Thanks everyone for the input. Some of the corrections seem so obvious, after being pointed out. Here are the modified lyrics to Leadbelly's 1939 a capella version of "Looky, Looky, Yonder/Black Betty/Yellow Woman's Doorbell" medley, complete with what seem to be the most accurate suggestions (so far).

Still, brackets "[ ]" mean the words may not be right. Parentheses "( )" are used to clarify words that are spelled much differently then they sound phonetically in the song.

Please note, I'm NOT clarifying correct English spelling to insult Leadbally or anyone else. Rather, I'm doing it because at least one of the lyric requests comes from someone who speaks English as a second language. So I'm not sure if phonetic (sounds-like) spellings would always be understood. Another reason to clarify these words is that phonetic spelling messes up any translation program.

For the same reasons, I might as well point out that "ain't" is improper English. It's a contraction of "are not, is not, am not, has not," or "have not." Even though it is improper, "ain't" is commonly used and understood in English speaking countries, but generally is associated with less-educated native speakers.   Further, someone speaking English as a second language may sound affected or strange if he or she used "ain't" in regular conversation (but not as part of a song, of course!).

"I's" (if this is the correct word used in the song) is more improper English, literally: "I is," rather than the proper "I am." Although "I's" can be understood by most in the U.S.A., it is much less common or accepted. In fact, it could be associated, negatively, as an outdated and stereotypical depiction of language used by black Americans. Other word combinations, such as "done gone," are similarly incorrect and possibly offensive as stereotyping black Americans. But here again the meaning is still understood (the improper "done gone" is understood as the proper "is gone" or "has gone"). And, again, as part of a song- particularly part of a song by a legend like Leadbelly- all of these words are … perfect!

In this version, the other words that aren't proper English are phonetic spellings rather than incorrect English. In other words, Leadbellly wasn't using improper English just because I chose to use a phonetic spelling. His dialect is distinct enough that some phonetic spellings are arguably more useful than the correct spelling when trying to follow the lyrics.

I hope I don't have to point out to anyone, no matter what their native language, that "Bam da lam" doesn't mean anything in English (or any other language I've ever heard).

Has anyone guessed that I've taught English for a living?

Finally, for the sake of accuracy, it should be pointed out that Leadbelly almost certainly did not originate any of these three songs or lyrics. They were passed to him from much earlier sources.   But he provided one of the earliest recordings of it with this version, which was made in part for the U.S. Library of Congress as an important historical record.

Anyone interested in more history about this medley or Leadbelly in general?   This site is great! Probably, most Leadbelly info is already here. I "ain't no" expert. Just a fan.

Looky Looky Yonder/Black Betty/Yellow Woman's Doorbell
Version recorded a capella by Leadbelly- 1939

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

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

Yes Addie gotta (got a) 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 trial was attested
        Lawd, lawd

On Thursday, nobody's gonna (going to) go my bail, here's some mo' (more)

Almost done, here's some mo'
Almost done, here's some mo'
Almost done, lawd, lawd

And I ain't gone, ain't done, ya'll don't hand me 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, lawd

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

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