Hi, Jim and Q, deciphering this song was also annoying the hell out of me so I emailed Lyle Lofgren and asked if he would consult Uncle Willie's wordbooks. Uncle Willie [Willard Johnson] was an original member of Lyle's group which began in the 1960s as Uncle Willie and the Brandy Snifters. Uncle Willie was a master of deciphering the mutterings of old-time recording artists. Lyle kindly sent me Uncle Willie's transcription with which he agrees totally, as no doubt you will too. It is bloody amazing that once you know what it should be, you can hear it clearly! From the African-American songs, we should have guessed 'carve him to his heart'. I knew it wasn't 'on children' at the end of the verse lines, but I could have sworn it was 'carve, children, carve' at the end of the chorus. There you go. Have another listen with Uncle Willie's transcription in front of you and reckon that, like me, you will agree he was spot on:


CARVE THAT POSSUM

My dog treed, I went to see (carve him to his heart)
There was a possum up that tree (carve him to his heart)
And that possum began to grin (carve him to his heart)
I reached up and took him in (carve him to his heart)

Chorus A:
Oh, carve that possum,
Carve that possum, children,
Carve that possum, children,
Oh, carve him to his heart

Carried him home and dressed him off (carve him to his heart)
Hung him out that night to frost (carve him to his heart)
Well, the way to cook the possum sound (carve him to his heart)
Cook, fry, boil, and bake it brown (carve him to his heart)

Repeat Chorus A

Possum meat am good to eat (carve him to his heart.)
Always fat and good and sweet (carve him to his heart)
Sweet potatoes in the pan (carve him to his heart.)
Sweetest eating in the land (carve him to his heart.)

Chorus B:
Oh, carve that possum,
Carve that possum, children,
Carve that possum, children,
How? Carve him to his heart

Some eat early and some eat soon (carve him to his heart)
Some like possum and some like coon (carve him to his heart)
That possum's just the thing for me (carve him to his heart)
Old Rattler's got another'n up a tree (carve him to his heart)

Repeat Chorus B

Thanks to Lyle Lofgren,

--Stewie.