Come all you fellers from far and near, and listen to my story
Gon' tell you about the plans I made to fool miss Katie Morey
Teer-da-loddle-lank-thee-eye-ayy, ayy-eye-oh

I went down to miss Katie's house just like some clever feller
And I told her that the plums and grape were gettin' ripe and meller
Teer-da-loddle-lank-thee-eye-ayy, ayy-eye-oh

I told her that her sister Nan that lived in yander's holler
Had sent for her to come down there and stay one half an hour
Teer-da-loddle-lank-thee-eye-ayy, ayy-eye-oh

As we was a-walkin' through the field she squeezed my hand the fiercer
Said, "Mama she has come this way and she will catch us here, sir"
Teer-da-loddle-lank-thee-eye-ayy, ayy-eye-oh

You will climb up yander's tree and see if she is near, sir
Then we will go to that pretty grove and court and sport an hour
Teer-da-loddle-lank-thee-eye-ayy, ayy-eye-oh

Oh, how he heaved to climb that tree till he was nearly winded
Miss Katie stood smiled and watched to see how high he ascended
Teer-da-loddle-lank-thee-eye-ayy, ayy-eye-oh

His heart was a-thumpin' in his breast, and the tree was gent-lie swayin'
As he looked down Miss Katie smiled and he heared what she was sayin'
Teer-da-loddle-lank-thee-eye-ayy, ayy-eye-oh

Your ugly looks I do dispise, you look just like an owl, sir
You scratch down like you scratched up or I'm goin' back to the house sir
Teer-da-loddle-lank-thee-eye-ayy, ayy-eye-oh