I Had But 50 Cents

Well I took my girl to the fancy ball it was a social hop

Stayed until the folks went home, till all the music stopped

Then to a restaurant we went the best one on the street

She said she wasn’t hungry but this is what she eat

A dozen raw, a plate of slaw, a chicken and a roast

Parsnips and some apple sauce with soft shell crabs on toast

An oyster stew some crackers too her appetite was immense

When she called for pie I thought I’d die for I had but fifty cents

She said she wasn’t hungry she didn’t come to eat

I’d bet my only trousers that she could not be beat

She took it in so cozy she had an awful tank

She said she wasn’t thirsty but this is what she drank

A whiskey skin a glass of gin it made me shake with fear

Ginger pop with rum on top a schooner then a beer

A glass of ale, a gin cocktail she should have had more sense

When she called for more I fell on the floor

For I had but fifty cents

You bet I wasn’t hungry, I didn’t care to eat

Expecting any moment, to be kicked out on the street

She said she’d bring her family in then we would have some fun

I gave the man the fifty cents and this is what he done

Well he tore my clothes he mashed my nose and he hit me more and more

He gave me a prize of two black eyes and with me swept the floor

He grabbed me where my clothes hung loose and he threw me over the fence

Take my advice don’t try it twice when you got but fifty cents