CHICKEN ROOST BLUES
As recorded by Cliff Carlisle, 1934.

Late last night I went down to get me a chicken or two.
When I heard the old shotgun, I sure did skiddoo.
Grabbed my sack and I made for the door but I didn't get away in time.
As I went around the corner of the barn, boy, I sure got mine.
[Yodel] The chicken roost blues.

The guy that shot at me last night must 'a' been a hard-boiled old squirt,
For when the buckshot hit the seat o' my pants, boy, they sure did hurt!
When I got home, I went to bed, but I couldn't sleep at all.
For ev'ry time I would close my eyes, I could hear that rooster squall.
[Yodel] The rooster squall.

I got up; I was sittin' by the fire, and I heard someone outside.
They come in the gate and up on the porch; I like to jumped out o' my hide.
The sheriff come up and he knocked on the door 'long about half-past two.
I said: "Mister Sheriff, what do you want?" He says: "I've come for you.
[Yodel] I've come for you."

Grabbed my pants; I jumped out the window, and I started off to run.
'Bout that time, he grabbed me by the collar, said: "I've got you, son of a gun."
Here in the jail for ninety days and it's home sweet home to me.
I'll get me another sack o' chickens the day that I get free.
[Yodel] The jailhouse blues.