Here are the lyrics we have in the Digital Tradition. Are they correct? I got a message from somebody today who thinks the chorus ends "Lord this life I'm living is very high." I can see his point. To me, it sounds like "high" after the first verse, and "hard" after the second.

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OH, BABE IT AIN'T NO LIE

One old woman, Lord, in this town
Keeps a telling lies on me.
Wish to my soul that she would die, Lord,
She's telling lies on 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 living is very hard.

Been all around this whole round world,
Lord, and I just got back today.
Work all the week, honey and I give it all to you,
Honey babe, what more can I do?

Probably traditional, from the singing of Elizabeth Cotten.

filename[ AINTLIE
PT DB MK

It appears that the lyrics came from this 1997 post from Peter Timmermann (click)

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Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry, which allows for both high and hard.

Oh Babe, It Ain't No Lie

DESCRIPTION: Singer says that one old woman in the town is lying about her, and wishes the old woman would die. "Been all around this whole round world/I just got back today.... Oh, babe, it ain't no lie (x3), (Know) this life I'm living is very (hard/high)."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1958 (recording, Elizabeth Cotten)
KEYWORDS: lie nonballad floatingverses hardtimes
FOUND IN: US(SE)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Cohen/Seeger/Wood, p. 121, "Oh Babe, It Ain't No Lie" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber-FSWB, p. 184, "Oh, Babe, It Ain't No Lie" (1 text)
RECORDINGS:
Elizabeth Cotten, "Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie" (on Cotten01)
NOTES: Elizabeth Cotten learned this song from country blues singers around Chapel Hill, NC. - PJS
I would note that the versions I've heard of this piece are very diverse; most seem to consist of floating lyrics (or at least themes) held together by the chorus "Oh babe, it ain't no lie." - RBW
File: CSW121

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