Goober Peas

Words & Music:

Traditional American

 

"Goober Peas" was slang for peanuts in the years just before the American Civil War.  For Southern soldiers, it was also an easily foraged, nutritious staple.

 

C                       F             C

Sitting by the roadside on a summer's day.

C                                        G

Chatting with my messmates passing time away.

C                    F              C

Lying in the shadows underneath the trees.

C                F        C      G7     C

Goodness, how delicious!  Eating goober peas!

 

CHORUS:

C           F           G7            C

Peas, peas, peas, peas, eating goober peas.

C                F        C      G7     C

Goodness, how delicious!  Eating goober peas!

 

When a horseman passes, the soldiers have a rule,

To cry out their loudest, "Mister, here's your mule!"

But another custom, enchantinger than these,

Is wearing out your grinders, eating goober peas.

 

CHORUS:

 

Just before the battle, the General hears a row.

He says "The Yanks are coming, I hear their rifles now!"

He looks down the roadway and what'd you think he sees?

The Georgia Militia eating goober peas.

 

CHORUS:

 

I think my song has lasted almost long enough.

The subject's interesting,

But the rhymes are mighty rough.

I wish this war was over, so free from rags and fleas.

We'd kiss our wives and sweethearts

And gobble goober peas.

 

CHORUS: