DELIA(TRADITIONAL)
(learned from Dave Ricker in 1956)
Tony shot his Delia, 'twas on a Christmas night.
Send for the doctor, the doctor come too late,
Now Delia cursed Tony, 'twas on a Saturday night,
The reason he shot Delia was because of that wicked curse,
First time Tony shot Delia, he shot her in the side,
They took her to the graveyard, and there they laid her down.
Rubber-tired carriage, double-seated hack,
I went down to the graveyard to look at Delia's face.
Delia, oh, my Delia, where've you been so long?
Now Delia's friend's in prison, drinkin' from a silver cup,
Jailer, jailer, Tony said, Oh, how can I sleep
**** (other verses)
Some give Delia a nickel, some give her a dime,
Sixty-four years in prison, Tony said, That ain't no time,
(from miriam berg's folksong collection)
The first time that he shot her, he hung his head and cried,
Delia's gone, one more round, Delia's gone, one more round,
Delia's gone, one more round, Delia's gone.
Send for the minister, send Delia to her fate,
Delia's gone, (etc.)
She cursed him such a wicked curse that he swore to take her life,
Delia's gone, (etc.)
If Tony hadn't shot Delia, she might have cursed him worse.
Delia's gone, (etc.)
The second time he shot her, she bowed her head and died.
Delia's gone, (etc.)
They took her to the graveyard, laid my Delia on the ground.
Delia's gone, (etc.)
Took Delia to the graveyard, and never brought her back.
Delia's gone, (etc.)
Delia, girl I love you, but I couldn't take your place,
Delia's gone, (etc.)
Everybody's talking 'bout Delia, poor Delia's dead and gone.
Delia's gone, (etc.)
Poor Delia's lyin' in her grave, tryin' her best to get up,
Delia's gone, (etc.)
When all around by bedside I hear my Delia's feet?
Delia's gone, (etc.)
The man that shot my Delia was ridin' on a wheel,
He rode that wheel so fast they tho't 'twas an automobile.
Delia's gone, (etc.)
But I didn't give her one red cent 'cause she's no gal of mine,
Delia's gone, (etc.)
My brother's in the big house doin' nine hundred ninety nine.
Delia's gone, (etc.)