Version 1
Info
The origins of this song are unclear, although it pre-dates the 1861–1865 American Civil War. (source)
Lyrics
(Folk song)
If it hadn’t been for Cotton Eyed Joe,
I’d been married a long time ago.
Where did you come from; where did you go?
Where did you come from Cotton Eyed Joe?
Where did you come from; where did you go?
Where did you come from Cotton Eyed Joe?
Version 2
See also
- Country: Southeastern states (U.S.)
- Activities:Â dance
- Harmony: Orff arrangements / chords I IV V
- Melody:Â D,E,G,A,B
- Meter: 4
- Rhythm: Â
  / 
 / 
 - Scale: hexatonic (version 1) / pentatonic (version 2)
- Tones: f,l,drmfs / s,l,drm (version 2)
- Source: Silver Burdett Music, Book 2, Silver Burdett Company, 1981
YouTube
- PDF of song with chords + Lesson ideas + Orff arrangement
- MIDI file
- Listen to the song
1 thought on “Cotton Eyed Joe”
Thank you! I am teaching my grand-daughter ukulele and asked what song she would like to learn. She choose Cotton Eyed Joe, and I am not familiar with this song. This is the first website where I could find the melody written out. I wanted easy ukulele tabs, but it has been difficult to find them. I am bookmarking your site for future reference.