OLD SHOES AND LEGGINGS
As recorded by Lawrence Older on "Adirondack Songs, Ballads, and Fiddle Tunes" (1963)

A man who was old come courtin' one day.
    All three girls wouldn't have him.
He come down the lane on a walkin' cane,
    With his old shoes on and his leggin's.

Mother told me to hang up his hat.
    All three girls wouldn't have him.
I hung up his hat and he kicked at the cat,
    With his old shoes on and his leggin's.

[Similarly:]
Mother told me to give him some meat.
I gave him some meat an' oh how he did eat!

Mother told me to show him the saw.
I showed him the saw and he danced "Rye Straw."

Mother told me to put him to bed.
I put him to bed and he stood on his head.

Mother told me to send him away.
I sent him away and he left us to stay.


[Tom & Ben Paley sing these additional verses on "Paley & Son" (2015):]


My mother she told me to give him a chair
I give him a chair and he looked mighty quare.

My mother she told me to give him the hoe.
I give him the hoe and he jumped Jim Crow.

My mother she told me to tell him a joke.
I told him a joke and he laughed till he croaked.