Black Betty Lyrics

Look-a look-a yonder
Look-a look-a yonder
Look-a look-a yonder
Well the sun done gone

The captain can't hold her
The captain can't hold her
The captain can't hold her
The way I do now

Ada got a gold mine
Ada got a gold mine
Ada got a gold mine
Way above her knees

The shiv is golden
The shiv is golden
The shiv is golden
Above her knees

Look-a look-a yonder
Look-a look-a yonder
Look-a look-a yonder
Well the sun done gone

Wohoh, Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Wohoh, Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Black Betty had a baby, bam-e-lam
Black Betty had a baby, bam-e-lam
Damn thing was crazy, bam-e-lam
Damn thing was crazy, bam-e-lam
Wohoh, Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Wohoh, Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Oh, Betty Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Oh, Betty Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Black Betty had a baby, bam-e-lam
Black Betty had a baby, bam-e-lam
Damn thing was crazy, bam-e-lam
Damn thing was crazy, bam-e-lam
Black Betty didn't mind, bam-e-lam
Black Betty didn't mind, bam-e-lam
Damn thing was blind, bam-e-lam
Damn thing was blind, bam-e-lam
Wohoh, Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Wohoh, Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Black Betty, Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Black Betty, Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Jump steady Black Betty, bam-e-lam
Jump steady Black Betty, bam-e-lam
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
Yes, I'm almost done
Yes, I'm almost done
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
Yes, I'm almost done
Yes, I'm almost done
And I ain't gonna
No more

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About

Genius Annotation

An arrangement of an old traditional often attributed to Lead Belly, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released this song as the B-side to their single “The Singer”. It would later be made available on the 2005 compilation B-Sides & Rarities.

Credits
Producers
Backing Vocals
Vocals
Release Date
June 16, 1986
Black Betty Is A Cover Of
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