Lew Childre - Wagon Yard (1930)

Lew Childre sings "Wagon Yard" on Champion 16011

Recorded on Thursday, April 10, 1930 in Richmond, Indiana, at a Gennett studio.

The song has other titles, such as "Wish I'd Stayed in the Wagon Yard" and "I Wish I'd Bought a Half a Pint and Stayed in the Wagon Yard" and "Buy a Half Pint and Stay in the Wagon Yard."

Now I'm a jolly farmer, and last night I come to
town. Fetched me a bale of cotton I'd worked the
whole year round. I hooked my team in the wagon
yard and I got me a bottle of gin. Went out to see
them 'lectric lights and watch the cars come in.

I met a dude down on the street, and the clock
was strikin' nine. He said, "Come on, old hayseed--
we'll have a little drink. It's mine."

We must have had a dozen drinks 'cause it hit
my pocketbook hard. Wish I'd a got me a half a
pint and stayed in the wagon yard.

Oh, listen to me, you farmers--now
I'm here to talk with sense. If you
want to see them electric lights, you
better look right over that fence.

Don't monkey with them city guys. You'll
find them slick as lard. Get yourself
a half a pint and stay in the wagon yard.

I'm a deacon in a hard shell church down near Possum Trot;
If the sisters hear about my spree, it’s bound to make ’em hot.
I went out on a party, and led the pace that kills.
When I woke up the gang was gone, and they left me all the bills.

I found them on the corner near old Salvation Hall;
That drunken bunch was out there singin’ ‘Jesus Paid it All’.
They threw me out in a dry good box, Lord my pillow was hard.
I wish I’d bought a half-pint and stayed in the wagon yard.

Now listen to me farmers, I’m here to talk with sense.
If you want to see them ‘lectric lights, just look right over the fence.
Now, when you farmers come to town, just stay with your pard’,
Go home and tell the sisters you stayed in the wagon yard.

Lew Childre was was an American country guitarist (steel guitar, that is) and singer.

He was born on November 1, 1901.

He died on December 3, 1961.

Lew Childre "Wagon Yard" Champion 16011 (1930) hillbilly yodel "Wish I'd Stayed in the Wagon Yard"