Stone For Bessie Smith

Isn't it amazing, shakes you to the bone?
She bought a stone for Bessie Smith
She bought Bessie Smith a stone
She got it for her grave site

On a temporary loan but she forgot
She had not paid for her own
She forgot she had not paid
She forgot she had not paid

After all the contracts
And arrangements had been made
She went to Bessie's grave
And marked it with a stone
But she still had to pay for her own

She went home to her class reunion
Where a class mate he confessed
She wouldn't want this getting out
But she used to be the best in school

She was a nice girl
As descent as the rest
Though she never was
Conservatively dressed

Isn't it amazing, you think
She could've known?
She bought a stone for Bessie Smith
She bought Bessie Smith a stone
She got it for her grave site

On a temporary loan but she forgot
She had not paid for her own
She forgot she had not paid
She forgot she had not paid

No sooner had the letters
On the deed begun to fade
When her ashes had been scattered
Been battered and been blown
She still had to pay for her own

She knew miss Gloria Swanson
On a TV show they met
They talked across a hundred years
Miss Gloria's with us yet

But Janis was a gambler
Who'd already lost a bet
And the time had come
To settle up her debt

Isn't it amazing, shakes you to the bone?
She bought a stone for Bessie Smith
She bought Bessie Smith a stone
She got it up for Bessie

On a temporary loan but she forgot
She had not paid for her own