Samuel Bayard suggests the rhyme sung to the melody by old‑time musicians is borrowed from an Irish air (song) called "The Britches On." "This (Bayard's 1944 set) is the best set of 'Leather Breeches' yet to turn up in western Pennsylvania. The tune is often accompanied by a rhyme that in Greene County (Pa.) tradition runs:
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Leather breeches full of stitches, Old shoes and stockings on‑‑ My wife she kicked me out of bed Because I had my breeches on.
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Bayard's source Mrs. Armstrong recalled only two lines: ***
Leather breeches, full of stitches, Mammy sewed the buttons on.
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Ford (1940) prints these words: ***
Leather Breeches full of stitches, Leather Breeches, Leather Breeches; Mammy cut 'em out an' M'daddy sewed an' sewed the stitches. (Ford)