Delia

Delia was a gambling girl, gambled all around,

Delia was a gambling girl, she laid her money down.

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Delia's dear mother took a trip out West.

When she returned, little Delia had gone to rest.

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Delia's daddy weeped, Delia's mama moaned,

Wouldn't've been so bad if the poor girl died at home.

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Curtis looking high, Curtis looking low,

He shot poor Delia down with a cruel .44¹.

All the friends I ever had are gone.

High up on the housetops, high as I can see,

Looking for them rounders looking out for me.

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Men in Atlanta trying to pass for white,

Delia's in the graveyard, boys, six feet outta sight.

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Judge says to Curtis, "What's this noise about?"

"All about them rounders, judge, trying to cut me out."

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Curtis said to the judge, "What might be my fine?"

Judge says, "Poor boy, you got ninety-nine."

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Curtis in the jailhouse drinking from an old tin cup,

Delia's in the graveyard, she might never, never get up.

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Delia, oh, Delia, how can it be?

You loved all them rounders, never did love me.

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Delia, oh, Delia, how can it be?

You wanted all them rounders, never had time for me.

All the friends I ever had are gone.

¹ Pronounced "forty-four".