Lyr Add: Sleepy-Eyed John (Johnny Horton)

Subject: Lyr Add: SLEEPY-EYED JOHN (Johnny Horton)
From: Gene
Date: 29 May 98 - 04:40 PM

Here's Johnny Horton's version, as near as I can make out the words....

SLEEPY-EYED JOHN
As recorded by Johnny Horton

Well, way down yonder on caney creek
I whittled out a fiddle from a wagon seat
I tune my fiddle and I rosin my bow
Play a little tune wherever I go

CHORUS (after each verse)
Sleepy-eyed John, You better get your britches on
Sleepy-eyed John, Better tie your shoe
Sleepy-eyed John, You better get your britches on
Try to get to heaven 'fore the devil gets to you

Well, Sleepy-eyed John, he stole a goose
The goose he flopped but he couldn't get loose
Said John to the goose if you don't be still
(?) my supper down at Caneyville

Well, Sleepy-eyed John, He had a wooden leg
The little leg wasn't nothin' but a little wooden peg
One shoe off and one shoe on
He could do the double shuffle till the cows come home

Now, I got $20 for to build a fence
I took my money and I ain't worked since
Sold my buggy and I sold my plow
I wouldn't take a dollar for journey now.

Well, over the Hick'ry and down the pine
The raccoon left and the old hound behind
John says sic 'im and the raccoon left
They crossed Green River in a minute and a half

Subject: RE: ADD LYR: SLEEPY-EYED JOHN
From: rich r
Date: 29 May 98 - 06:19 PM

"Sleepy-Eyed John" appears on a recording by Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum (The Oak & The Laurel , Rounder 0340). They combine it with the fiddle tune Tom & Jerry.

They sing the line:

We'll miss our supper down at Caneyville.

Credit is given to Tex Atchison.

rich r