Sleepy Eyed John

Johnny Horton

Written by Tex Atchinson

Key of G · Chords: I IV

Verse 1

C
Well away down yonder on the Candy Creek
                               G7
I whittled out a fiddle from a wagon seat
  C
I tuned up my fiddle and I rosined my bow
                     G7         C
I play a little tune wherever I go

Verse 2

Sleepy eyed John better get your britches on
                        G7
Sleepy eyed John better tie your shoe
C
Sleepy eyed John you better get your bitches on
                              G7            C
Try to get to heaven fore the devil gets to you

Verse 3

Well sleepy eyed John he stole a goose
                         G7
The goose it flopped but couldn't get loose
     C
Said John to the goose if you don’t be still
                                 G7   C
I'm gonna miss my supper down in Candyville

Verse 2

Sleepy eyed John better get your britches on
                        G7
Sleepy eyed John better tie your shoe
C
Sleepy eyed John you better get your bitches on
                              G7            C
Try to get to heaven fore the devil gets to you

Verse 4

Well sleepy eyed John he had a wooden leg
                     G7
Wadn't nothin' but a little wooden peg
     C
With one shoe off and one shoe on
                                    G7        C
He'd do the double shuffle till the cows come home

Verse 2

Sleepy eyed John better get your britches on
                        G7
Sleepy eyed John better tie your shoe
C
Sleepy eyed John you better get your bitches on
                              G7            C
Try to get to heaven fore the devil gets to you

Verse 5

Well I got 20 dollars for to build a fence
                      G7
I took my money and I ain't worked since
  C
I sold my buggy and I sold my plow
                                G7      C
I wouldn't take a dollar for my journey now

Verse 2

Sleepy eyed John better get your britches on
                        G7
Sleepy eyed John better tie your shoe
C
Sleepy eyed John you better get your bitches on
                              G7            C
Try to get to heaven fore the devil gets to you

Verse 6

Over the hickory and down in the pine
                             G7
The raccoon left and the old hound whined
C
John said sic’em and the raccoon left
                              G7           C
They crossed Green River in a minute and a half

Verse 2

Sleepy eyed John better get your britches on
                        G7
Sleepy eyed John better tie your shoe
C
Sleepy eyed John you better get your bitches on
                              G7            C
Try to get to heaven fore the devil gets to you