I disagree with Brian Hoskin's transcription of the Dave Macon recording. Here's what I hear, and what I plan to submit to the Rise Again songbook. Any corrections?

Grey Cat on A Tennessee Farm

Just look to the man who can if he will
Prosper in the valley of the Tennessee hills
Oh the big cat spit in the little kitten's eye
The little cat, little cat, don't you cry
Do love liquor & I will take a dram
I'm gonna tell you, pretty Polly Ann
D - / - AD etc.

Cattle in the pasture, hogs in the pen
Sheep on the ranch & a-wheat in the bin...

Corn in the crib & porter in the yard
Meat in the smokehouse & a big can of lard...

Fruit in the cellar & cheese on the board
A big sack of coffee & sugar in the gourd...

Horses in the stable & money in his pocket
A baby in the cradle & a pretty woman to rock it...

Recorded by Uncle Dave Macon, Liz Getz.

---

Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry on this song:

Gray Cat on the Tennessee Farm

DESCRIPTION: About life on a Tennessee farm. All the singer wants is a "baby in the cradle and a pretty girl to rock it," plus meat in the sack, sugar in the gourd, a tub of lard. Ch: "Big cat spit in the little kitten's eye/Little cat, little cat, don't you cry...."
AUTHOR: Uncle Dave Macon, more or less
EARLIEST DATE: 1927 (recording, Uncle Dave Macon)
LONG DESCRIPTION: Disjointed verses about life on a small farm in the Tennessee Hills. Singer says all he wants is a "baby in the cradle and a pretty girl to rock it," along with meat in the sack, sugar in the gourd, and a big tub of lard. Chorus: "Big cat spit in the little kitten's eye/Little cat, little cat, don't you cry/I do love liquor and I will take a dram/I'm gonna tell you, pretty Polly Ann"
KEYWORDS: farming drink nonballad baby family animal
FOUND IN: US(Ap)
RECORDINGS:
Uncle Dave Macon, "The Gray Cat on the Tennessee Farm" (Vocalion 5152, 1927)
New Lost City Ramblers, "Grey Cat on the Tennessee Farm" (on NLCR06)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "One Fine Day" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Mary, She Did Dream a Dream" (lyrics)
File: RcGCotTF

---

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Song List

Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Ballad Index Bibliography or Discography

The Ballad Index Copyright 2015 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.