Stay in the Wagon Yard

Stay in the Wagon Yard

Authorship unknown (possibly traditional), originated 1920s or earlier.


Oh, I’m a jolly farmer, last night I came to town
To bring a bale of cotton I’d worked the whole year round.
Put my team in the wagon yard and got me a bottle of gin,
And went out to see the ‘lectric lights and to watch the cars come in.

I met a dude out on the street, the clock was strikin’ nine.
He said, “Come on old hayseed, and have a drink, it’s mine.”
I must have bought a dozen drinks, it hit my pocketbook hard;
I wish I’d bought a half-pint and stayed in the wagon yard.

Now listen to me farmers, I’m here to talk with sense.
If you want to see them ‘lectric lights, just look right over the fence.
Don’t monkey with them city ducks, you’ll find they’re slick as lard;
Just go get a half-pint and stay in the wagon yard.

I’m a deacon in a hard shell church down near Possum Trot;
If the sisters hear about my spree, it’s bound to make ’em hot.
I went out on a party, and led the pace that kills.
When I woke up the gang was gone, and had left me all the bills.

I found them on the corner near a soul salvation hall;
That drunken bunch was out there singin’ ‘Jesus Paid it All’.
They threw me out in a dry good box, Lord my pillow was hard.
I wish I’d bought a half-pint and stayed in the wagon yard.

Now listen to me farmers, I’m here to talk with sense.
If you want to see them ‘lectric lights, just look right over the fence.
Now, when you farmers come to town, just stay with your pard’,
Go home and tell the sisters you stayed in the wagon yard.


Collected from Victor V-40008, as sung by “Peg” Moreland, recorded July 5, 1928.