G

[Verse 1]
G                                                                  D
Well the cows went dry, the hens don't lay, there's no place I can borrow,
G                   C                    D              G
I gave the landlord all the news and the rent comes due tomorrow,
G                                                D
Lots of money in the bank, they say that's where to keep it,
    G               C                 D                   G
Not only won't they loan me some they wouldn't let me see it.

[Chorus]
   G
So pick away on the old ban-jo,
G                D
Keep that guitar strumming,
G              C
Put more water in the soup,
       D             G
There's better times a-coming.

[Verse 2]
G                                                   D
Well Mary Lou could pull a plow if only I would let her,
G                  C          D                    G
Twice as strong as any ox and she don't smell much better,
G                                                    D
Didn't kiss that Mary Lou but once and then I had to leave her,
G                C               D                  G
Make's my collar get so tight, I start to burn with fever.

[Chorus]
   G
So pick away on the old ban-jo,
G                D
Keep that guitar strumming,
G              C
Put more water in the soup,
       D             G
There's better times a-coming.

[Verse 3]
G                                                    D
My rooster used to chase a hen, he just kept getting thinner,
G             C                     D                  G
He nearly ran himself to death so I brought him in for dinner,
G                                                 D
Cotton crops are mighty poor the weeds are really growin',
G              C          D                   G
I need a woman pretty bad to help me with the hoein'.

[Chorus]
   G
So pick away on the old ban-jo,
G                D
Keep that guitar strumming,
G              C
Put more water in the soup,
       D             G
There's better times a-coming.


[Verse 4]
G                                            D
A man came by the other day a-huntin' manual labor,
G             C            D                   G
Said I hadn't seen the guy why don't he ask my neighbour,
G                                                    D
So come on boys get your gals and kick your heels up higher,
G                C              D                      G
Don't let no one steal your gal just hold her a little tighter.

[Chorus]
   G
So pick away on the old ban-jo,
G                D
Keep that guitar strumming,
G              C
Put more water in the soup,
       D             G
There's better times a-coming.