Bessie Smith Ive Got What It Takes Lyrics

Ive Got What It Takes Lyrics

Oh Stingy Ginny saved up all her pennies

Straight to the bank she would
go

The sharks would have their hands around her

But none could get
her dough



Ginny's fellow was a slick high yellow

Sent away
to jail one day

He cried for bail, then turned real pale

When I(*)
heard Ginny say



Oh I've got what it takes

But it breaks my
heart to give it away

It's in demand

They wants it every day



I've been saving it up for a long long time

To give it away
would be more than a crime

Your eyes may roll, your teeth may grit

But none of my money will you git

You can look at my bank book

But I'll never let you feel my purse



Cause I'm a woman,
believes in safety first, safety first

Said if you want my money, here's
my plan

I'm saving it up for a real good man

I've got what it
takes

But it breaks my heart to give it away



She said I've
got what it takes

But it breaks my heart to give it away

It's in
demand

Folks cryin' for it every day



I've been saving it up
for a long long time

To give it away would be more than a crime

Your eyes may roll, your teeth may grit

But none of this small change
will you git

You can look at my bank book

But I'll never let you
put your hands on my purse



Lord I'm a woman, believes in safety
first, safety first

Say if you want my money, here's my plan

I'm
not savin' it up for no naked(?) man

I've got what it takes

But it
breaks my heart to give it away



(*) Bessie distinctly says "I"
though I think it should be "he".