Turkey in the Straw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids "Turkey in the Straw"
Sheet music
Song

"Turkey in the Straw" is a well-known American folk song. It became popular in the early 1800s. A folk song is a traditional song passed down through generations.

The tune of "Turkey in the Straw" was first played by fiddle players around 1820. Fiddles are like violins, often used in folk music. Later, from the late 1870s to the 1930s, the song was performed in shows called minstrel shows. These shows were popular, but they often featured white performers who painted their faces black. This practice, called blackface, was used to make fun of Black people. Today, blackface is seen as very offensive and racist.

The first part of "Turkey in the Straw" uses the tune from an older song. This is called a contrafactum. The older song was "My Grandmother Lived on Yonder Little Green." That song itself used the tune from an even older Irish song called "The Old Rose Tree." This shows how melodies can travel and be used in many different songs over time.

The Song's Words

The lyrics of "Turkey in the Straw" often describe funny or silly situations. There are many different versions of the words. Here is a common traditional chorus and some verses:

Traditional chorus

Turkey in the hay, in the hay, in the hay.
Turkey in the straw, in the straw, in the straw,
Pick up your fiddle and rosin your bow,
And put on a tune called Turkey in the Straw.

Full Lyrics

As I was a-gwine down the road,
Tired team and a heavy load,
Crack my whip and the leader sprung,
l seys day-day to the wagon tongue.

Turkey in the straw, turkey in the hay,
Turkey in the straw, turkey in the hay
Roll 'em up and twist 'em up a high tuckahaw
And twist 'em up a tune called Turkey in the Straw.

Went out to milk, and I didn't know how,
I milked the goat instead of the cow.
A monkey sittin' on a pile of straw,
A-winkin' at his mother-in-law.

Met Mr. Catfish comin' down stream.
Says Mr. Catfish, "What does you mean?"
Caught Mr. Catfish by the snout,
And turned Mr. Catfish wrong side out.

Came to a river and I couldn't get across,
Paid five dollars for a blind old hoss;
Wouldn't go ahead, nor he wouldn't stand still,
So he went up and down like an old saw mill.

As I came down the new cut road,
Met Mr. Bullfrog, met Miss Toad
And every time Miss Toad would sing,
Old Bullfrog cut a pigeon wing.

Oh I jumped in the seat and I gave a little yell
The horses ran away, broke the wagon all to hell
Sugar in the gourd and honey in the horn
I never been so happy since the day I was born."

More Information

In Spanish: Turkey in the straw para niños