ROWDY SOUL

Chorus:
I'm a rowdy soul, I'm a rowdy soul;
I don't care whether I work or not.
I'm a rowdy soul, I'm a rowdy soul,
I don't care whether I work or not.

I didn't plant no corn this year,
Didn't raise no beans or tomaters.
Ground's so poor that grass won't grow,
But DAMN! them Irish potaters, oh.

When I get my new house built,
Gonna build my chimney higher.
Don't want no mud-daubers hangin' around,
Puttin' out my fire, oh.

My capt'n got him a new blue coat;
Hung it in the hall.
I stole down my capt'n's coat
And wore it to the ball.

Took my gal to the fancy ball;
Didn't say nothin' about it.
I ain't one to raise a row,
But I'm hell when I get started, oh.

Where'd you get your whiskey, boy?
Where'd you get your dram?
Where'd you get your whiskey, boy?
Well, I got it from Lincoln an' Abraham!

Now, you can't do me like you done poor Shine.
You taken his money, but you can't take mine!
Ain't but one man that I fear;
That's Big Jack Johnson, and he ain't here!

Well, come here, dog, an' get your bone!
Tell me which shoulder you want it on.
A penny off and a penny on;
One more load and I'll be gone!
^^
Collated from the version sung by Dillon Bustin
with additional verses from Mary Wheeler's Steamboatin' Days.
Recorded on Folk-Legacy's New Harmony (cassette C-100) by Sandy Paton & friends.