ROOT, HOG, OR DIE B
As sung by Ordway's Aeolians, Minstrels, c. 1856

[1] I'm right from old Virginny wid my pocket full ob news
I'm worth twenty shillings right square in my shoes
It doesent make a dif of bitterness to neider you nor I
Big pig or little pig, Root, hog, or die.

CHORUS: I'm chief cook and bottle washer, cap'n ob de waiters
I stand upon my head when I peel de Apple dumplins.

[2] I'se de happiest darkee on de top ob de earth
I get fat as possom in de time ob de dearth
Like a pig in a tater patch dar let me lie
Way down in old Virginny whar its Root, hog, or die.

[3] De Boston dandies dey look so very grand
Old clothes hand me down gloves upon de hand
High heel boots moustaches round de eye
A perfect sick family ob Root, hog, or die.

[4] De Boston gals dey do beat dem all
Dey wear high heel shoes for to make demself's tall
If dey don't hab dem de Lor how dey'l cry
De boys hab got to get dem or else Root, hog, or die.

[5] De Shanghie coats dey're getting all de go
Whar de boys get dem I really dont know
But dey're bound to get dem if dey don't hang to high
Or else dey make de Tailors run Root hog or die.


Sheet music, Oliver Ditson, Boston. c. 1856.
The sheet music contains the text of another version.

[Sheet music may be seen at Baylor University.]