And I holler why,
and I holler why
And I holler why,
the tortoise boy no mon ami!

And I holler why,
and I holler why
And I holler why,
the tortoise boy no mon ami!

First he give me one,
then he give me two
And he give me three and I holler
"Lord have mercy"

And I holler why,
and I holler why
And I holler why,
the tortoise boy no mon ami!

First we go in a room,
make me mama no know
Make me lie on a sofa,
make me have-a me labor

And I holler why,
and I holler why
And I holler why,
the tortoise boy no mon ami!

Give me back me shillin',
give me back me shillin'
You can stand on your own feet now,
give me back me shillin'

And I holler why,
and I holler why
And I holler why,
the tortoise boy no mon ami!

Hold me tight, hold me tight,
danger waters coming baby
hold me tight
hold me tight, hold me tight,
danger water coming, baby,
hold me

And I holler why,
and I holler why
And I holler why,
the tortoise boy no mon ami!

And I holler why,
and I holler why
And I holler why,
the tortoise boy no mon ami!