The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #50640   Message #1333014
Posted By: Scoville
19-Nov-04 - 08:56 PM
Thread Name: Wild Boar: History, Lyrics & Discussion-Child #18
Subject: Lyr Add: WILD HOG IN THE WOODS
The Fuzzy Mountain String Band (forerunners of the Red Clay Ramblers) recorded a version in 1971; the CD is available through the Original Red Clay Ramblers website. I think it's in D minor, but I can't make out all of the words. However, I learned the version below from a friend from Iowa--I don't recall where he learned it--several years ago, and it uses the same tune:

There is a wild hog in these woods,
Diddle-um-day, diddle-um-day,
Is a wild hog in these woods,
Diddle-aye-um-day,
Is a wild hog in these woods,
Eats men's bones and sucks their blood,
Cut him down, cut him down, catch him if you can.

Bangum, will you hunting ride?
Diddle-um-day, diddle-um-day,
Bangum, will you hunting ride,
Diddle-aye-um-day,
Bangum, will you hunting ride,
Sword and pistol by your side,
Cut him down, cut him down, catch him if you can.

Bangum came to the wild hog's den,
Saw the bones of a thousand men,

Bangum drew his wooden knife,
Swore he'd take that wild hog's life,

Bangum heard a dreadful crash,
Wild hog came through the oak and ash,

Bangum drew his gun and sword,
Shot that wild hog as he charged,

Fought for hours in that way,
'Til that wild hog was slain,

Bangum, how well did you fare?
Didn't I live to tell the tale?

Bangum, did you win or lose?
Didn't I earn my belt and shoes?

Was a wild hog in these woods,
Ate men's bones and sucked their blood.