Papa's Billy Goat

Cat. #0718 (MFH #418) - As sung by Floyd McGinnis, Pea Ridge, Arkansas on May 20, 1969

VERSE 1
Papa, bought him a great big billy goat
Mamma, she washed most every day
She hung her clothes out on th line
Well, th dog-gone goat, he come that way

VERSE 2
He pulled down th red flannel shirt
You just ought'a heard them buttons crack
I'll get even with th son-of-a-gun
Tie him across that railroad track

VERSE 3
Well, I tied him 'cross th railroad track
An' th train was a com'n as a powerful rate
He belched up that ole red shirt
And he flagged down that dog-gone train

VERSE 4
Well, I went to th depot, I bought me a ticket
N' I walked right in an' I sot right down
Stuck th ticket in th brim o' my hat
An' th dog-gone wind blowed out on th ground

VERSE 5
Big conductor come around, he said, give me your ticket
I'd have t' pay again or be left on th track
I'll get even with that son-of-a-gun
I got a round-trip ticket but I'm not com'n back

VERSE 6
I had an ole hen an' she had a wood'n leg
Th best dern hen that ever layed an egg
She laid more eggs than any hen 'round th barn
An' another little drink wouldn't do me any harm

Variants