Mythology & Folklore

Cotton Eyed Joe

by Thomas W. Talley (collector) 1870–1952

From Negro Folk Rhymes (1922)

Mythology & Folklore

Hol' my fiddle an' hol' my bow,
Whilst I knocks ole Cotton Eyed Joe.

I'd a been dead some seben years ago,
If I hadn' a danced dat Cotton Eyed Joe.

Oh, it makes dem ladies love me so,
W'en I comes 'roun' pickin' ole Cotton Eyed Joe!

Yes, I'd a been married some forty year ago,
If I hadn' stay'd 'roun' wid Cotton Eyed Joe.

I hain't seed ole Joe, since way las' Fall;
Dey say he's been sol' down to Guinea Gall.

MLA

Thomas W. Talley (collector). “Cotton Eyed Joe.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/talley/43/.

Chicago

Thomas W. Talley (collector). “Cotton Eyed Joe.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/talley/43/.

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