Traditional (Also known as Kelly’s Love) Published in 1926 by W. C. Handy Words and arrangement by W. C. Handy
Sheet Music
Accompaniment
Lyrics
Refrain
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Love, oh love, oh careless love
You’ve broke the heart of a many poor girl
But you’ll never break this heart of mine
Refrain
Now I wear my apron high
Now I wear my apron high
Now I wear my apron high
And he never never passes by
Words by Martha E. Koenig and Spencer Williams
Love, oh love, oh careless love
You fly to the head like wine
You’ve wrecked the life of many a poor gal
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine
Love, oh love, oh careless love
In your clutched of desire
You’ve made me break a many true vow
Then you set my very soul on fire
Love, oh love, oh careless love
All my happiness bereft
You’ve filled my heart with weary old blues
Now I’m walkin’ talkin’ to myself
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Trusted you now it’s too late
You’ve made me throw my only friend down
That is why I sing this hymn of hate
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Night and day I weep and moan
You brought the wrong man into my life
For my sins till judgement I’ll atone
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Here is all that I can say
Just like a Gypsy I’m roamin’ ’round
And just can’t keep the blues away
Love, oh love, oh careless love
Like a thief comes in the night
You came into this glad heart of mine
Then you put my happiness to flight