The Prodigal Son

Cat. #0173 (MFH #501) - As sung by Mr. Fred Smith, Bentonville, Arkansas on June 23, 1958

VERSE 1
The oldest son was a goodly man
He was, he was
He built on the moody and sanky plan
He did, he did
With a common sanctimontis face
He talked about and undying grace
And hoped for a seat in that heavenly place
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la

VERSE 2
The youngest son was a son-of-a-gun
He was, he was
He shuffled th cards and he played for mon
He did, he did
He wore a red tie an' a high standing collar
Go out with th boys, get drunk and then holler
O, he's a regular jim-dandy-loller
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la

VERSE 3
The old man tried to do his best
He did, he did
The prod took his share and he went out West
He did, he did
Fell in with some cowboys and had a big time
Woke up in th morning with n'er a dime
Stranded way off ina foreign clime
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la

VERSE 4
A telegraph man in his office sent
Out West, out West
Went in and registered without any hat
Or coat 'er vest
He says, send this message right over the track
The prod is wrecked and is coming back
Have plenty of veal for one on th racks
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la

VERSE 5
Th answer he got was both short and direct
It was, it was
It said, your received go to thunder, collect
It did, it did
But th prod was quite used to these knock downs of fate
So, he pawned his suspenders and put on a skate
And started for home on a limited freight
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la

VERSE 6
To a lawyers office he went next day
He did, he did
And sued th old folks for his pay, while away
He did, he did
Got out an injunction and turned them both out
O, repeal the law, you'll hear me shout
That's the kind of a prod I'm singing about
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la

VERSE 7
That's all there are yours truely knows
It is, it is
I went as far as th parable goes
I have, I have
I never heard what became of Pa
Th religious brother, tending bar
And the prod, I believe, is driving a car
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la
Sing, tra-la-la-la-la-la-la