Madam, I Have a Very Fine Farm- Shorty Allen (CA) 1940
[From Voices from the Dust Bowl: The Charles L. Todd and Robert Sonkin Migrant Worker Collection, 1940 to 1941 (533).
Listen: https://www.loc.gov/item/toddbib000077/
R. Matteson 2017]
"Madam, I Have a Very Fine Farm" sung by Vernon "Shorty" Allen at Shafter (California) FSA Camp, August 4, 1940.
Madam, I have a very fine farm
And it's sixty acres wide
And you can have it at your command
If you will be my bride.
Yes sir, I know you've a very fine farm
And it's sixty acres wide
But who would stay with me at night
While you are playing your cards?
Madam, I never did do such a thing
For I never did think it was right
And if you will be my bride, bride, bride
I won't stay away one night.
Yes sir, I know that's just all talk
It's just to take me in
I wonder if you think that I Would
marry a barrel of gin?
Madame you are a very true girl
And very hard to please
When you get old and out in the cold
I pray to God you freeze.
When I get old and out in the cold
I'll have no drunkard to please, please, please,
I'll have no drunkard to please.
Madam, I have a very fine horse
And his pace is like a kite [tide]
And you can have him at your command
If you will be my bride.
Yes sir, I know you've a very fine horse
And he stands in yonder barn
His master has some very bad habits
And I'm afraid that horse would learn.
Madam, I have a [very fine] mule,
And he works my buggy well,
I'll drink my wine and throw my cards
And you can go to-- hallelujah!