Raisin' the Rent - Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra

Good luck has crossed me

Bad luck has forced me down to my last one cent

I’m right in the middle of solving that riddle

Known as raising the rent

Steal, beg or borrow, got 'til tomorrow

Landlord’s a mean old gent

It’s come to a showdown and he wants the low down

If I’m raising my rent

Better times are taking too long

Panic’s on and it’s hitting me too strong

Got a right to sing a blue song

Trouble has got me down

I’ve made my mind up, I’d rather wind up

Camping out in a tent

Than being in the middle of solving that riddle

Known as raising my rent