Here are the lyrics to "I'LL RISE WHEN THE ROOSTER CROWS", as recorded by the Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers on the CD "Nashville: the Early String Bands Vol. I", County CD-3521. The song was recorded 10/2/1928.

1. If the golden shoes you hear so much about
Was worn down here, you'd soon wear 'em out.
We're gonna take up 'em yonder for to put on our robes.
Gonna put on my golden shoes.

CHORUS: I'll rise when the rooster crows.
I'll rise when the rooster crows.
I'm going back south where the sun shines hot,
Oh, down where the sugar cane grows.

2. Don't let old Satan try to fool you,
For the gates'll be closed and you can't get through.
With a long white robe and the white socks too,
Gonna put on my golden shoes.

3. When Gabriel comes for to blow his horn,
Well, you needn't pull back for you gotta go on,
So prepare yourself for the judgment day,
For you can't take money and buy your way.

4. We'll have cider all the fall,
For I said I's going to the ball,
Where the duck chews tobacco and the goose drinks wine,
The old hen cackle while the rooster keeps the time.

5. Whatcha gonna do when the women are all dead?
Gonna sit in the corner with a hung-down head.
Well, if I had to marry, I wouldn't marry for riches.
I'd marry a big fat gal who couldn't wear the britches.


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