Parchman Farm Captives: Berta, Berta

Berta, Berta

©2009 Parchman Farm Captives

Woe, Lord…
Berta…
Berta
Woe, Lord Gal
Well now:
Go ’head and marry, don’t cha
Wait on me
Well, now:
Go ’head and marry, don’t cha
Wait on me
Well, I:
Might not wont you when I
I go free
Woe, I:
Might not wont you when I
I go free
Well, now:
Woe, Alberta—Berta
Woe, Lord Gal
Woe, I:
O, Alberta—Berta
Woe, Lord Gal
Well, now:
Raise ’em up higher, let ’em
drop on down
Woe, I:
Raise ’em up higher, let ’em
drop on down
Well, now:
Can’t tell the difference when the
Sun go down
Woe, I:
Can’t tell the difference when the
Sun go down
Well, now:
O, Alberta—Berta
Woe, Lord Gal
Woe, I:
Woe, Alberta—Berta
Woe, Lord Gal
Well, now:
Wasn’t for the bushes and the
trees so tall
Well, now:
Wasn’t for the bushes and the
trees so tall
Well, now:
I’d call “Alberta” from the
wailing wall
Woe, I:
Call “Alberta” from the
wailing wall
Woe.
Woe, Alberta—Berta
O, Lord Gal
Woe, I.
Woe, Alberta—Berta
Woe, Lord Gal
Well, now:
When you marry, don’t marry a
farmin’ man
Woe, I:
Everyday, Monday, hoe-hammer high
in yo’ hand
Well, now:
When you marry, marry a
railroad man
Woe, I:
Everyday, Sunday dolla’
in yo’ hand
Well, now:
Woe, Alberta—Berta
Woe, Lord Gal
Woe, I.
Woe, Alberta—Berta
O, Lord Gal
Well, now:
I hold Alberta—a memory—
livin’ at ease
Well, now:
I’m on old Parchman
got-ta
Work all these
Woe, I:
Hold Alberta—a memory—
livin’ at ease
Well, now:
40-mo’ acres cryin’
to the tall trees
Woe.
Woe, Alberta—Berta
O, Lord Gal
Woe, I.
Woe, Alberta—Berta
O, Lord Gal
Woe, I…

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