I learned this song from Max Abramowitz in New Haven in 1960. A couple of years later, I was teaching in Paris and was talking about American traditional music to some of my students. The talk came around to Libba Cotton and I shared the song, "O, Babe It AIn't No Lie" witht hem. One said, "I know that song". I was very surprised since Max was the only one I had ever heard sing it and told them so. One of them said, "That's who it was, a woman named Max". And that's how I ran into Max in Paris.

Anyway, the words I know are a little different but I don't know where Max got them.

There is an old woman, Lord. lives in this town
Keeps spreading lies 'bout me.
Wish to the Lord that ol' woman would die,
She keeps spreading lies 'bout me.

Chorus: Oh, Babe, it ain't no lie,
Oh. Babe, it ain't no lie.
Oh, Babe, it ain't no lie,
This life I'm leading is very hard

I've been all 'round this whole wide world
And I just got back today.
Ever where I thought of you.
Honey baby, what more can I say.

Chorus:

Sourdough