American Ballads and Folk Songs

Complete Text, Lyrics & Sheet Music

	American Ballads and Folk Songs BLACK BETTY Black Betty is not another Frankie, nor yet a two-timing woman that a man can moan his blues about. She is the whip that was and is used in some Southern prisons. A convict on the Darrington State Farm in Texas, where, by the way, whipping has been practically dis­continued, laughed at Black Betty and mimicked her conversation in the following song.
	Oh, Lawd, Black Betty, Bam-ba-lamb, Oh, Lawd, Black Betty, Bambalamb, Black Betty had a baby, Bambalamb, Black Betty had a baby, Bambalamb. [60]