“Black Betty” by Huddie Leadbetter (Lead Belly) was written sometime in the 1930s and appears on the self-titled Ram Jam album – 1977. The song by Lead Belly is an adaptation of a 19th century American work-gang song, and an even earlier 18th century marching cadence.

The origin and meaning of the lyrics continue to be debated even today, but none of the possibilities are sexual. Historically, “Black Betty” may refer to the nickname given to a number of objects: a musket, a bottle of whisky, a whip, or a penitentiary transfer wagon. Here are the two best arguments:

1. Some sources claim the song is derived from an 18th century marching cadence about a flintlock musket with a black painted stock; the “bam-ba-lam” lyric referring to the sound of the gunfire. Soldiers in the field were said to be “hugging Black Betty”.

2. Other sources give the meaning of “Black Betty” to be a liquor bottle. In January 1736, Benjamin Franklin published ‘The Drinker’s Dictionary’ in the Pennsylvania Gazette, offering over 200 phrases for being drunk. One of those phrases is “He’s kissed Black Betty.” If this argument is true, it may owe its origin to a famous barmaid of the same name who worked at the notorious Tom King’s Coffee House in Covent Garden, London in the early 18th century.