Cotton Eyed Joe Lyrics

Cotton-eyed Joe, Cotton-eyed Joe

What did make you hurt me so

You took my gal away from me

Left her back in Tennessee

I'd been married many years ago

If it wasn't for that Cotton Eyed Joe

Cotton-Eyed Joe, no handsome man

Had him a reverse farmer tan

With girl in hand and sometimes two

Behind his ears, some potaboo

I'd been married many years ago

If it wasn't for that Cotton Eyed Joe

Read her Tolstoy and all night long

Dusterevsky, maybe I'm wrong

Tetrameter he loved to speak

Who knew a poet was who'd she seek

I'd been married many years ago

If it wasn't for that Cotton Eyed Joe

Cotton-Eyed Joe, now hear my voice

Why would Emmy make you her choice

Hold on, that's right, you just were you

She was courted, chose one of two

Cotton-Eyed Joe, Cotton-Eyed Joe

Off to Tennessee you did go

Cotton-Eyed Joe, Cotton-Eyed Joe

It was bad luck, and exactly so

Chose a woman, didn't pick me

Now the future past plain to see

Can't blame you for lonely years past

Emmy and Joe, so, did it last

Cotton-Eyed Joe, Cotton-Eyed Joe

Back in these parts, so I guess no

Nephews, nieces, oh gather round

Heartbreak is found in happy sound

Bless you Emmy, hard feelings no

'Cept for that rascal that Cotton Eyed Joe

Cotton-Eyed Joe, Cotton-Eyed Joe

Back in these parts, so I guess no

Nephews, nieces, oh gather round

Heart break is found in happy sound

Bless you Emmy, hard feelings no

Except for that rascal, that Cotton Eyed Joe

Bless you Emmy, hard feelings no

Except for that rascal, that Cotton Eyed Joe

Except for that rascal, that Cotton Eyed Joe