The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #16525   Message #2931433
Posted By: GUEST,Bob Coltman
20-Jun-10 - 09:23 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Mister Boll Weevil / Boll Weevil Song
Subject: Lyr Add: BOLL WEEVIL HOLLER (Vera Hall Ward)
My favorite, from Vera Hall Ward. Wish I could give the citation. Thought it was on one of the Negro Folk Music of Alabama Folkways LPs, recorded by Harold Courlander, but I can't find it to make sure. Anyway here it is.

If you could hear it (slow, mournful, different tune), you'd scarcely think it's related to the usual Boll Weevil song.

BOLL WEEVIL HOLLER
As sung by Vera Hall Ward

Hey hey boll weevil, where's yo' native home,
Way down the Bye-Lam'* among the cannin' corn.      [*Georgia]

Boll weevil here, boll weevil everywhere,
Doggone the boll weevil, he's sittin' on the square.

First time I seen a boll weevil, he's sittin' on the square,
Next time I seen him, he had his family there.

An' the farmer ast the merchan', for some meat an' meal,
Kain't up an' die, old man, boll weevil's in yo' field.

Boll weevil's in yo' field, boll weevil's in yo' field,
Ain't nothin' doin', man, boll weevil's in yo' field.

Hey hey, boll weevil, where's yo' native home?
Way down in the Bye-Lam, among the cannin' corn.