Old Jokey Song- Provance (PA) 1943 Bayard
From: Pennsylvania Songs and Legends
Old Jokey Song
Sung by F. P. Provance at Point Marion, Fayette Counry, 1943.
Recorded by Samuel P. Bayard.) *
Of the widely known old humorous ballads in this country, the one that students call The Farmer's Curst Wife seems to be by far the most popular in Pennsylvania. The theme of the redoubtable wife who can worst the devil himself appears to be common in folk humor and is of incalculable age. The Fayette County version given here is set to the regular tune for the ballad in southwestern Pennsylvania.
1. It's off an old man and he lived poor,
He lived in a house that had but one door.
CHORUS
Sing whack faloora, loora lay,
Sing whack faloora, laddie!
2. This old man he went out to foller the plow;
'Long comes the old devil, saying, "I'll have you now!"
CHORUS
Sing whack faloora, loora lay,
Sing whack faloora, laddie!
3. You shan't have me nor my oldest son,
But my old scolding wife, take her and welcome!
4. He hobbust her up all onto his back,
Like a pedlar packin' his pack.
5. He packed her along till he come to hell's gates;
He hit her a kick, saying Go in, you old jade
6. And he packed her along till he come to hell's door;
And he hit her a kick, saying, Go in, you old whore!
7. Now one little devil come and sit down by 'er:
She up with her foot and she kicked him in the fire.
8. Oh, two little devils with rattlesome chains,
She up with the poker, she knocked out their brains.
9. Then two little devils were lying in bed:
She up with the poker, she killed'em both dead.
10. Then one little devil mn up the wall,
Crying, Pap, take'er out o' hell, or she'll kill us all!
11. Then he hobbust her up all onto his back,
And like a danged fool he went packin' her back.
12. Then he packed 'er along till he come to hell's door;
He hit her a kick, saying, Gwout [go out], you old whore!
13. Then he packed her along till he come to hell's gates;
And he hit her a kick, saying, Gwout, you old jade!
14. He says, Now here's your old woman both sound and well-
If I'd kep' her much longer, she'd lathered all hell!
15. She was seven years going and seven coming back,
And she called for the mush that she left in the pot.