TENNESSEE SATURDAY NIGHT
(Billy Hughes)

Red Foley - 1948
Ella Mae Morse - 1951
Pat Boone - 1954
Ernest Tubb - 1961
Kenny Price - 1971
Jerry Lee Lewis - 1977
Don Walser - 1999
Robinella & the CC String Band - 2003
Also recorded by: Porter Wagoner; Marvin Jackson;
Charley Pride; Ranch Girls & The Ragtime Wranglers.


Now, listen while I tell you 'bout a place I know
Down in Tennessee where the tall corn grows
Hidden from the world in a bunch of pines
Where the moon's a little bashful and it seldom shines
Civilized people live there alright
But they all go native on a Saturday Night

Their music is a fiddle and a cracked guitar
They get their kicks from an old fruit jar
They do the boogie to an old square dance
The woods are full of couples lookin' for romance
Somebody takes his brogue and knocks out the light
Yes, they all go native on a Saturday night

When they really get together there's a lot of fun
They all know the other fellah packs a gun
Ev'rybody does his best to act just right
'Cause there's gonna be a funeral if you start a fight
They struggle and they shuffle till broad daylight
Yes, they all go native on a Saturday night

Well, now you've heard my story 'bout a place I know
Down in Tennessee where the tall corn grows
HIdden from the world in a bunch of pines
Where the moon's a little bashful and it seldom shines
Civilized people live there alright
But they all go native on a Saturday night


*****


LYRIC VARIATIONS:


Ella Mae Morse sings "do the boogie" in place of "go native"
Pat Boone sings "flat guitar" in place of "cracked guitar"
Pat Boone sings "feudin'" in place of "funeral"
Jerry Lee Lewis sings "get crazy" in place of "go native"
Don Walser sings "kicks out" in place of "knocks out"

A live version by Jerry Lee Lewis contains many lyric changes.
One Pat Boone version also contains different verses, one of
which is.....

When they really get together there's a lot of fun
It's a lot of pleasure when your work is done
To listen to the strummin' of an old banjo
And cuddle with your honey dressed in calico
The music keeps a-playin' till the broad daylight
Yes, they all go native on a Saturday night



(Research & Transcriptions by Mel Priddle - October 2004)