Collected by Irene Carlisle
Transcribed by Mary C. Parler
Doney Hammontree
Bethel Grove, Arkansas
March 11, 1951
Reel 101, Item 6
The Good Old Farmer
Oh, I'm a good old farmer; last night I come to town;
I brung two bales of cotton; to make it took the whole year round
Oh, I put my team in the wagon yard and bought a bottle of gin;
Went out to see the electric lights and watch the train come in.
Now listen to me, neighbors;
Talin' now with sense;
If you want to see the electric light
You better look over the fence.
I met some fellows on the street, and the clock was strikin' nine
They hollered, "Hello, pardner; come have a drink of wine."
We took a dozen drinks or more, it hit my pocket hard;
And then I was so doggone drunk, couldn't find the wagon yard.
Now listen, etc.
I lost a ten at monte, another at chuckaluck;
They called me Hyseed Gilly, the tenderfooted duck.
Won't monkey with these city dudes, they are as slick as lard;
Wish I had my money back, and and had stayed in the wagon yard.
Now listen, etc.
I'm deacon in the Baptist Church dawn on Possum Trot,
And if the members find this out, for me they'll make it hot.
I slept last night in a mortar box; oh, gee, my pillow was hard;
I wish I'd a-bought a half a pint, and stayed in the wagon yard.
