Al Terry (Allison Joseph Theriot, 1922-1985)
Roughneck Blues (1956)

Ten days out, and four days in
And then I'm out ten days again
Four days ain't enough to lose
These low down roughneck blues

I'd like to quit, but I don't know how
I guess my blood is crude oil now
I guess I'm never gonna lose
These low down roughneck blues

On at midnight, off at noon
My four days off can't come too soon
Make good money, spend it all
When I go on a ball

Ten days out, and four days in
And then I'm out ten days again
Four days ain't enough to lose
These low down roughneck blues

(instrumental interlude)

I told that driller yesterday
I'm going home, and home I'll stay
But he knows just as well as me
In four days here I'll be

I'd like to quit, but I don't know how
I guess my blood is crude oil now
I guess I'm never gonna lose
These low down roughneck blues

On at midnight, off at noon
My four days off can't come too soon
Make good money, spend it all
When I go on a ball

Ten days out, and four days in
And then I'm out ten days again
Four days ain't enough to lose
These low down roughneck blues