Transcription of the lyrics of "Tennessee Dog," as performed by Jimmie Strothers and recorded May 31, 1936, by Alan Lomax and Harold Spivacke. This transcription is from the liner notes of the LP record "Virginia Traditions: Non-Blues Secular Black Traditions" (Blue Ridge Institute BRI-001, 1978).

1. Anybody here want to buy a little dog?
Come right here I'll sell you.
Ain't no catfish, ain't no hog,
And I'm right here to tell you.

That dog, that Tennessee dog,
Oh, his head is long, his ears is flat,
He never stops eating till he balls that jack.
That dog, talking about that dog,
He's the meanest dog that come from Tennessee.

2. Now he can eat more meat than any butcher dog.
Eats beefsteaks, pork chop, and liver.
He catch more rats than any other cat,
On this side of Mississippi River.

That dog, that dog, that talking about that dog. (What about him?)
Oh, his head is long, his ears is flat,
He never stops eating till he balls that jack.
That dog (Lay down there, pup), that mean little dog (I tell you to lay down.)
He's the meanest dog that come from Tennessee.

3. Now does anybody here want to buy a little dog?
I'm right here to sell you.
Ain't no catfish, ain't no hog,
And I'm right here to tell you.

That dog, talking about that dog,
Oh, his head is long, his ears is flat,
He never stops eating till he balls that jack.
That dog (Lay down there I tell you), mean old dog,
He's the meanest dog that come from Tennessee.

4. I say come to me Tab,
He balls right up and shivers.
He catch more rats than any cat
On this side of the Mississippi River.

That dog, that dog, that dog, that mean little dog.
Oh yeah, his head is long, his ears is flat,
He never stops eating till he balls that jack.
That dog, talking about that dog,
He's the meanest dog that come from Tennessee.
    I mean....