
That is, you see, what I mean is
I thought he was a good man
I had a friend
She was a good friend
I told my friend 'bout my man 'cause
I thought she was a good friend

Life was sweet, didn't I have my man?
World complete, then the fireworks began
Ain't got no man, ain't got no friend
Well, I bet you can guess just exactly what happened
That was the end, the end of my friend
The end of my man and almost the end of me

Life was sweet, didn't I have, didn't I have my man?
World complete, then the fireworks began
Ain't got no man, ain't got no friend
Well, I bet you can guess just exactly what happened
That was the end, the end of my friend
The end of my man, and darn near the end of me
Yeah