Buddy Bolden’s Blues
Music- Buddy Bolden, Lyrics- Jelly Roll Morton.

As the sole surviving composition of New Orleans cornetist Buddy Bolden, this is arguably the oldest know jazz tune.
 
(Original key: F)

C              Cdim G7      C         C7                         

I thought I heard Buddy Bolden say
F               Ebdim       C        C7

Stinky butt funky butt, take it away
F               Ebdim       C         A7     

Stinky butt funky butt, take it away
  G        Eb A7    D7  G   G7
I thought I heard him say
C  C7       Cdim Ddim* C         C9

I thought I heard Buddy Bolden shout
F                  Ebdim              C         C7

Open up the window, let that bad air out
F                   Ebdim             C          A7  
Open up the window, let that bad air out
  D7          G7           C

I thought I heard him shout

I thought I heard Judge Fogarty say

Give him thirty days in the market, take him away

Give him a good broom to sweep with, take him away

I thought I heard him say

I thought I heard Frankie Dusen shout

Gal, give me that money or I’m gonna beat it out

Give me that money, I explain you, or I’m gonna beat it out

I thought I heard him shout

*D diminished can be substituted for G7 here.