Delia was a gambling girl, gambled all around
Delia was a gambling girl, she laid her money down.


All the friends I ever had are gone.


Delia's dear ol' mother took a trip out West
When she returned, little Delia'd gone to rest.


All the friends I ever had are gone.

Delia's Daddy weeped, Delia's momma moaned

Wouldn't have been so bad if the poor girl died at home.

All the friends I ever had are gone.


Curtis's looking high, Curtis's looking low
He shot poor Delia down with a cruel forty-four.


All the friends I ever had are gone.


High upon the housetops, high as I can see
Looking for them rounders, looking out for me.


All the friends I ever had are gone.

Men in Atlanta, trying to pass for white

Delia's in the graveyard, boys, six feet out of sight.

All the friends I ever had are gone.


Judge says to Curtis, "What's this noise about ?"
"All about them rounders, Judge, tryin' to cut me out."


All the friends I ever had are gone.
Curtis said to the judge "What might be my fine ?"

Judge says, "Poor boy, you got ninety-nine."

All the friends I ever had are gone.

Curtis' in the jailhouse, drinking from an old tin cup
Delia's in the graveyard, she ain't gettin' up.


All the friends I ever had are gone.

Delia, oh Delia, how can it be ?

You loved all them rounders, never did love me.

All the friends I ever had are gone.


Delia, oh Delia, how could it be ?
You wanted all them rounders, never had time for me.


All the friends I ever had are gone.