Cabbagehead

The following song was often sung in the 1970's
to my sisters and me while we were growing up in Dickenson County, Virginia
by a family friend (now in his 80's) who lives in the Camp Creek section of the County.

CABBAGEHEAD

I came home last as drunk as I could be
and saw a horse a standing where my horse ort to be.
I said, "Dear wifey, dear wifey come explain this thing to me."
She said, "You fool, you fool, you great big fool, can't you never see
that's just a milk cow your mother gave to me."

I been around this great big world a hundred times or more
but a saddle on a milk cow, I've never seen before.

I went into the house as hungry as I could be
and saw a coat a hanging where my coat ort to be.
I said, "Dear wifey, dear wifey come explain this thing to me."
She said, "You fool, you fool, you great big fool, can't you never see
that's just a bed quilt your mother gave to me."

I been around this great big world a hundred times or more
but pockets on a bed quilt, I've never seen before.

I went to the bedroom as tired as I could be
and saw a head a laying where my head ort to be.
I said, "Dear wifey, dear wifey come explain this thing to me."
She said, "You fool, you fool, you great big fool, can't you never see
that's just a cabbagehead your mother gave to me."

I been around this great big world a hundred times or more
but a mustache on a cabbagehead, I've never seen before.

-- Appalachian Folk Song--

If you have any questions or comments, please email Martha Short

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