Lyr Req: If Texas Told What Arkansas?

Subject: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From:
Date: 12 Feb 97 - 10:22 PM

I have been looking for the complete lyrics to:

IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS, WHAT DID TENNESSEE?
for several years. It may have been recorded by Lonzo & Oscar or Homer & Jethro.

This song is NOT THE SONG: DELAWARE. It apparently predates it - because I cannot recall any verse with ALASKA or HAWAII in it!

I recall the following verses and some other lines:

If MISSISSIPPI got NEW JERSEYs, what would DELAWARE?
If WYOMING started roaming, would MONTANA care?
Who knows the answer to this mystery?
If TEXAS told what ARKANSAS, what did TENNESSEE?

If there were no potatoes, tell me, what would IDAHO?
If KANSAS loaned NEW YORK a dollar, who would OHIO?
Who knows the answer to this mystery?
If TEXAS told what ARKANSAS, what did TENNESSEE?

If CAROLINA went to CHINA, where would GEORGIA stay?
If WASHING-is a TON, just how much does IOWA?
Who knows the answer to this mystery?
If TEXAS told what ARKANSAS, what did TENNESSEE?

If FLORIDA would plant the seed, would CONNECTICUT the grass?
Would MARYLAND a feller if she went to BOSTON, MASS?
Do you give up or would you like to try for 48?
How could MASSACHUSETTS with a broken upper plate?

A couple of single lines I can't connect are:

If you don't bother ALABAM', who would ILLINOIS?

If OKLA-ain't a-HOMA, Tell me where has OREGON?

---

See What did Delaware - Index of Threads

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From: Gene Graham
Date: 03 Apr 97 - 05:29 AM

Still looking for help on additional verses to this song also....

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From: Judy
Date: 03 Apr 97 - 12:51 PM

Sounds similar to lyrics that I've been trying to remember, but not quite the same. I think it was the late 50's or early 60's when I first (& last) heard this song.

Somewhere in the song is "What did Delaware, boys, what did Delaware? I think that was the first line of the song.

Other partial lines I remember: I went to pay my Taxes (not Texas)

What did Tennessee, boys, what did Tennessee? The same as Arkansas.

I don't know, Alaska (I'll ask her) - maybe this was the line after Delaware?

I called to say Hawaii.

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From: Gene Graham
Date: 06 Apr 97 - 11:26 PM

Thanks Judy, but as I said, this is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT song from the DELAWARE song....I clearly remember the verses I posted and also the tune to the song.. and also as I said, since it mentions 48 states in one verse and I do not recall any verse with ALASKA or HAWAII...I believe it pre-dates the DELAWARE..song..

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From:
Date: 12 Jun 97 - 01:39 AM

UPDATE: Thanks to the sleuthing or Ron. H - the writers and publisher is now known. IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS, THEN WHAT DID TENNESSEE? was written by Stan Freberg and Romello Fay!

Tho' several CD's of Stan Freberg material are available, none with that song has been found yet. It was probably a 78 or 45 single WAY BACK WHEN.

Thanks Ron and thanks to anyone else who can supply additional lyrics!

-Gene

Subject: Lyr Add: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAW, THEN WHAT...
From: Gene
Date: 07 Feb 98 - 06:35 PM

Should of posted them to the original thread! Forgot about it! Thanks to Bill K. for the tape.

IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAW, THEN WHAT DID TENNESSEE?
Recorded by Lonzo and Oscar

If MISS-ISSIPPI got NEW JERSEY's, what would DELA-WARE?
And if WYOMIN' started roamin' would MONTANA care?
IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAW, THEN WHAT DID TENNESSEE?
If you can answer that one, you're a better man than me.

Who knows the answer to this mystery?
IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAW, THEN WHAT DID TENNESSEE?

If OKLA- ain't a HOMA, tell me where has ORE-GON (Ora Gone)
If MINNE-SOTA (Minnie sewed) a dress then would VIRGINIA put it on
If CAROLINA went to CHINA, where would GEORGIA stay?
If WASHING- is a TON, just how much does I-O-WA (I-O Weigh)?

Who knows the answer to this mystery?
IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAW, THEN WHAT DID TENNESSEE?

If There were no potatoes, tell me what would IDA-HO (Ida hoe)?
If KANSAS loaned NEW YORK a dollar, who would O-HI-O (owe hi-o)?
If UTAH bothered ALABAM', then who would ILLINOIS (Ill annoy)?
Has SOUTH DAKOTA ever wrote an island in HAWAII?

Who knows the answer to this mystery?
IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAW, THEN WHAT DID TENNESSEE?

If FLORIDA would plant the seed, would CONNETA-CUT the grass?
Would MARYLAND a fellar, if she went to BOSTON, MASS?
And how could MASSACHUSSETS (Massa Chew-it) with a broken upper plate?
Do you give up or would you like to try for 48?

Who knows the answer to this mystery?
IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAW, THEN WHAT DID TENNESSEE?

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From: graywolf1980
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 04:33 PM

Hello to everyone,

I am the one who has pestered everybody about Lonzo and Oscar over the last few years. The Capitol 78 record "If Texas Told What Arkan-saw Then What Did Tennes-see/Onions Onions" was the last one I needed, and I got it last week. I would like to share this song with everyone, but I have no place to post it. I've converted it to MP3, and it's 1.68MB. Anyone know where I can send it?

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 05:14 PM

Hello Greywolf1980 - please send mp3 to:

[e-mail]

Please send the onions song also

THANK YOU

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From: graywolf1980
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 06:11 PM

Do you have a different address Gene? The e-mail came back.

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 06:13 PM

I can find a place to post it for anyone who wants it soon....

I have a new email and website I'm setting up

somethingextree AT comcast.net

(replace the AT with the usual @)

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From: Gene
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 06:55 PM

[e-mail] is the correct addy - typical typing mistake

DL4QO [LETTER OOOOOHHHH not ZERO]

THANKS
GENE

Subject: RE: IF TEXAS TOLD WHAT ARKANSAS?
From: graywolf1980
Date: 21 Aug 04 - 07:43 PM

Hello again,

Just letting you know that instead of e-mailing these, I will temporarily post them on one of my sites.

If Texas Told What Arkan-saw Then What Did Tennes-see
Onions Onions

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If Texas Told What Arkansas?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Dec 14 - 08:02 PM

WOuld you please send me a copy at [e-mail]. My Mother used to sing this song and she's been gone for almost 20 years now... I would love to teach it to my grandchildren.. kind of pass along the legacy. Thank you so very much.
J. Palmer

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If Texas Told What Arkansas?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 10:02 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LmGYjJzzcY

Neat thing with a kid rhyming fifty states in 34.5 seconds. The video takes 60 seconds. I didn't make that up.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If Texas Told What Arkansas?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 03 Dec 14 - 04:06 PM

Why is Arkansas pronounced Arkansaw? Bloody stupid??

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: If Texas Told What Arkansas?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Dec 14 - 02:42 AM

It's a Native American name, like Mackinac that's pronounced "Mackinaw." Wikipedia says the name is of Siouan derivation, denoting the Quapaw Indians.
"Arkansas" is what happens when Europeans encounter unwritten languages....
And yes, I've sometimes wondered why the name of that neighboring state isn't pronounced "Kan-saw."

-Joe-