Cat. #0233 (MFH #468) - As sung by Mr. Arlie Lynch, Rogers, Arkansas on August 13, 1958
VERSE 1
O, my Grandmother she, at the age of eighty-three
One day, in May, was taken ill and died
And after she was dead, th will of course was read
By a lawyer, as we all stood by his side
VERSE 2
To my brother, it was found, she had left a hundred pound
The same unto my sister, I declare
But, when it came to me, th lawyer said, I see
She has left to you her old armchair
VERSE 3
O, I thought it hardly fair, still I said, I did'nt care
And in th evening took th chair away
My neighbors at me chaffed, my brother at me laughed
And said, it will be useful John, some day
VERSE 4
When you settle down in life, take some girl to be your wife
You will find it very handy, I declare
On a cool 'n frosty night, when th fire is burning bright
To be seated in your old armchair
VERSE 5
What my brother said was true, for in a year or two
Strange to say, I settled down in married life
I first a girl did court and then th ring I bought
Took her to church and then she was my wife
VERSE 6
O, th dear ole girl and me, was as happy as could be
When evening work was over, I declare
I n'er abroad would roam, but each night stayed at home
And be seated in my old armchair
VERSE 7
One night th chair fell down, when I picked it up I found
Th seat had fellen out upon th floor
And there to my surprise, I saw before my eyes
A lot of notes, ten thousand pounds or more
VERSE 8
When my brother heard of this, poor fella, I confess
Almost went mad with rage and tore his hair
I only laughed at him and kindly whispered, Jim
Don't you wish you had the old armchair