CHAWING CHEWING GUM
(Author Unknown - Late 19th Century)

The Carter Family - 1928
Also recorded by: Stan Ransom; New Lost City Ramblers.


Mama sent me to the spring
She told me not to stay
I fell in love with a pretty little girl
And could not get away

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum

First she give me peaches
Then she give me pears
Next she give me fifty cents
Kissed me on the stairs

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum

Mommy don't 'low me to whistle
Pappy don't 'low me to sing
They don't 'low me to marry
I'll marry just the same

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum

I wouldn't marry a preacher
I'll tell you the reason why
He hollers when he preaches
Makes the people cry

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum

I wouldn't have a lawyer
I'll tell you the reason why
Every time he opens his mouth
He tells a great big lie

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum

I wouldn't have a doctor
I'll tell you the reason why
He rides all over the country
And makes the people die

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum

I wouldn't have a farmer
I'll tell you the reason why
Because he has so plenty to eat
'Specially pumpkin pie

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum

I took my girl to a dance last night
All the folks was there
She took out her chewing gum
And left it on a chair
A nice young man came up and sat
And asked my girl to dance
When he tried to rise, he couldn't budge
He was stuck fast by his pants

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum

I took my girl to church last night
How do you reckon she done?
She walked right up in the preacher's face
And chawed her chewing gum

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum

I took my girl for a buggy ride
And to watch the setting sun
Just as I bent to kiss her
She chawed her chewing gum
I turned the buggy right around
And straightaway home we come
I might have been a married man
If it hadn't been for gum!

Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum
Chawing chewing gum, chewing chawing gum