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I woke up one morning, in the spring of 65
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Considering myself lucky, to be found alive.
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I hitched up my horses, my business to pursue,
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Instead of hauling four loads, I only hauled two.

[Verse 2]
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I'd had my fill of plowing, before the sun was high
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The sunshine made my head feel strange, it was an honest try.
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So I unhitched my mule, and saddled up my mare
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And rode down to the grocery, to see what's doin there.

[Verse 3]
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Now farming folk for miles around were gathered in the store
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Each saying that he'd never left his plow so soon before.
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While talkin' of the mystery of God's unfolding will,
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Old man Hawkins brought a load of whiskey from his still.

[Verse 4]
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Now most of us had never drunk so early in the day
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But, since today was special, we got drunk anyway.
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We got so drunk and crazy, that we all did agree,
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To meet that very night, where the fiddle was to be.

[Verse 5]
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The night was clear as crystal, the moon was full and bright
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And nothing looked familiar, in that pale, unearthly light.
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There was no wind, no calling birds, in fact it was so still,
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I scarcely drew a breath, till I'd reached old Laurel Hill.

[Verse 6]
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I'll tell you of our party, and how it did commence
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When four of us jolly boys, got on the floor to dance.
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The fiddler being willing, his arm a being strong,
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He played the Crippled Kingfisher about four hours long.

[Verse 7]
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I see the morning star boys, I guess we danced enough
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We'll spend another hour, in paying cash for cuff.
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We'll go back to our plows, we'll whistle and we'll sing,
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We never shall be guilty of another such a thing.

[Verse 8]
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Come all you newsy women,who gather news about
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Don't tell no tales upon us, we're bad enough without.
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Dont tell no tales up on us, and kick up any fuss,
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You been guilty of the same thing, perhaps a whole lot worse.