I studied evil, I can't deny Was a hoodoo charm called a Love Me or Die Some fingernail, a piece of her dress Apocathery, devil's behes' I will relate, the piteous consequence of my mistake Falling slave to passing desire Making the dreaded Love Me or Die Under a jungle primeval green She had the looks of a beauty queen No bangles or chain, wearing broken shoe Seventy-five cent bottle perfume I said good morning, I tipped my hat All the while I was cunning like a rat Smiling gaily, looked her in the eye I felt in pocket, the Love Me or Die My past history, one to behold I studied magic from days of old Membership, secret societies Power and wealth in my family But Matilda, darling Why you don't take my wedding ring Like a demon under the floor I buried the hoodoo down the back door Lawd, word broke through the town That a fever strike Matilda down Nine thirty, the doctor arrive Priest come running, quarter to five Standing in the weeds early next day I saw the meat wagon rolling away I seen Matilda laying in the back Her old mother wearing a suit of black Sound the trumpet, and bang the drum I wait for me judgement to come I know her spirit is down beneath I hear the weeping and gnashing of the teeth Flames of hell licks at my feet In the shadow of the jungle I feel the heat Matilda's waiting in hell for me too All cause she died from a bad hoodoo I studied evil, I can't deny Was a hoodoo charm called a love me or die Some fingernail, a piece of her dress Apocathery, devil's behes'