To the best of my ability, these are the lyric's to Leadbelly's 1939 a capella version of "Looky, Looky, Yonder/Black Betty/Yellow Woman's Doorbell" medley.

But I could use some help. First, words in parentheses "( )" are there to clarify the true word from it's - sometimes very different - phonetic use in the song.

Second, words in brackets "[ ]" are those words I'm not sure are right. If anyone can fill in these blanks, that would be fantastic.

Also, if I screwed up the lyrics anywhere else, I'd love to hear about it.

Leadbelly is an amazing historical musical legend, and this song practically possessed me to put together the lyrics. But I've searched all over the web and this thread is the best (free) source I've found.

Please be kind to all copyrights, etc.

…

Looky looky yonder
Looky looky yonder
Looky looky yonder
Where the sun done gone.

The cap'in' (captain) can't hold 'em
Cap'in' can't hold 'em
Cap'in' can't hold 'em
The way I do.

Yes Addie gotta gold mine
Addie gotta gold mine
Addie gotta gold mine
Way above her knee.

Looky looky yonder
Looky looky yonder
Looky looky yonder
Where the sun done gone.

[I's just] walking
[I's just] walking
[I's just] walking
All day long.

[She's] been talking
[She's] been talking
[She's] been talking
Babe, all day long.

Looky looky yonder
Looky looky yonder
Looky looky yonder
Where the sun done gone.

Oh Black Betty, Bam da lam
Oh Black Betty, Bam da lam

Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam
Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam

Damn thing gone crazy, Bam da lam
Damn thing gone crazy, Bam da lam

Oh Black Betty, Bam da lam
Oh Black Betty, Bam da lam

Oh baby Black Betty, Bam da lam
Oh baby Black Betty, Bam da lam

Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam
Black Betty had a baby, Bam da lam

Damn thing gone crazy, Bam da lam
Damn thing gone crazy, Bam da lam

Baby wasn't none of mine, Bam da lam
Baby wasn't none of mine, Bam da lam

Damn thing gone blind, Bam da lam
Damn thing gone blind, Bam da lam

Yeah Black Betty, Bam da lam
Whoa Black Betty, Bam da lam

Black Betty, Black Betty, Bam da lam
Black Betty, Black Betty, Bam da lam

Looky here, Black Betty, Bam da lam
Looky here, Black Betty, Bam da lam

Jump steady, Black Betty, Bam da lam
Jump steady, Black Betty, Bam da lam

Last Monday, baby I was arrested
        [Lawd (Lord), lawd, lawd]

On Tuesday, I was locked up in jail
        [Lawd, lawd, lawd]

On Wednesday, my child was attested
        [Lawd, lawd]

On Thursday, [nobody's gonna call my bail,] here's some mo'

Almost done, here's some mo'
Almost done, here's some mo'
Almost done, [Lawd, lawd]

And I ain't gonna, ain't done, [ya'll don't gimme no bail]
        [Lawd, lawd, lawd, lawd]

Last Monday, baby I went a'walking
        [Lawd, lawd]

On Tuesday, I shot me a'dog
        [Lawd, lawd, lawd]

On Wednesday, we was sittin' down a'talking
        [Lawd, lawd]

On Thursday, she pawned all of my clothes
        [Lawd, lawd, lawd]