Hillbilly 1922 – 1934

I went down in Georgia to the county fair.
The birds and the monkeys and the lions were there.
The loin broke loose and started through the crowd,
and I couldn't help to holler out loud.
I felt runnish. Tore my britches, on a barbwire fence.

I went down in Florida to get rich quick.
I bought me a lot and a load of brick.
I got scared of the snakes and the alligators,
so I decided to come back later.
I don't like snakes. I'd rather die poor. Live a long time.

I took me a wife about five years ago.
We got one kid, he's about four.
He gets at the table and he slaps his Mah,
he rubs 'lasses in my hair and says 'Aint ye my Pah'.
Runs string beans up my nose. Sticks potatoes in my hair. Rubs mustard in my eyes.

Momma's in the pantry preparing the yeast.
Sister in the kitchen a fix'n for the feast.
Pappa's in the cellar a mix'n up the hops
Bother's at the window a watch'n for the cops.
Drink'n home brew. It makes you drunk. If you don't bust.

Up in the mountain at a liquor still.
Back in the mountain in the blue ridge hill.
I like the still and I likes its juice,
but I don't like the cops who cut it to sluice.
I jumped fearless. Run over speed cars. Dodge canon balls.

Stand'n in the corner by the white folks yard.
Up in the corner by a bucket of lard.
I greased my feet a little hog-eye lard,
went slipp'n up and down the white folks yard.
A hunt'n the cook. She gives me 'lasses, clabber and cornbread.

There aint no use in me work'n so much.
I got a gal that brings in the mush.
She works for the white folks down in Caroline.
She brings me everything from molasses to wine,
a home brew, chitlin, corn whiskey.

I went possum hunt'n the other night.
It is awful dark and I lost my light.
The dogs chased something way down in the flat,
we thought it was a possum, must have been a cat.
I lost my job. My wife run me off. Had to bury my clothes.

There aint no use my work'n so hard.
I got a gal in the white folks yard.
When she kills a turkey, she saves me the wing,
she thinks I'm a work'n but I aint doing a thing.
A rove'n the streets. Have'n a good time. Look'n at the Flappers.

Part 1

[Verse 1]
A group of jolly cowboys
On the franklin range one night
Their heads up on a saddle
And a campfire burning bright
Some were telling stories
And some were singing songs
And some were smoking cigarettes
While the hours rolled along

[Verse 2]
At once they began their talking
Of distant friends, so dear
A boy raised his head from his saddle
And brushed away a tear
This boy was tall and handsome
And his face showed a lack of good care
His eyes were all but heavenly blue, and he had light wavy hair

[Verse 3]
We asked him why he left his home
It being so dear to him
He raised his head from his saddle
With tears his eyes grew dim
As he raised his head from his saddle
And he gazed right over the horn
Said "Boys I tell you the reason why
I stay at home no more"

Part 2

[Verse 1]
I fell in love with the neighbor's girl
Her cheeks was fair and white
Another fellow loved this girl
And it ended in a fight
This fellow's name was Tommy Smith
And we had been great chums
We shared each others troubles
We shared each others bond

[Verse 2]
It almost makes me shudder
To think of that sad night
When Tom and I was quarrelling
I stabbed him with my knife
I fell on my knees beside him
And tried to stop the blood
That flowed down so gently
It was like crimson flood

[Verse 3]
I can almost hear Tommy's voice
As the boys all gathered around
Saying "Bob ol' boy you'll remember when I am under the ground"
Now boys you know the reason why
That I am compelled to roam
And why I am so far away from dear old home sweet home