Today’s song of the day is “Black Betty” by the group Ram Jam.

Song Facts

“Black Betty” by the group Ram Jam is a remake of an African-American work song from the late 1930s. It has been remade several times since its original recording.
The first known recording of any version of “Black Betty” is in 1933 by John and Alan Lomax.
The first person to record their performance of the song was James “Iron Head” Baker.
The definition of the term “Black Betty” in the song’s hook is still in question.
A black betty is said to reference being drunk or a bottle of whiskey in both Scotland and the United States. There is also some debate about whether the terminology refers to the use of a whip.
Another variation of the term black betty was used by prisoners to describe the wagon that took them to the penitentiary. The term was used to describe the penitentiary wagon up until the 1960s.
There were several versions of the song “Black Betty” recorded. An upbeat tempo was added to the song and performed by the group Ram Jam in the late 1970s.
Although “Black Betty “was released in 1977 under the genre of classic rock, the song is timeless and still being enjoyed by fans today.
The Ram Jam version of the song reached popularity in the United States, The UK, and Australia.

Lyrics:

Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)

Black Betty had a child (Bam-ba-lam)

The damn thing gone wild (Bam-ba-lam)

She said, “I’m worryin’ outta mind” (Bam-ba-lam)

The damn thing gone blind (Bam-ba-lam)

I said oh, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)

Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)

She really gets me high (Bam-ba-lam)

You know that’s no lie (Bam-ba-lam)

She’s so rock steady (Bam-ba-lam)

And she’s always ready (Bam-ba-lam)

Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)

Get it!

Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)

She’s from Birmingham (Bam-ba-lam)

Way down in Alabam’ (Bam-ba-lam)

Well, she’s shakin’ that thing (Bam-ba-lam)

Boy, she makes me sing (Bam-ba-lam)

Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)

Whoa, Black Betty

Bam-ba-laaam, yeah, yeah