BARREL HOUSE BESSIE
Written and recorded by: Johnny Bond

Note.
Parts of 1st two lines in each verse
done in SPOKEN/SUNG style.

[1] I was up in the Klondike, diggin' for Gold
Bravin' the storm, and shi-[17] verin' cold
When I [4] stepped in a bar, to get myself warm
[1] Not thinkin' nothin', about femine charm
When I [5] heard a piano,
A-[4] playin the [5] honky tonk [1] blues

Well, I gandered around, to have me a look
Right there she sat, just like in a book
Her hair was all red, and so was her lips
She was covered with diamonds, from shoulder to hips
It was Barrel House Bessie, my gal from Baltimore Town

When I nodded hello, she just rolled her eyes
And pounded the keys, and winked at some guys
So I wandered across, to where she was sittin'
I says, I know you, 'cause I ain't forgettin'
You're Barrel House Bessie, my gal from Baltimore Town

Well she kept right on playin', an' soon she looked up
She picked up her glass, and took a wee sup
And said, yes I'm the gal, you jilted before
I followed you here, to settle the score
Yes I'm Barrel House Bessie, the flame of Baltimore Town

Well the music was stopped, and everyone stared
As she looked at me, her glassy eyes glared
She held in her hand, a forty-four gun
I froze to the floor, unable to run
From Barrel House Bessie, my gal from Baltimore Town

Well, that's about all, of my little yarn
'Cause I'm full of slugs, from her shootin' iron
I'll be in a wheelchair, the rest of my life
But I'm taken care of, by my little wife
I mean Barrel House Bessie, my sweetie from old Baltimore

SOURCE:
JOHNNY BOND/TEN LITTLE BOTTLES
[AND OTHER TALL TALES AND SONGS FOR BOOZERS]
STARDAY SLP-333

Note. Johnny Bond, son of an Oklahoma rancher, had a truly
remarkable career as a singer, songwriter, and actor - having
built a devoted following from his long association with
Gene Autry on Gene's Melody Ranch On CBS Network.

Johnny appeared in over 50 motion pictures with such stars
as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, Tex Ritter,
Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck and many others.

Lyrics forwared to requestor-