Uncle Dave's Travels, Part 1 (Misery in Arkansas)

I'm just from Nobletown
I've travelled this wild world round
I've have the ups and downs through life
And better days I've saw

I never knowd what misery was, till I come to old Arkansas
I landed in the Spring, one sultry afternoon
Up stepped a walking skeleton, and handed me his paw
Invited me to his hotel, the best in Arkansas

I followed my conductor unto his dwelling place
And poverty did picture in his melacholy face
His bread was corn dodger, his beef I couldn't chaw
That was the kind of hash I got in the State of Arkansas

I started out next morning to catch the early train
He said, "You'd better work for me, I have some land to drain
I'll give you fifty cents a day, your board and wash and all
Indeed you'll be a different man, when you leave old Arkansas"

I worked six months for the sonofagun, Jess Harrold was his name
He stood six feet two and a half, as tall as any crane
His hair hung down in ringlets all round a lantern jaw
Indeed he was a photograph for the gents of Arkansas

He fed me on corn dodgers as hard as any rock
My teeth began to loosen, and my knees began to knock
I got so thin on sassafrass tea, I could hide behind a straw
Indeed, I was a different man when I left old Arkansas

If ever I see this land again I'll hand to you my paw
Oh, it will be through a telescope from here to old Arkansas

I'm just from Nobletown
I've travelled this wild world round
I've have the ups and downs through life
And better days I've saw

I never knowd what misery was, till I come to old Arkansas