“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)."

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

Recordings

  • Elizabeth Cotten, "Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie" (on Cotten01)

References

  1. Cohen/Seeger/Wood, p. 121, "Oh Babe, It Ain't No Lie" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. Silber-FSWB, p. 184, "Oh, Babe, It Ain't No Lie" (1 text)
  3. BI, CSW121

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1958 (recording, Elizabeth Cotten)
Found in: US(SE)