“Black Betty”

Description

"Oh Lawd, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam (x2), Black Betty had a baby, bam-ba-lam (x2)." "Oh, Lawd, Black Betty... It de cap'n's baby." "Oh, Lawd, Black Betty... but she didn't feed the baby. "Oh Lawd, Black Betty... Black Betty, where'd you come from?"

Notes

According to the Lomaxes, "[Black Betty] is the whip that was and is used in some Southern prisons." - RBW

Recordings

  • Mose "Clear Rock" Platt, "Black Betty" (AFS 2643 B2, 1939)

References

  1. Lomax-ABFS, pp. 60-61, "Black Betty" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. DT, BLKBETTY*
  3. Roud #11668
  4. BI, LxA060

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1934
Found in: US(So)