Photo by Clark Pierson

Famous Blues Covers

A brief, but stunning live rendition of this famous Jesse Fuller song: San Francisco Bay Blues!

Recorded at Austin, Texas 1963 or 1964.



Fuller first recorded the song in 1954, which was released by the World Song label in 1955. A one man band rendition of the song featuring a kazoo solo was recorded by Fuller during a 1962 concert.


"Got the blues from my baby

Left me by the san francisco bay.
This big ocean liner took her so far away.
Didn't mean to treat her so bad
She was the best girl I ever have had.
She said good-bye, and she made me cry
I'm gonna lay right down and die.
Well, I ain't got a nickel and I ain't got a lousy dime.
If she don't come back I think I'm gonna lose my mind.
If she ever comes back to stay,
Well, that'll be another brand new day,
Walking with my baby down by the san francisco bay.
Sittin' in my back door
Wondering which way to go
That woman I'm so crazy about
She don't love me no more.
Lord, I think I'll grab a freight train
Because I'm feeling blue,
Ride all the way to the end of the line
Thinking only about you.
Well, meanwhile in another city
Just about to go insane
Thought I heard my baby
The way she used called my name.
If she ever comin' back to stay
Well, that'll be another brand new day
Walking with my baby down by the san francisco bay
(I really mean it!)
Oh, walking with my baby down by the san francisco bay, whew!!"
Source: LyricFind
Composed by Jesse Fuller
Lyrics of San Francisco Bay Blues © T.R.O. Inc.