Two American versions from the Max Hunter Folk Song Collection, which also sheet music, midi files, and a sound files of the original field recordings.

I HAD BUT FIFTY CENTS
Cat. #0347 (MFH #274)
As sung by Mrs. Pearl Brewer in Pocahontas, Arkansas on May 27, 1959

I took my girl to a fancy ball
I thought we'd have some fun
I'll tell you guys, to my surprise
This is what she done
I took her into a cafetery
To give her a treat
She said, she wasn't hungry
But this is what she eat
A dozen raws, a plate of slaw
Chicken and some shrimp
She called for pie, I thought I'd die
For I had but fifty cents

VERSE 2
She stepped up to the fountain
Before that I could think
She said, she wasn't thirsty
But this is what she drank
A bottle of pop with rum on top
Coffee and some tea
Ginger ale, I sure looked pale
For this was killing me
She said, she'd bring her family around
And we would have some fun
I handed him the fifty cents
An' this is what he done
He mashed my nose, he tore my clothes
He rolled me in the floor
He give me the prize of two black eyes
An' kicked me out at the door
He took me where my clothes hung loose
An' threw me over the fence
Take my advice and don't buy twice
When you got but fifty cents

I HAD BUT FIFTY CENTS
Cat. #0687 (MFH #274) –
As sung by Max Hunter, Springfield, Missouri on February 9, 1969

VERSE 1
I took my girl to a dance one night
Was a social hop
We danced until the lights went out
An' the music had to stop
I took her to a restaurant
The finest in the state
She said she wasn't hungry
But this is what she ate
A dozen raw, a plate of slaw
A chicken and a roast
Some applesass, and aparagrass
Soft-shell crabs on toast
A box of stew, and cracker too
Her appetite was immense
When she asked for pie
I thought I'd die
For I had but fifty cents

VERSE 2
She said she wasn't hungry
And didn't care to eat
But I've got money in my clothes
To bet she can't be beat
She took it in so cozy
She had an awful tank
She said she wasn't thirsty
But this is what she drank
A whiskey skin, a glass of gin
Which made me shake with fear
A ginger pop, with rum on top
A schooner then of beer
A glass of ale, a gin cocktail
She should have had more sense
When she called for more
I fell on the floor
For I had fifty cents

VERSE 3
Of course I wasn't hungry
And didn't care to eat
Expecting every moment
To be kicked out in the street
She said she'd fetch her family 'round
Some night, an' we'd have fun
When I gave the man fifty cents
This is what he done
He tore my clothes
He smashed my nose
He hit me in the jaw
He gave me a prize
Of a two black eyes
And with me swept the floor
He took me o'er the fence
Take my advice,
Don't try it twice
If you've got but fifty cents