Similar to version D, above, but variations widespread.

Lyr. Add: ROOT, HOG OR DIE (Kansas)
Newpaper clipping, Hendren Collection 488

1
I left old Indiana in the year of eighty-two,
And when I got to Kansas I was feeling rather blue;
I hadn't a cent of money a meal's victuals to buy,
The only thing for me to do was root, hog or die.
2
My kinfolks all asked me and begged me not to roam
And wander into Kansas so far away from home;
I think of what my sister said when she bade goodby,
When I left old Indiana to root, hog or die.
3
I went out in the country and went to making hay,
The wages that I got was a dollar and a half a day;
Had cold supper every night, but there was no use to cry,
The only thing for me to do was root, hog or die.
4
I went to Kansas City and stayed a day or two,
'Twas there I met some strangers, who helped to put me through;
'Twas a nice game of poker, they handled the cards so shy,
They soon got all my money and said, "Root, hog or die."
5
This made me very angry and I began to swear,
I swallowed down the corn juice till I got on a tear;
The marshall of the City, who happened to be standing by,He took me to the calaboose to root, hog or die.
6
They took me to the courtroom, next morning just at ten,
There sat the judge and a dozen other men;
They fined me twenty dollars, which I thought was very high,
But it was no use of kicking, it was root. hog or die.
7
Then just as I was beginning to repent,
My fine was twenty dollars and I didn't have a cent.
As good luck would have it, a friend was standing by
He paid that twenty dollars and said, "Root, hog or die."
8
Come all you jolly young fellows, pray take my advice,
Never play poker, or go shaking dice,
For if you do, you'll get too much old rye,
And they'll land you in the cooler to root, hog or die.

No date given for the clipping. The Hendren collection comprises seven volumes, Stella M. Hendren, Kooskia, Idaho.
Pp. 65-66, lyric only.

Austin & Alta Fife, 1970, "Ballads of the Great West," American West Publishing Co., Palo Alto, CA.