Black Gal (I)

DESCRIPTION: "That old black gall keeps on a-hollering, Bout a new pair of shoes, buddy, bout a new pair of shoes." The singer gives her money, she comes back drunk. He hits her. She leaves (crying murder?). He visits her and is turned away; he ends up in prison
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1965 (recorded from J. B. Smith and Louis Houston by Jackson)
KEYWORDS: abuse separation punishment clothes money
FOUND IN: US(So)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Lomax-FolkSongsOfNorthAmerica 294, "Black Gal" (1 text, 1 tune, definitely composite and probably bowdlerized)
Jackson-WakeUpDeadMan, pp. 297-299, "Black Gal" (2 texts, 1 tune)
Roud #6714
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Heavy-Hipped Woman (Black Gal II)" (lyrics)
cf. "On My Way to Mexico" (lyrics)
NOTES [50 words]: Jackson notes links to several songs collected by the Lomaxes and others, probably including "Heavy-Hipped Woman (Black Gal II)." This song, however, has a distinct plot, which that one doesn't; I think they should be split -- though the possibility that this inspired that cannot be discounted. - RBW
Last updated in version 2.4
File: JDM297

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