What's to be done with a prodigal son?
Welcome him home with open arms
Throw a big party, invite your friends
Our boy's come back home

When a girl goes home with the oats he's sown
It's draw your shades and your shutters
She's bringing such shame to the family name
The return of the prodigal daughter
Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe

Went to see a doctor and I almost died
When I told my mama, Lordy, how she cried
Me and my daddy were never too close
But he was there when I needed him most

Look, here comes a prodigal son
Fetch him a tall drink of water
But there's none in the cup 'cause he drank it all up
Left for a prodigal daughter
Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe

Oh, Cotton Eyed Joe, oh, Cotton Eyed Joe
Had not have been for the Cotton Eyed Joe
I'd have been married a long time ago
Oh, I'd have been married a long time ago

Out in the cornfield
I stubbed my toe
I called for the doctor, Cotton Eyed Joe
I called for the doctor, Cotton Eyed Joe

Look, here comes a prodigal son
Fetch him a tall drink of water
But there's none in the cup 'cause he drank it all up
Left for a prodigal daughter

Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe
Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe
Singing, oh Cotton Eyed Joe