Turkey In The Straw

Album: Folk Songs (1835)
Play Video
  • As I was a-gwine down the road,
    Tired team and a heavy load,
    Crack my whip and the leader sprung,
    l seys day-day to the wagon tongue.

    Turkey in the straw, turkey in the hay,
    Turkey in the straw, turkey in the hay
    Roll 'em up and twist 'em up a high tuckahaw
    And twist 'em up a tune called Turkey in the Straw.

    Went out to milk, and I didn't know how,
    I milked the goat instead of the cow.
    A monkey sittin' on a pile of straw,
    A-winkin' at his mother-in-law.

    Met Mr. Catfish comin' down stream.
    Says Mr. Catfish, "What does you mean?"
    Caught Mr. Catfish by the snout,
    And turned Mr. Catfish wrong side out.

    Came to a river and I couldn't get across,
    Paid five dollars for a blind old hoss;
    Wouldn't go ahead, nor he wouldn't stand still,
    So he went up and down like an old saw mill.

    As I came down the new cut road,
    Met Mr. Bullfrog, met Miss Toad
    And every time Miss Toad would sing,
    Old Bullfrog cut a pigeon wing.

    Oh I jumped in the seat and I gave a little yell
    The horses ran away, broke the wagon all to hell
    Sugar in the gourd and honey in the horn
    I never been so happy since the day I was born. Lyrics from a song in Public Domain

Comments: 1

  • Sjcuda from CaThe verse my dad taught me:

    Oh, there was an old hen
    And she had a wooden leg
    So we poured hot water
    Up and down her leg
    Oh, the little chicken cried
    And the little chicken begged
    And the little chicken laid
    A hard-boiled egg.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Loudon Wainwright III

Loudon Wainwright IIISongwriter Interviews

"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.