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Good Old Turnip Greens

by Bo Carter

on Bo Carter Vol. 1 (1928 - 1931) (1991)

When I was a little boy
I always wanted to fly
I flapped my wings like a seagull
And I flew up to the sky

When I got up in Heaven
I seen something I never have seen
There was a lot of burly coons
Just a-scratchin' on the turnip greens

He's a fool about his turnip greens
Oh yes, indeed he are
Corn bread and buttermilk
And the good old turnip greens

Mister Spencer went to Chicago
And I went to New Orleans
I got mad and walked all the way back home
Just to get my greasy turnip greens

Oh the white man wears his broad cloth
And the Indian he wears jeans
But here comes the darkey with his over-alls on
Just a-scratchin' on the turnip greens

He's a fool about his turnip greens
Oh yes, indeed he are
Corn bread and it's greasy
And the good old turnip greens

White man goes to the college
And the Negro to the fields
The white man will learn to read and write
And the Negro will learn to steal

Oh the white folks in their parlors
Just eatin' their cake and cream
But the darkey's back in the kitchen
Just a-scratchin on his turnip greens

He's a fool about his turnip greens
Oh yes, indeed he are
Corn bread and pepper sauce
And the good old turnip greens