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The quickly-multiplying boll weevils are insects who have caused billions of dollars in damage to cotton crops. (source: Sandburg)

Lyrics

(Folk song)

1. Oh the boll weevil is a little black bug, come from Mexico they say,
Come all the way to Texas, just a-lookin’ for a place to stay.

Refrain
Just a-lookin’ for a home,
Just a-lookin’ for a home,
Just a-lookin’ for a home,
Just a-lookin’ for a home.

2. The first time I seen the boll weevil, He was settin’ on the square,
The next time I seen de boll weevil had all of his family there. Refrain

3. The farmer take the boll weevil, an’ he put him in the hot sand,
The weevil say, “This is mighty hot, but I’ll stand it like a man.” Refrain

4. The farmer take the boll weevil, and he put him on a lump of ice;
The weevil say to the farmer, “‘This is mighty cool and nice.” Refrain

5. The boll weevil say to the farmer, “You can ride in that Ford machine.”
But when I get through with your cotton, can’t buy no gasoline.” Refrain

6. The merchant got half the cotton, the boll weevil got the rest,
Didn’t leave the farmer’s wife but one old cotton dress. Refrain

7. The farmer say to the merchant, “We’s in an awful fix,
The boll weevil eat all the cotton up and left us only sticks.” Refrain

8. The farmer say to the merchant, “I want some meat and meal,”
“Get away from here you son of a gun, you got weevils in your field.” Refrain

9. The farmer say to the merchant, “We ain’t made but one bale,
And before we give you that one, we’ll fight and go to jail.” Refrain

YouTube

  • Song with chords, Adapted Version (PDF)
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the song

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