State of Arkansas

My name is Charlie Brennan, from Charlestown I come,
I’ve travelled this wide world over, and many a race I’ve run,
I’ve travelled this wide world over, and some ups and I’ve saw,
But I never knew what mis’ry was till I came to Arkansas

I stepped behind the depot to dodge that blizzard wind,
Met a walking skeleton whose name was Thomas Quinn,
His hair hung down in rat-tails on his long and lantern jaw,
He invited me to his hotel, the best in Arkansas.

I followed my conductor to his respected place,
Where pity and starvation was seen in every face,
His bread it was corn dodger, his meat I could not chaw,
But he charged me half a dollar in the state of Arkansas