The Lazy Farmer Boy

The 11th ballad on Harry Smiths Anthology of American Folk Music is called The Lazy Farmer Boy. It's a tale about a farmer that wouldn't hoe his corn and therefore loses his girlfriend. You can read more about this song and all the songs on the Anthology at http://oldweirdamerica.wordpress.com The guy who writes that blog is also on youtube at http://www.gadaya.com

The recording of The Lazy Farmer Boy on the Anthology was done by Carter and Young. The song has also been recorded by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Roscoe Holcomb. This song has also unfortunately crossed into the bluegrass world as Alison Kraus gave it her incredibly watered down sound and I think it was pretty popular for her. I'm playing the song on Guitar and Harmonica.

The Lazy Farmer Boy - Traditional

I'll sing you song but it ain't very long
About a lazy farmer who wouldn't hoe his corn
And why it was I never could tell
For that young man was always well
That young man was always well.

He planted his field on June the last
In July it was up to his eye
In September there came a big frost
And all that young mans corn was lost
All that young mans corn was lost.

He started for his field and got there at last
The grass and weeds was up to his chin
The grass and weeds had grown so high
It caused that poor man for to sigh
Caused that poor man for to sigh.

Now his courtship had just begun
She said young man have you hoed your corn
I've tried I've tried I've tried in vain
But I don't believe I'll raise one grain
Don't believe I'll raise one grain.

Why do you come to me to wed
If you can't raise your own cornbread
Single I am and single I'll remain
For a lazy man I won't maintain
A lazy man I won't maintain.

He hung his head and walked away
Saying kind miss you'll rue the day
You'll rue the day that you were born
For giving me the devil cause I wouldn't hoe my corn
Giving me the devil cause I wouldn't hoe my corn.

Now his courtship was to an end
On his way he then began
Saying kind miss I'll have another girl
If I have to ramble this big world
If I have to ramble this big world.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The Lazy Farmer Boy
• Old Time
• Gutiar
• Harmonica
• Harry Smith
• Folk Song
• Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn

[downstube]

sorry all of your comments seem to be double up on you. nice job on the song. i'd like the chords please.

[jccoldtime23]

@downstube Hey thanks for the comment. The chords are just C and G. Pretty straightforward.

[marcoacca]

Bravo!

[jccoldtime23]

@marcoacca Thanks Marcoacca.

[gadaya]

I love your straightforward version...

[jccoldtime23]

@gadaya Thanks. With all the "bluegrassy" versions of this tune out I figured somebody had to do it right haha.

[jccoldtime23]

@TheNRADude Thanks Richard, glad you liked it.

[TheNRADude]

nice bro