The Dead played this a couple of times in 1970, but no tapes circulate. The Leadbelly version goes like this.
Lyrics By
Leadbelly
Music By
Leadbelly
Lyrics
Oh Roberta, where you been so long
Oh Roberta, where you been so long
I ain't had no loving since you've been gone
Oh Roberta, sit down on my knee
Oh Roberta, sit down on my knee
I got a lot to tell you that's been worrying me
Way up the river, far as I can see
Way up the river, far as I can see
I thought I spied my old time used to be
And it was not nothing, honey but the side of a tree
Well I'm down on the river, sitting on the ground
Well I'm down on the river, sitting on the ground
Gonna stay right here Lord, until Roberta come down
Roberta, Roberta, where you been so long
Roberta, Roberta, where you been so long
Cross country, with my [?long cold lawn]