Shantyboatin'



what is better than fish in the net
this is better that fish I just et
rolled in corn and fried in a pan
go bait the hoop net I'm hungry again

what's more lazy than the buzzards that fly
we're more lazy my parter and I
lawy on ther top till my bottom is sore
roll me over I will lay here some more

shantyboatin' and ain't it the life
shantyboatin' hand me your knife
cut the line and let us float
clear to Natchez on our shantyboat

what is harder than an iron bell
this is harder a snap turtle shell
bring the pickax and dynamite
the way he's ginning it looks like a fight

what is tougher than a snap turtle stew
this is tougher your old home brew
it knocks me down
makes me lay at full length
you think I'm drunk I'm saving my strength

shantyboatin' drifting all night
shantyboatin' feeling about right
lean back admire the moon
keep a'drifting be in Natchez 'fore noon

what is sweeter that sorghum syrup
this is sweeter my old woman's lips
what I call her is Natchez Sue
what she calls me is Once Won't Do

tomorrow evening I'll be ringing her bell
down in Natchez Under the Hill
scruntch up let me lay at full length
you think I'm sleeping I'm sving my strength

shantyboatin' tomorrow's the day
shantyboatin' I can hear what she'll say
roll me over says Natchez Sue
my old man Once Won't Do

and whit is meaner thatn a coon in a bag
this is meaner the boat on a snag
jump in the water up to your knees
back the boat off of a sycamore tree

shantyboatin' yes and these are the facts
shantyboatin' fetch me your ax
chop her loose and let us float
clear to Natchez on our shantyboat