Well way down yonder on Candy Creek
I whittled out a fiddle from a wagon seat
I tune fiddle and I rub my bow
Play a little tune wherever I go

(chorus)

Sleepy-eyed John, you better get yore britches on
Sleepy-eyed John better tie your shoe
Sleepy-eyed John, you better goet your britches on
Try to get to heaven 'for the devil gets to you

Now Sleepy-eyed John he had a wooden leg
The wooden leg was nothing but a little wooden peg
With one shoe off and one shoe on
Do the double-shuffle 'till the cows come home

chorus

Over the hickory and down the pine
The racoon left and the old hound whined
John said 'Sick 'em', and the racoon left
They crossed Green River in a minute and a half

chorus

I took 20 dollars for to build a fence
I took my money and I ain't worked since
I sold my buggy and I sold my plow
I wouldn't take a dollar for my journey now

chorus