Sleepy-Eyed John

Well, a way down yonder on the Candy Creek

I whittled out a fiddle from a wagon seat

I tuned my fiddle and I rubbed my bow

Play a little tune wherever I go

Sleepy-eyed John, you better your britches on

Sleepy-eyed John, you better tie your shoe

Sleepy-eyed John, you better get your britches on

Try to get to heaven 'fore the devil gets to you

Well, sleepy-eyed John he stole a goose

The goose she clucked but she couldn't get loose

Said John to the goose, "If you don't be still

Well miss our supper down in Candy ville"

Sleepy-eyed John, you better your britches on

Sleepy-eyed John, you better tie your shoe

Sleepy-eyed John, you better get your britches on

Try to get to heaven 'fore the devil gets to you

Well sleepy-eyed John he had a wooden leg

The wooden leg was nothing but a little wooden peg

With one shoe off and one shoe on

He'll do the double shuffle 'till the cows come home

Sleepy-eyed John, you better your britches on

Sleepy-eyed John, you better tie your shoe

Sleepy-eyed John, you better get your britches on

Try to get to heaven 'fore the devil gets to you

Now I got twenty dollars for to build a fence

I took my money and I ain't worked since

Sold my buggy and I sold my plow

I wouldn't take a dollar for my journey now

Sleepy-eyed John, you better your britches on

Sleepy-eyed John, you better tie your shoe

Sleepy-eyed John, you better get your britches on

Try to get to heaven 'fore the devil gets to you

Well over the hickory and down the pine

The raccoon left and the old hound whined

John said, "Sic 'em" and the raccoon left

They crossed Green River in a minute and a half

Sleepy-eyed John, you better your britches on

Sleepy-eyed John, you better tie your shoe

Sleepy-eyed John, you better get your britches on

Try to get to heaven 'fore the devil gets to you