Lyr Req: Chicken Song / I Ain't Gonna Take It...

Subject: Lyr Req: I Ain't GonnaTake It Sittin' Down
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 12:01 AM

Properly titled: CHICKEN SONG, THE (I AIN`T GONNA TAKE IT SITTIN' DOWN); COMPOSERS - Terry Shand - Bob Merrill.

Various recordings, including one you can hear HERE. (On request page four, but see the text on the linked page.)

Not posted here as far as I could search, not in DT, and no Googly joy except links to purchase sheet music or recordings.

Awfu' cute song.

~Susan

Subject: Lyr Add: CHICKEN SONG (I AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT ...)
From: GUEST,Norval
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 03:48 AM

To: WYSIWYG
Lyrics as requested.
Note that Sittin' is Settin' 'cause that's what hens do with their eggs. A popular version of this song was done by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.


THE CHICKEN SONG (I AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT SETTIN' DOWN)
As sung by Ernest Tubb

INTRO: Cock-a-doodle-doo, bless our old hen.
She lays eggs the best she can,
Sometimes nine, and sometimes ten.
Cock-a-doodle-doo, bless our old hen.

1. Our old red hen was on her nest.
She tried to sleep, but couldn't rest.
The rooster came home baggy-eyed,
And our old hen stood up and cried:

CHORUS: "I ain't gonna take it settin' down!
I ain't gonna take it settin' down!
While I'm here hatchin' white and brown,
You're out scratchin' 'round the town,
And I ain't gonna take it settin' down!"

2. She said: "Don't say you've been alone.
Them ain't my feathers in your comb.
If you don't have an alibi,
You're gonna see some feathers fly.

3. "I heard it said, while on the loose,
You made the spots with Clara Goose.
From all reports of how it looked,
You tell that goose her goose is cooked." CHORUS

4. She said: "If I weren't such a stupe,
I'd have a mink-lined chicken coop.
Why, ev'rything I own's in hock.
I should 'a' wed that Plymouth Rock.

5. "You know one night when you were out,
I met a movie talent scout.
He loves my walk; he loves my cluck.
He's starrin me with Donald duck. CHORUS

6. You roosters out there, don't you laugh.
You just can't fool your better half.
You mark my words, you'll see the day
When your old hen will up and say:

FINAL CHORUS: "I ain't gonna take it settin' down!
I ain't gonna take it settin' down!
You needn't hang around and plead.
Stop handin' me that chicken feed.
I ain't gonna take it settin' down!"

TAG: Cock-a-doodle-doo, bless our old hen.


Words & Music by Terry Shand & Bob Merrill
copyright (1949) Leeds Music

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I Ain't GonnaTake It Sittin' Down
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 09:16 AM

Thanks! I have raised chickens, and you're right, they do SET, and SETTIN' would be the ogical title. But in the sheet music and all the versions I found for purchase, as well as at the Record Ladty site, it's listed as SITTIN'. Wish they'd known how to title it! :~)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chicken Song / I Ain't Gonna Take It...
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Dec 12 - 07:01 PM

sargelarbeta.   thanks for the lyrics i used to do this song in the 1960s   l. sargent   nebraska usa   god bless america

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chicken Song / I Ain't Gonna Take It...
From: GUEST,Lowell Ritchie, retired pastor
Date: 24 Sep 19 - 05:41 PM

Thanks for the lyrics, and names of the author and song-writer. I first heard this song on WSVA radio in late 40's / early 50's. We laughed, using words "settin'/sittin'" indiscriminantly, to mean either on a chair or on a nest! But: how appropriate are the lyrics to the 2019 political scene!
Who was first to sing it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Chicken Song / I Ain't Gonna Take It...
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 24 Sep 19 - 05:48 PM

Red Foley released a cut in 1951. Don't know if the song goes back earlier'n that.