Verse:
I came in from being out … till half-past two o’clock;
Couldn’t get past the front door ‘cause my baby changed the lock.
She said that she was over me; she said that we were through,
I guess I missed the signals; I didn’t catch the clues,
Then my friend gave me his guitar … said there’s only one thing to do
Pour my sorrows out in the 12 bar blues … 

So, I’m starting on the corner - down at Dudley’s Cruise-On Inn;
Then I’m moving on to One-Eyed Jack’s - do a round with all my friends;
Have some shots with this Marine - at the Texas Rose Café;
Now I’ve made my way to K.T.’s, - and Miz Newbies by the bay
I’m walking off my heartache and wearing out my shoes…
So far its five bars later … but I still have the blues …

Chorus:
Won’t somebody help me (somebody help me) 
Tell me what I’m doing wrong (what I’m doing wrong) 
I’ve been working on these 12 bars … the way they told me to
But I ain’t feeling any better … and she’s still gone … she’s gone

Verse:
I hit the White Horse, the Long Horn - and Johnny’s Hideaway;
Cowboy hats and tiki lamps – it’s been a long, strange day…
The Elks’ Club, the Moose Lodge - the VFW Hall;
Then I struck out at the All Night Lanes when I missed the last call.
Settled for the Claremont … not a place I’d usually choose…
But now its 12 bars later and I… still have the blues…

Chorus:
Won’t somebody help me (somebody help me) 
Tell me what I’m doing wrong (what I’m doing wrong) 
I’ve been working on these 12 bars … the way they told me to
But I ain’t feeling any better … and she’s still gone

Won’t somebody help me (somebody help me) 
Tell me what I’m doing wrong (what I’m doing wrong) 
I’ve been working on these 12 bars … the way they told me to
But I ain’t feeling any better … and she’s still gone

(spoken) Say, what’d my buddy give me his dang guitar for anyway?