Catholic Activity: Turkey in the Straw

Here is an appropriate Carnival song, thought to be the most American of all tunes.

DIRECTIONS

1. As I was going down the road,
A tired team an' a heavy load,
I cracked my whip and the leader sprung and says,
day day to the wagon tongue.

Refrain: Turkey in the straw, turkey in the hay,
Dance all night and work all day,
Roll 'em up and twist 'em up a high tuck-a-haw,
And hit 'em up a tune called Turkey in the Straw.

2. Oh, I went out to milk and I didn't know how;
I milked a goat instead of a cow.
A monkey sittin' on a pile of straw,
A-winkin' his eye at his mother-in-law. — Refrain.

3. Turkey in the hay, turkey in the straw,
The old gray mare won't gee nor haw,
Roll 'em up and twist 'em up a high tuck-a-haw
And hit 'em up a tune called Turkey in the Straw. — Refrain.

4. Well I met Mister Catfish come down the stream,
Says Mister Catfish what does you mean?
I caught Mister Catfish by the snout.
And I turned Mister Catfish wrong side out. — Refrain

5. As I came down the new cut road,
Met Mister Bullfrog met Miss Toad,
And every time Miss Toad would sing
Ole Bullfrog cut a pigeon wing. — Refrain.

Activity Source: Around the Year with the Trapp Family by Maria Augusta Trapp, Pantheon Books Inc., New York, New York, 1955