Prairie Ministrel

The Ballad of Thomas Lincoln

Key of G - G,C,D7 Words for verses 1-5 by Tom Vance

Sung to the tune of “The Ballad of Jedd Clampet”; played on the banjo.

1.
Let me tell you a story about a man named Tom,

A poor Kentucky farmer, couldn’t keep a family farm.

No good land as far as he could see,

So he loaded up the wagons and they moved to Indiany.

(spoken)
Indiana that is, virgin forests, good land titles.

2.
The first thing you know, old Nancy up and died,

So Tom went back to Kentuck and took Sally for his bride.

John Hanks was writin’ that the prairies would entice,

So he loaded up the family and they moved to Illinice.

(spoken)
Illinois that is, tall grass prairies, land of milk and honey.

3.
Well, the first winter there, they had the deep snow,

So back to Indiany, the Lincoln family goes.

Stopped in Coles to visit with some kin.

Next thing you know, they’re movin’ right in.

(spoken)
To Coles County that is; first Buck Grove, then Muddy Point.

4.
In 1840, Tom bought the Goosenest farm;

They’ve lived here five years and haven’t come to any harm.

There’s Squire and Tildy and John and Mary too,

They got eleven youngin’s and another one is due.

(spoken)
Young’ins that is, along with houn’ dogs, and barn cats.

5.
Well, the morale to my story is plain for you to see,

An 1840s farm is where you oughta be.

There’s hogs and sheep and horses, and oxen you can drive,

They bring it all alive there in 1845.

(spoken)
A living history farm that is, with the Lincolns and the Sargents.

6.
Well, now it’s time to say goodbye to Tom and all his kin.

They would like to thank you folks for kindly droppin’ in.

You’re invited back again to this locality,

To have a heapin’ helpin’ of their hospitality.

(spoken)
Southern Upland that is; take your shoes off, put your feet up;

Y’all come back now, ya hear!

Words of verses 1-5 by Tom Vance, © 1994.

		The Ballad of Thomas Lincoln
Key of G - G,C,D7 *Words for verses 1-5 by Tom Vance*
Sung to the tune of “The Ballad of Jedd Clampet”; played on the banjo.

1.		Let me tell you a story about a man named Tom,
		A poor Kentucky farmer, couldn’t keep a family farm.
		No good land as far as he could see,
		So he loaded up the wagons and they moved to Indiany.
(spoken)		Indiana that is, virgin forests, good land titles.

2.		The first thing you know, old Nancy up and died,
		So Tom went back to Kentuck and took Sally for his bride.
		John Hanks was writin’ that the prairies would entice,
		So he loaded up the family and they moved to Illinice.
(spoken)		Illinois that is, tall grass prairies, land of milk and honey.

3.		Well, the first winter there, they had the deep snow,
		So back to Indiany, the Lincoln family goes.
		Stopped in Coles to visit with some kin.
		Next thing you know, they’re movin’ right in.
(spoken)		To Coles County that is; first Buck Grove, then Muddy Point.

4.		In 1840, Tom bought the Goosenest farm;
		They’ve lived here five years and haven’t come to any harm.
		There’s Squire and Tildy and John and Mary too,
		They got eleven youngin’s and another one is due.
(spoken)		Young’ins that is, along with houn’ dogs, and barn cats.

5.		Well, the morale to my story is plain for you to see,
		An 1840s farm is where you oughta be.
		There’s hogs and sheep and horses, and oxen you can drive,
		They bring it all alive there in 1845.
(spoken)		A living history farm that is, with the Lincolns and the Sargents.

6.		Well, now it’s time to say goodbye to Tom and all his kin.
		They would like to thank you folks for kindly droppin’ in.
		You’re invited back again to this locality,
		To have a heapin’ helpin’ of their hospitality.
(spoken)		Southern Upland that is; take your shoes off, put your feet up;
		Y’all come back now, ya hear!


		Words of verses 1-5 by Tom Vance, © 1994.