Add - no "moo" in this one, but I'll bet it's a version of what you want.

Old Bell Cow

Went down to the cornfield to pick a mess of beans,
Along come the bell cow a-pecking at the greens.

CHORUS:
Oh, the bell cow, catch her by the tail,
Oh, the bell cow, milk her in the pail,
Oh, the bell cow, catch her by the tail,
Oh, the bell cow, milk her in the pail.

Some of these days when I learn how,
I'm gonna milk that old bell cow.
(Chorus)

The milk ain't whipped and the butter ain't fat,
The darned old cow ate my best hat.
(Chorus)

The old bell cow, I milked her in a gourd,
I sold my milk and bought me a Ford.
(Chorus)

Way down yonder in Arkansas,
The bell cow whipped her mammy-inlaw.
(Chorus)

Some of these days when I learn how,
I'm gonna milk that old bell cow.
(Chorus)


from Old-Time String Band Songbook (Cohen/Seeger/Wood, Oak Publications, 1964 & 1976)
[originally published as the New Lost City Ramblers Songbook]

MIDI tune available on request

---

Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry on htis song:

Old Bell Cow

DESCRIPTION: Humorous description of a cow that's difficult to milk: "Went down to the cornfield to pick a mess of beans, Along come the bell cow a-pecking at the greens." "Some of these days when I learn how, I'm gonna milk that old bell cow."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1929 (recording, Dixie Crackers)
KEYWORDS: farming work humorous animal
FOUND IN: US(SE)
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Cohen/Seeger/Wood, pp. 110-111, "Old Bell Cow" (1 text, 1 tune)
RECORDINGS:
Dixie Crackers, "The Old Bell Cow" (Paramount 3151, 1929; on CrowTold01)
New Lost City Ramblers, "The Old Bell Cow" (on NLCR10) (NLCR16)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
The Bell Cow
Notes: It has long been a custom to tie a bell around a cow's neck so she can be found easily. - PJS
File: CSW110

---

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Instructions

The Ballad Index Copyright 2006 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.