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.





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