Here's what I have put together from my research and my memory of my grandfather playing and singing this song to my siblings and myself when we were kids. We also sang, danced and laughed to this song as many of you have shared in your internet posts. Grandpa was born in Wales in 1869 and emigrated to the US about 1891 from the coal mining regions of Southern Wales. He made a living by his musical talents during those early years. Not sure whether he brought this song with him or picked it up here in the US. Since taking up the ukulele, I have put cords to the lyrics as I remember the melody from those fun days. Hope this adds something to people's searches.
Grandfather's Old Brown Pants
"Country Music Records: A Discography, 1921-1942"; Tony Russell and Bob Pinson. recorded by Frank Morris
The Southern Folklore Quarterly (no date given): Grandfather's Old Brown Pants
Video: "The Old American Barn Dance 1953 Episode 2" Cousin Alvin 2:40 into video
G7 C Am7 C D7
Oh, my grandfather, he, at the age of ninety three
C Am7 F G7 C F C
Got discussed and made up his mind to die.
G7 C Am7 F C D
Of course he left a will, and to my brother Bill
C F G7 C F C
left the old saw mill that in the town did lie.
G7 C Am7 F C D
And to my sister, Jane, he left a watch and chain,
C Am7 F G7 C F C
a house and lot he left to sister, Nance.
G7 C Am7 F C D7
But how it made me swear when the lawyer did declare:
Am7 F C F Am7 G7 C
that Grandfather left to me his old brown pants.
Refrain:
C C7 F F*
Oh, how they did giggle. How they did yell.
C Am7 D7 G7
Even my sisters and my dear Isabel.
C C7 F F*
How they did laugh when-e'er they had a chance,
Am7 F C F Am7 G7 C
Cause Grandfather left to me his old brown pants.
G7 C Am7 F C D7
One day my brother Bill went down to Grime's old mill
Am7 C F G7 C F C
Took his clothes off - in the river went to swim.
G7 C Am7 F C D
Along came a Billy Goat, chewed the buttons off his coat.
Am7 F G7 C F C
Ate up his pants ('twas summer they were thin!)
G7 C Am7 F C D
Now Bill was in a plight had to stay there all the night.
C F G7 C F C
I took his gal, Moriah, to the dance.
G7 C Am7 C D7
And as we passed him by, just to sympathize, said I,
Am7 C F G7 C
Don't you wish you had my old brown pants.
Refrain
G7 C Am7 F C D7
Now Bill and Moriah wed, and the boys and girls all said
Am7 F G7 C F C
Let's surprise them with an old rag carpet bee.
G7 C Am7 C D
Many colors were in demand, and the old pants came to hand
Am7 F G7 C F C
As they ripped and cut the jokes went 'round on me.
G7 C Am7 F C
My Isabel the waistband tore, something rolled out on the
D
floor.
Am7 F G7 C F C
"It's a thousand dollar bill", said sister Nance.
G7 C Am7 F C D7
Said sister Jane to Bill, "That wasn't in the will."
Am7 C F G7 C
Says I, Don't you wish you had the old brown pants?
Refrain
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