I'm taken down with the fever
And it won't let me sleep
I'm taken down with the fever
And it won't let me sleep
It was about three o'clock
Before he would let me be

I wish somebody
Would come and drive my fever, away
I wish somebody come and drive my fever away
This fever I'm havin'
Sho' is in my way

The fever I'm havin'
Sho' is hard on a man
The fever I'm havin'
Sho' is hard on a man
They don't allow my lover
Come and shake my hand

(guitar & washboard)

I wonder what's the matter with the fever?
Sho' is hard on a man
I wanna know what's the matter?
How come this fever hard on a man?
Doctor said, I had the fever
'That your lover has another man'

Doctor get yo' fever gauge
And put it under my tongue
Doctors get yo' fever gauge
And put it under my tongue
Doctor says, 'All you need, yo' lover in your arms.'

I wants my lover
Come and drive my fever, away
I wants my lover
Come and drive my fever away
Doctor says she'll do me more good in a day
Than he would in all of his days.

(guitar & washboard to end)