19B. Johnny Bobeens- Wilhelm (WV)
[No date given, c. 1928, Swapping Song]
19B - JOHNNY BOBEENS
(The Foolish Boy)
Communicated by Miss Hattie M. Hickwire, Albright, Preston County. Obtained from Maurice Wilhelm, a wandering stave-maker, now dead.
I sold me a horse,
And bought me a cow,
I tried to make bargains
But didn't how how.
Refrain:
Come a-downery down,
Down through the valleys,
Down through the greens,
Down through the meadows,
To Johnny Bobeens,
Come a downery down.
I sold me a cow,
And bought me a calf,
I tried to make bargains,
But always lost half.
I sold me a calf,
And bought me a swine,
He couldn't chew corn,
For his teeth were too fine.
I sold me a swine
And bought me a hen,
She laid eggs,
But the devil knew when.
I sold me a hen,
And bought me a cock,
He never crowed
Till nine o'clock.
I sold me a cock,
And bought me a rat,
His tail caught a-fire,
And burned my old hat.
I sold me a rat,
And bought me a mouse,
His tail caught on fire,
And burned my old house.
See NC II 471.