Early one morning, baby, something was all on my mind Early one morning, baby, something was all on my mind Oh, I was thinkin' about my welfare, and I just couldn't keep from cryin' Oh, cried one time, mama, your daddy ain't gonna cry no more Oh, cried one time, mama, your daddy ain't gonna cry no more Lord, I made up in my mind, pretty mama, honey, it's, Great God, let you go Good-bye, pretty mama, oh baby, fare thee well Good-bye, pretty mama, oh baby, fare thee well Lord, I'm afraid to meet you in that other world somewhere Oh baby, I'm so glad that this whole round world do know Oh baby, I'm so glad that this whole round world do know That every living creature, mmm, reap just what they sow That's the reason why you hear me cryin', "Lord, please have mercy on me" That's the reason why you hear me cryin', "Lord, please have mercy on me" Because I don't want my woman, mmmm, reap no bad seed That's the reason why I keep on tellin' her, papa tell her 'bout her dirty deeds That's the reason why I keep on tellin' her, papa tell her 'bout her dirty deeds Because, since you're glad of who you are, babe, man, my woman'll reap rotten seed