My name is Charlie Brennan,
From Charleston I come.
I've travel'd this wide world over,
Some ups and downs I've had.
I've travel'd this wide world over,
Some ups and downs I've saw,
But I never knew what mis'ry was
Till I hit old Arkansas.
I dodged behind the depot,
To dodge that blizzard wind.
Met a walking skeleton
Whose name was Thomas Quinn.
His hair hung down like rat-tails
On his long and lantern jaw.
He invited me to his hotel,
The best in Arkansas.
I followed my conductor
To his respected place.
There pity and starvation
Was seen on every face.
His bread it was corn dodger,
His meat I couldn't chaw,
But he charged me half a dollar
In the state of Arkansas.
SPOKEN:
From Charleston I come.
I've travel'd this wide world over,
Some ups and downs I've had.
I've travel'd this wide world over,
Some ups and downs I've saw,
But I never knew what mis'ry was
Till I hit old Arkansas.
I dodged behind the depot,
To dodge that blizzard wind.
Met a walking skeleton
Whose name was Thomas Quinn.
His hair hung down like rat-tails
On his long and lantern jaw.
He invited me to his hotel,
The best in Arkansas.
I followed my conductor
To his respected place.
There pity and starvation
Was seen on every face.
His bread it was corn dodger,
His meat I couldn't chaw,
But he charged me half a dollar
In the state of Arkansas.
SPOKEN: