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"The Little Old Sod Shanty On The Claim"

As recorded by Mr. Jimmy Denoon

12 Nov 1941

Bradleyville, MO

I'm looking rather seedy
While holdin down my claim
Vittles are not always of the best
And the mice play shyly round me
As I nestle down to rest
In that little old sod shanty on the claim

The hinges are of leather
And the windows have no glass (panes)
The board roof lets the howlin blizzard in
And I hear the hungry coyote
As he slinks (prowls) up through the grass
Round that little old sod shanty on my (the) claim

When I left my Eastern home
A bachelor oh so gay
To win my way up in this wealth and fame
Whoever thought I'd be so low
As to burn and twist in hay
In that little old sod shanty on my claim

I wish that some kind-hearted girl
Would pity on me take
And relieve me from this mess that I am in
The angel — how I'd bless her
If this her home she'd make
In that little old sod shanty on my claim

And if kindly fate should bless us
And now and then a heir
To cheer our hearts in honest pride and fame
Oh then we'd be contented
For the toil that we had spent
In that little old sod shanty on my claim