Waring Cuney, "Once Bad Gal" (1928)
Ah was a good gal
Before Ah struck dis town,
Ah was a good, good gal
Before Ah struck dis town,
But men an' liquor
Drag you down.
A good, good gal
Just bad once,
Ah'm a good good gal
Just bad once---
When a handsome man
Made me his dunce.
Ah'd go straight if
Ah thought Ah could,
Say Ah'd go straight
If Ah thought Ah could,
But a once bad gal
Can't never be good.