David Bromberg - Dehlia (Live) with Lyrics.wmv

The perfect blues song. A slow sad ballad which tells a story. You have to listen. Harp comes in at 3:48 and adds an even sadder note to the song. Gorgeous music. Lyrics by Blind Willie McTell and a story told so well by David Bromberg on his first album, "David Bromberg" released in 1972. The haunting harp and story David tells adds to this perfect mix. I know you will enjoy!
***For info on purchasing all cd's, tour dates & lots of good stuff be sure to check out Bromberg's site: www.davidbromberg.net/

Lyrics modified between the two versions. David sings most of them, but perhaps in a different order.

Delia was a gambling girl, she gambled all around.
Yes, she was a gambling girl, she would lay her money down.
She's all I've got, is gone.

Delia's dear old mother, she took a trip out West.
When she returned, little Delia had gone to rest.
She's all I've got, is gone.

Delia's mama weeped. Delia's daddy mourned.
It wouldn't have been so bad, good people, if the poor girl had died at home.
She's all I've got, is gone.

Curtis is looking high, and Curtis looking low.
He shot poor Delia down, good people, with a big bore forty four.
She's all I've got.

High up on the house tops, as high as I could see,
Looking for those rounders, who were looking out for me.
She's all I've got.

Now you can call out your rubber tired taxis and your double seated hacks,
They took poor Dehlia to the graveyard, well they failed to bring her back.
She's all I got, is gone.

Judge he said to Curtis, what's this noise about?
It's all about them rounders, they're trying to cut me out.
She's all I've got, is gone.

Curtis said to the judge, what may be my fine?
The judge says "Poor boy, you've got ninety nine."
She's all I've got, is gone.

Curtis is in the jailhouse, drinking from an old tin cup.
Delia's in the graveyard boy, she may not never get up.
She's all I've got. is gone.

COMMENTARY BY DAVID BROMBERG ABOUT THIS IS PROBABLY A JAIL HOUSE SONG BEING SUNG BY CURTIS. HE MENTIONS HE LEARNED THIS IS THE BLIND WILLIE MCTELL VERSION.

Delia, Delia, how could it be?
You loved all those rounders, you never really did love me.
She's all I've got.

Delia, Delia, how could it be?
You loved those rounders, but you never really did love me.
She's all I've got, is gone.

There are at least TWO versions of this song. Lyrics written by Blind Willie for one version and by Rev. Gary Davis for the second version. Johnny Cash sang Delia's Gone by Davis (the second version). I checked out some info and there was a Dehlia killed by a "Curtis" in 1901, but the girl was only 14 and she got into a fight with her young boyfriend. He shot her. If it is the same Dehlia, a lot of poetic license was taken. The other facts all fit...paragraphs and paragraphs of facts.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dehlia
• Dehlia's Gone
• Blind Willie McTell
• blues
• acoustic music
• acoustic blues
• guitar
• talking song
• story telling
• David Bromberg
• harp solo
• blues ballad
• true story
• love story
• sad song
• harmonica

[MarcBrewer]

Besides writing great songs of his own, Bromberg has always had excellent taste in covering and arranging classics by Luke Jordan and Willie Mcell or newer songs by Paul Siebel and Jerry Jeff Walker. A National Treasure.

[MyMoppet52]

@MarcBrewer Thank you so much for your comment! I totally agree and wish more people were aware of him. My daughter is knowledgeable ("sort of"after her remark) & said "Who's David Bromberg?". I didn't educate her enough. My bad. She knew his music, but not his name. He IS a National Treasure. Thanks for commenting. I do appreciate all comments so much, but especially those regarding several artists & Bromberg's one of those. (William Elliott Whitmore is another.Dif style tho) Moppet

[Mygrassisblue01]

one of my all time Bromberg favorites......great post !!!!

[MyMoppet52]

@Mygrassisblue01 I am so glad for your comment and so glad you found it in Ned's Jams...whoever Ned is! I love this song which you will see if you read many of these posts. I am almost breathless each & every time I hear it it is so beautiful. Thank you for commenting and for listening. I am always happy to meet a Bromberg fan! My best, Moppet

[rpike333]

Gotta be one of my favorite songs from this guy. thanks for posting.

[MyMoppet52]

@rpike333 Somehow I really messed up & didn't see this comment. Shame on me especially since it's about David Bromberg! Thank you for leaving your message. I appreciate each one & answer them all. (Usually). I adore this song. I love this song. I am addicted to this song. So glad it's a favorite of yours too! My best, Moppet

[MyMoppet52]

@lobizoon1 I'm so glad you found this. It took me a lot of one evening coming up with the lyrics. He didn't quite do the lyrics that are published that he "sings". I wanted it to be right...or as right as I could make it when I was getting bleary eyed. I've got a Bromberg (and Arlo) Playlist with a lot of stuff that's not mine. I also have a lot that I have uploaded. Thank you for commenting. It is appreciated greatly...and yes, I DO love music. My best to you, Moppet (Barbara)

[lobizoon1]

Only a real music lover could have posted this. Excellent data, also. Thanks for the lyrics as well, been looking for this version for a looong time!

Keep it up!

[MyMoppet52]

@mybeautifullwickedne It is so beautiful. I like it very much. It does stand the test of time. It might be my favorite of his songs...I'm not quite sure. I love Sugaree and St. James Infirmary. Talk about a wide variety! This song is perfect...words, guitar, and his voice. Thanks so much for commenting. So many don't take the time & I appreciate it greatly. My best to you. It's always nice to meet a fellow Bromberg fan. Moppet (Barbara)

[mybeautifullwickedne]

my favorite version and bromberg song. heard it 1st in 76. stands the test of time

[MyMoppet52]

@peterpterodactyl So glad to meet a fellow 'long term' fan! I've loved him since the early 70's also. I like your icon. I might need to change mine! Dehlia is a beautiful, beautiful song. Thank you for stopping by and please come visit and explore anytime! I try to keep adding more Bromberg as I find more of my 'stuff' that's been packed for years. My best, Moppet (Barbara)