Misc Traditional – I Had But 50 Cents (Guitar)

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Note: This song has many variations of lyrics, but this is from the recording I have. The original is an anonymous poem that has been put to music. For a musical reference - this is closest to the band The Punters on their album Fisherman's Blues (but the lyrics are slightly different) [Verse 1]
A                                               D
I took my gal to a fancy ball, twas on a social hop.

                                                      A
We stayed until the lights went out, the music it did stop.

                                                        D
Then down to restaurant we went, twas the finest on the street.

                                E    D  C#   B   A
She said she wasn’t hungry but, this is what she eat:

A                                            D
A dozen raw, a plate of slaw, a fancy Boston roast,

                                                    A
a pot of stew and crackers too, a softshell crab on toast

                                                        D
and next she tried some oysters fried, her appetite was immense.

                                                    E   D   C#  B  A
When she cried for more, I fell on the floor, for I had but fif-ty cents.
[Verse 2]
A                                                     D
Then we went out, and walked about, a half an hour or so

                                                    A
and thinking she was thirsty, I thought we’d better go

                                                D
We went into a swell café of course I knew twas swank

                                 E    D  C#   B   A
She said she wasn’t thirsty, but this is what she drank.

A                                                D
Brandy and rum, a big hot drum, a schooner lager beer

                                                        A
Three whisky skins and a bottle of gin did quickly disappear.

                                                               D
With a bottle of ale and a gin cocktail she astonished all the gents

                                                     E   D   C#  B  A
When she called for more, I fell on the floor, for I had but fif-ty cents.
[Verse 3]
A                                                             D
To finish it up, this delicate girl, she licked the ice cream can

                                                           A
she said Oh George I’ll tell my Mom you’re such a nice big man

                                                        D
I’ll bring my sister along next time when we go out for fun.

                                           E    D  C#   B  A
When I handed the man, my fifty cents, why this is what he dun.

A                                                          D
He broke my nose he tore my clothes, he knocked from me my breath

                                                           A
He took the prize of two black eyes and clubbed me half to death

                                                                 D
By the seat of my pants, he made me dance, and threw me over the fence

                                             E    D   C#  B  A
Take my advice, don’t try it twice, when you have but fif-ty cents.