[Verse 1]
I'll sing you a song, not very long
About a lazy farmer, wouldn't hoe his corn
The reason why, I cannot tell
That young man was always well
That young man was always well

[Verse 2]
He planted his corn about June the last
In July it was about knee high
In September there came a big frost
All that young man's corn was lost
All that young man's corn was lost

[Verse 3]
He went to the field, he got there at last
The weeds and grass was up to his eye
The grass and weeds, grown so high
Caused that poor young man to sigh
Caused that poor young man to sigh

[Verse 4]
Now, his courtship had just begun
Singing, "Fellow, have you hoed your corn?"
I've tried, I've tried, I've tried in vain
I don't believe that I'll raise one grain
Don't believe that I'll raise one grain
[Verse 5]
Why do you come to me to wed
If you can't raise your own corn bread?
Single I am, and I will remain
A lazy man I'll not maintain
A lazy man I'll not maintain

[Verse 6]
He hung his head and walked away
Saying, "Kind miss, you'll rue the day
You'll rue the day that you was born
For givin' me the devil cause I wouldn't hoe my corn
For givin' me the devil cause I wouldn't hoe my corn"

[Verse 7]
Now, his courtship was to an end
And on his way he did begin
Saying, "Kind miss, I'll have another girl
If I have to ramble this whole wide world
If I have to ramble this whole wide world"