Jump Down, Turn Around

(a.k.a. "Pick A Bale O' Cotton")

Words & Music:

Traditional Work Song

 

This was a traditional song sung in the field as a work song (slowly) but Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter  sped it up to the house party song we know.  Here are the basic & more complete versions.  Oh, and be sure to listen to Allan Sherman's satire of this song.  Very funny!

 

Basic version:

G                          C              D7

Jump down, turn around, to pick a bale of cotton.

G                          D7            G

Jump down, turn around, to pick a bale a day.

G          C              D7

Oh, Lordy, pick a bale of cotton.

G          D7            G

Oh, Lordy, pick a bale a day.

 

 

More complete version (same chords):

 

 Oh, Lordy, Julie, pick a bale o' cotton.

Oh, Lordy, Julie, pick a bale a day.  [2x]

 

Gonna get on my knees and pick a bale o' cotton.

Gonna get on my knees and pick a bale a day.

 

Gonna jump, jump, jump down, pick a bale o' cotton.

Gonna jump, jump, jump down, pick a bale a day.

 

Gonna jump down, turn around, pick a bale o' cotton.

Gonna jump down, turn around, pick a bale a day.

 

Me & my gal gonna pick a bale o' cotton.

Me & my gal gonna pick a bale a day.

 

Me an' my buddy gonna pick a bale o' cotton.

Me an' my buddy gonna pick a bale a day.

 

I b'lieve to my soul I can pick a bale o' cotton.

I b'lieve to my soul I can pick a bale a day.

 

Went to Corsicana to pick a bale o' cotton.

Went to Corsicana to pick a bale a day.

 

Gonna pick-a pick-a pick-a pick-a pick a bale o'cotton

Gonna pick-a pick-a pick-a pick-a pick a bale a day

Gonna pick-a pick-a pick-a pick-a pick a bale o' cotton

We're gonna jump down turn around pick a bale a day.




Back to the Songbook Index.

This page's content is copyrighted ©1977-2008 by Kristin C. Hall. Please drop me a line (via "dink (at) media (dot) mit (dot) edu") if you wish to use it or link to it or correct it! Please send comments, suggestions, fixes and general mischievious mayhem to the web diva via the above email address. (sorry, spambots have forced me to remove my automatic mail link.) Many thanks...and enjoy!

Note to lawyers and any other litigious-minded folk:
I am not trying to screw anyone out of royalties, etc. I have posted these only as a helpful resources for teachers, camp counselors and people who like to "sing along with Mitch", if you will. If you do not want your work posted to these pages, please just email me (via "dink (at) media (dot) mit (dot) edu") and I shall remove it.