Black Betty

(album: Ballads, Blues And Boasters - 1964)

Been in jail such a long long time
Been in jail such a long long time
Been in jail such a long long time
Didn't know being born was such a crime
Black Betty is a mean old gal
Oh Black Betty is a mean old gal

Busting rock since 19 and 10
Busting rock since 19 and 10
Busting this rock since 19 and 10
But the rock I bust is hold again
Black Betty is a mean old gal
Oh Black Betty is a mean old gal

The sun is doing me harm
This working from sun to sun is doing me harm
Working from sun to sun is doing me harm
But I can't get off a this parchment farm
Black Betty is a mean old gal
Mmm Black Betty is a mean old gal

Black Betty got a lot to fear
Black Betty got a lot to fear
Black Betty got a lot to fear
It was a her big lies that a put me here
Black Betty is a mean old gal
Mmmm Black Betty is a mean old gal

Never gonna see my home no more
Never gonna see my home no more
I'm never gonna see my home no more
'Cause I can't get outta this jailhouse door
Black Betty is a mean old gal
Mmmm Black Betty is a mean old gal

I can call each man by name
Black Betty is a mean old gal
Call each man in here by name
Black betty oh, oh, oh call each man in here by name
But there's some like me they just ain't to blame
Black Betty is a mean old gal
Mmmm Black Betty is a mean old gal