The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #13830   Message #116035
Posted By: Sandy Paton
21-Sep-99 - 12:29 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Over There
Subject: Lyr Add: THE 'TATERS THEY GROW SMALL IN KANSAS^^
Fellow I knew in the wheat harvest at Larned, Kansas, back in 1945, sang a version of "The 'Taters They Grow Small in Kansas" that was quite similar to published versions that I've seen since. The first verse is used as a chorus.

THE 'TATERS THEY GROW SMALL IN KANSAS

Oh, the 'taters they grow small in Kansas,
The 'taters they grow small in Kansas.
Oh, the 'taters they grow small
And we dig 'em in the fall,
And we eat'em, tops and all,
In Kansas.

Oh, they bake a skunk pie in Kansas,
They bake a skunk pie in Kansas.
Oh, they bake a skunk pie,
And the crust is made of rye.
You gotta eat it or you'll die
In Kansas.

Oh, they chew tobacco thin in Kansas.
They chew tobacco thin in Kansas.
Oh, they chew tobacco thin,
And it dribbles down their chin,
And they lick it up again
In Kansas.

Oh, the people never wed in Kansas.
The people never wed in Kansas.
Oh, the people never wed,
Or so I've heard it said,
They just tumble into bed
In Kansas.

Lots of versions of this to be found in the various collections. (Try Randolph, Fife, etc.) But this is the way I first heard it, and it's the way I sing it yet.
Sandy ^^