Lyrics: Black Betty
Album: Kicking Against The Pricks
Artist: Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
 

(leadbelly)
A traditional version is also available.

Look-a look-a yonder (3x)
Well the sun done gone

The captain can’t hold her (3x)
The way i do now

Ada got a gold mine (3x)
Way above her knees

The shiv (?) is golden (3x)
Above her knees

Look-a look-a yonder (3x)
Well the sun done gone

Wohoh, black betty, bam-e-lam (2x)
Black betty had a baby, bam-e-lam (2x)
Damn thing was crazy, bam-e-lam (2x)
Wohoh, black betty, bam-e-lam (2x)
Oh, betty black betty, bam-e-lam (2x)
Black betty had a baby, bam-e-lam (2x)
Damn thing was crazy, bam-e-lam (2x)
Black betty didn’t mind, bam-e-lam (2x)
Damn thing was blind, bam-e-lam (2x)
Wohoh, black betty, bam-e-lam (2x)
Black betty, black betty, bam-e-lam (2x)
Jump steady black betty, bam-e-lam (2x)

That monday, i was arrested
Tuesday, i locked up in jail
Wednesday baby, my trial’s tested
On thursday, nobody could blow my bail

Yes, i’m almost done (3x)
And i ain’t gonna yell against no bells

On monday, baby i went a-walking
Tuesday, i …. asked to go
On wednesday i sat down a-talking
On thursday she hock all a my clothes

Yes, i’m almost done (3x)
And i ain’t gonna …. no more