Black Betty is an iconic American folk song that has been interpreted by a variety of artists. It has been covered by Ram Jam, Lead Belly, Tom Jones, and Bruce Springsteen, among others. The song has a long and mysterious history, which has generated debate and speculation over its origins. This article takes a look at the full lyrics of Black Betty and explores the song’s origins.
Origins of Black Betty
Black Betty is a traditional American folk song that has been recorded by a variety of artists over the years. The earliest known version of the song was recorded by Lead Belly in 1939. Lead Belly’s version was a standard twelve-bar blues, and its lyrics were quite different from the versions that followed. The song then became popularized by Ram Jam’s 1977 rock cover, which featured a more recognizable melody and lyrics. While the exact origins of the song remain unclear, the most popular theory is that it was written by an African-American slave in the 19th century.
Full Lyrics of Black Betty
Ram Jam’s version of Black Betty contains the following lyrics:
Verse 1:
Oh, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Verse 2:
Black Betty had a child, bam-ba-lam
Verse 3:
The damn thing gone wild, bam-ba-lam
Chorus:
Oh, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Verse 4:
She said it’s who I am, bam-ba-lam
Verse 5:
Oh, Black Betty bam-ba-lam
Verse 6:
Oh, Black Betty bam-ba-lam
Chorus:
Oh, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Verse 7:
She said it’s who I am, bam-ba-lam
Verse 8:
Oh, Black Betty bam-ba-lam
Verse 9:
Oh, Black Betty bam-ba-lam
Chorus:
Oh, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Verse 10:
She said it’s who I am, bam-ba-lam
Verse 11:
Oh, Black Betty bam-ba-lam
Verse 12:
Oh, Black Betty bam-ba-lam
Chorus:
Oh, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Black Betty is an iconic American folk song that has been interpreted by a variety of artists over the years. Its origins remain a mystery, but its lyrics are now widely known. The song has been covered by Ram Jam, Lead Belly, Tom Jones, and Bruce Springsteen, among others. Whether you are a fan of the original or the various interpretations, Black Betty is sure to get you singing along.