Ram Jam - — Black Betty

It also referred to the "paddy wagon" or transport vehicle that carried inmates to prison.

The song is actually a rock adaptation of an old African-American work song. Its history predates the 1970s by decades: Ram Jam - Black Betty

The legendary bluesman Lead Belly popularized his own version in 1939, which served as the primary blueprint for later rock versions. It also referred to the "paddy wagon" or

The track's energy has made it a favorite for movies and sports events, and it has been famously covered by other artists, including a speed-up version by the Australian band in 2004 that topped the charts in Australia. Ram Jam - Black Betty