YouTube doesn't have the recording by the Greenbrier Boys, but it does have this one. I have marked the differences in boldface; I believe a couple of these make more sense than the Greenbrier Boys' version. Also note the verses are in a different order, and a different verse is repeated. I have also changed spelling in a few places to reflect the dialect pronunciation, but I have not put these in boldface.


ROSIE'S GONE AGAIN
Written by Jim Fullen
As recorded by Jimmie John with the Pleasant Valley Boys, 1957.

[Snore, whistle]

[Spoken:] Hey, ya better call the sheriff, Pa, fer, fer Rosie's gone again.

[Banjo pickup]

[1] Pa, a great big Cadillac just pulled up in the lane.
Rosie dove out the winder, an' ran right th'ough the rain.
Oh, she was actin' goofy; she wore a nasty grin.
Ya better call the sheriff, Pa, fer Rosie's gone again.

[Spoken:] "Again?" "Again!"

[2] Ya better call the sheriff, Pa; you know she ain't just right,
Fer she was a-tellin' Ma, Pa, a differ'nt one each night.
Don't know where she meets 'em all, but she's a man's best friend.
Ya better call the sheriff, Pa, fer Rosie's gone again.

[Break: banjo, fiddle, guitar]

[3] She ne'er washed dishes, Pa; she'd throw 'em in the sink.
She ne'er went to milk the cows; what will the neighbors think?
She don't mind about us, Pa, fer all she thinks is men.
Ya better call the sheriff, Pa, fer Rosie's gone again.

[Spoken:] "Again?" "Again!"

[4] Ya better call the sheriff, Pa; you know she loved to smooch.
Well, a man just ain't safe, Pa, when Rosie's on the loose.
Wants to marry, settle down; ya better get 'er in.
Ya better call the sheriff, Pa, fer Rosie's gone again.

[Break: mandolin, guitar, fiddle, banjo]

[5] She was wearin' lipstick, Pa, an' rouge upon 'er face.
She looked just like Mule's barn, Pa, with none to right 'er face(?).
I'm a-feared to tell the folks we 'un's sisters by kin.*
Ya better call the sheriff, Pa, 'cause Rosie's gone again.

[Repeat verse 2.]

[Spoken:] "Oh, no, not again?" "Yeah, Rosie's gone again."

[Banjo tag ending.]


[* This line is sung by a female voice.]