Sleepy-Eyed John
Johnny Horton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I whittled out a fiddle from my wagon seat.
I fiddled my fiddle and I rubbed my bow
Play a little tune wherever I go.
Sleepy-eyed John, you better your britches on
Sleepy-eyed John, better tie your shoe.
Sleepy-eyed John, you better get your britches on
Well, Sleepy-eyed John he stole a goose
The goose he flopped but he couldn't get loose.
Said John to the goose "If you don't be still,
We'll miss my supper down in Candyville."
Well Sleepy-eyed John he had a wooden leg.
The little leg was nothing but a little wooden peg.
One shoe off and one shoe on
He'll do the double shuffle 'til the cows come home.
Now I got twenty dollars for to build a fence
I took my money and I ain't worked since.
Sold my buggy and I sold my plow
I wouldn't take a dollar for my journey now.
Well over the hickory and down the pine
The raccoon laughed and the old hound whined.
John said "Sic 'em" and the raccoon left
They crossed Green River in a minute and a half.
The lyrics of "Sleepy-Eyed John" by Johnny Horton tell the story of a wandering fiddler who travels from town to town, playing his music wherever he goes. The song is a classic example of American folk music, with its lively melody and catchy lyrics. The opening lyrics speak of the fiddler's journey down to Candy Creek where he whittles a fiddle out of his wagon seat. He fiddles and rubs the bow to create a tune that he plays wherever he goes. The song tells the story of Sleepy-Eyed John, a thief who wanders the countryside, and it warns him to clean up his act and live a better life before the devil catches up with him.
The song goes on to describe Sleepy-Eyed John's misadventures with a goose, his little wooden leg, and his journey across the Green River. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and colorful characters, making it a quintessential piece of American folk music. The playful and lighthearted melody makes it enjoyable to listen to, while the lyrics deliver both a warning and a message of hope. It is a story of redemption, a cautionary tale that ends with the hope that Sleepy-Eyed John might still get to heaven if he changes his ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a-way down yonder on the Candy Creek
I traveled to Candy Creek, which is located far away
I whittled out a fiddle from my wagon seat.
I fashioned a fiddle from my wagon's seat
I fiddled my fiddle and I rubbed my bow
I played my fiddle and moved my bow across its strings
Play a little tune wherever I go.
I entertain people with music wherever I travel
Sleepy-eyed John, you better your britches on
Warning Sleepy-eyed John to get dressed
Sleepy-eyed John, better tie your shoe.
Advising Sleepy-eyed John to tie his shoe
Sleepy-eyed John, you better get your britches on
Telling Sleepy-eyed John to put his clothes on
And try to get to heaven 'fore the Devil gets to you.
Encouraging Sleepy-eyed John to get to heaven before the Devil can claim possession of him
Well, Sleepy-eyed John he stole a goose
Sleepy-eyed John stole a goose
The goose he flopped but he couldn't get loose.
The stolen goose struggled but couldn't escape from Sleepy-eyed John
Said John to the goose "If you don't be still,
Sleepy-eyed John told the goose to calm down
We'll miss my supper down in Candyville."
If the goose didn't stop moving, Sleepy-eyed John would miss his dinner in Candyville
Well Sleepy-eyed John he had a wooden leg.
Sleepy-eyed John had a prosthetic wooden leg
The little leg was nothing but a little wooden peg.
Sleepy-eyed John's prosthetic leg was like a small wooden peg
One shoe off and one shoe on
Sleepy-eyed John is wearing an odd pair of shoes
He'll do the double shuffle 'til the cows come home.
Sleepy-eyed John is dancing the double shuffle for a long time
Now I got twenty dollars for to build a fence
I earned twenty dollars to construct a fence
I took my money and I ain't worked since.
I have not worked since receiving that money
Sold my buggy and I sold my plow
I sold my buggy and plow
I wouldn't take a dollar for my journey now.
I value my journey more than money
Well over the hickory and down the pine
I walked among hickory and down pine trees
The raccoon laughed and the old hound whined.
A raccoon laughed while an old hound dog whined
John said "Sic 'em" and the raccoon left
Sleepy-eyed John commanded the raccoon, who left
They crossed Green River in a minute and a half.
Sleepy-eyed John and the animals passed Green River in just ninety seconds
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TEX ATCHISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sanguis
on I Hate Niggers
John Gale "Johnny" Horton did NOT write or sing the song "I Hate Niggers". That song was by Johnny Rebel and not written or released for some years after Johnny Horton died.