[Verse 1]
A D E A
Oh, once I lived in Cottonwood and owned a little farm,
D A
But I was called to 'Dixie', which gave me much alarm;
D A
To raise the cane and cotton I right away must go,
D E A
But the reason why they sent me, I'm sure I do not know.
[Verse 2]
D E A
I yoked old Jim and Bally up all for to make a start;
D A
To leave my house and garden, it almost broke my heart.
D A
We moved along quite slowly and often looked behind,
D E A
For the sands and rocks or 'Dixie' kept runnin' through my mind.
[Verse 3]
G D E A
At length we reached the 'Black Ridge' where I broke my wagon down;
D A
I could not find a carpenter, we're twenty miles from town,
D A
So with a clumsy cedar pole I fixed an awkward slide;
D E A
My wagon pulled so heavy that Betsy could not ride.
[Verse 4]
D E A
While Betsy was a-walking, I told her to take care,
D A
When all upon a sudden, she struck a prickly pear.
D A
Then she began to blubber out as loud as she could bawl:
D E A
"If I was back in cottonwood, I would not come at all."
[Verse 5]
D E A
And when we reached the Sandy, we could not move at all
For poor old Jim and Bally began to puff and bawl.
D A
I whipped and swore a little, but could not make the rout,
D E A
For myself, the team, and Betsy we're all of us give out.
[Verse 6]
D E A
And next we got to Washington where there we stayed a while,
D A
To see if April showers would make the verdure smile.
D A
But, oh, I was mistaken and so I went away
D E A
For the red hills of November looked just the same in May.
[Verse 7]
D E A
I feel so sad and lonely now, there's nothing here to cheer,
D A
Except prophetic sermons which we very often hear;
D A
They'll hand them out by dozens and prove them by the book
D E A
I'd rather have some roasting-ears to stay at home and cook.
[Verse 8]
D E A
I feel so weak and hungry now, I think I'm nearly dead;
D A
'Tis seven weeks next Sunday since I have tasted bread;
Of carrot tops and lucerne greens we have enough to eat,
D E A
But I'd like to change my diet off for buckwheat cakes and meat.
[Verse 9]
D E A
The hot winds whirl around me and take my breath away;
D A
I've had the chills and fever 'til I'm nearly shook to death;
D A
"All earthly tribulations are but a moment here."
D E A
And oh if I prove faithful, a righteous crown shall wear.
[Verse 10]
D E A
My wagon's sold for sorghum seed to make a little bread,
D A
And poor old Jim and Bally long long ago are dead;
D A
There's only me and Betsy left to hoe the cotton tree
D E A
May Heaven help the 'Dixie-ite', wherever he may be.