I was
up in the Klondike
a -diggin' for gold,
a -bravin' the storms in shiverin' cold
When I stepped in a bar to get myself warm,
not thinkin' nothin' about
feminine charm
When I heard a piano
a -playin' the honky -tonk blues
Well, I gandered around to have me a look
And right there she sat, just like in a book
Her hair was all red and so was her lips
She was covered with diamonds
from shoulders to hips
It was Beryl House Bessie,
my gal from Baltimore town
When I nodded hello,
she just rolled her eyes
And pounded the keys,
then winked at some guys
So I wandered across to
where she was sittin'
I says, I know you,
cause I ain't forgettin'
You were Beryl House
Bessie, my gal from Baltimore
town
Well, she kept right on playing,
but soon she looked up,
she picked up her glass,
and took a wee sup,
an d says,
yes, I'm the gal you jilted before,
I followed you here to
settle the score.
Yes, I'm Barrelhouse Bessie,
the flame of Baltimore town.
Now the music was stopped
and everyone stared
as she looked at me.
Her glassy eyes glared.
She held in her hand a .44 gun.
I froze to the floor, unable to run.
From Beryl House, Bessie,
my gal from Baltimore town
Well, that's about all of my little yarn
Cause I'm full of slugs
from her shootin' iron
I'll be in a wheelchair the rest of my life
But I'm taken care of by my little wife
I mean Beryl House, Bessie,
my sweetie from old Baltimore you