[Lyric] Raisin the Rent (Duke Ellington)

[Instrumental]

[Verse 1]
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

[Bridge]
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

[Verse 2]
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
[Instrumental]