WHEN THE WAGON WAS NEW
(Sam McGee)

recorded by Sam & Kirk McGee
December 1961
Nashville


There's an old and rusty wagon that's left to rot away,
It's one my family rode in back in the good old days.
People loved their neighbors, everybody was so free,
And riding in a brand new wagon was something to see.

Yes, we used to go to church on Sundays, when the wagon was new.

I can still see my Daddy sitting on the wagon seat,
Mom in her old sunbonnet, she looked so nice and neat.
Kids were in the wagon, Grandmam and Grandpa too,
Oh, we used to go to church on Sundays, when the wagon was new.

Red wheels were on the wagon and the body, it was green,
We were all so happy as riding in a limousine.
People used to gather round through all the mountainside,
Take a look at the brand new wagon and all take a ride.

Yes, we used to go to church on Sundays, when the wagon was new.

Well, the automobiles are here now, the wagon days are through,
Airplanes are a-humming, neighbors are so few.
Everybody's in a hurry, it's money that takes you through,
But we didn't need much money when the wagon was new.



(Transcribed by Joe S Cline & Peter Akers - July 2017)