Text: Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. I Know Better.

I'm surrounded by my enemies, mean me no good
Every time I start a fight they put water all on my wood
But that's alright, Lord I know better now
Well, that's alright, friends I know better now

I used to sit by this sick bed to give the pains ease
The room was all quarantined, without a filth or disease
But that's alright, yes, I'll get by somehow
Well, that's alright Brownie, Brownie knows better now

I used to sit around in these dumps, drinking this old, bad alcohol
With the worst class of people, suppose to be having a ball
But that's alright, I'll get by somehow
Well, that's alright, people are no better now

Well, you try to be good, bad or combined
Give your money all to women, won't even help the blind
But that's alright, well, I'll get by somehow
Well, that's alright, friends I know better now, let me see if you do

When you get drunk you think you got everything under control
Then you do your dirty, filthy work, doggone on your soul
But that's alright, friends I'll get by somehow
Well, that's alright, Brownie knows better now, yes I do