A different take on a popular advertisement for a bollworm poison
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The origins of the Boll-weevil song like the origins of any folk song is not something one needs to go in search of. Carl Sandburg performed a popular version of this American song in the 1920’s but the sentiment is universal. The song slyly points out that the torment caused to the farmer by the weevil is only rivaled by the uncertainty of raising a cash crop. Notice the reference to Paris Green, one of the earliest pesticides.
THE BOLL-WEEVIL SONG
The first time I saw little Weevil
He was on the Western Plain.
Next time I saw the Weevil
he was riding a Memphis train.
He was looking for a home, just looking for a home.
When the Farmer saw those Boll Weevils
They were in his rocking chair.
The next time they were in his cornfield
and they had all their family there,
Just fixing up a home, yes, fixing up a home.
The Boll Weevil say to the Farmer,
"You can ride in that Ford machine,
But when I get through with your cotton
you can't buy gasoline,
You won't have no home, won't have no home."
The Merchant said to the Farmer,
"Well, what do you think of that?
If you'll get rid of the Weevil
I'll give you a brand new Stetson hat.
He's looking for a home, just looking for a home."
The Farmer took little Weevil
And put him in Paris Green.
The Weevil said to the Farmer,
"It's the best I've ever seen.
I'm goin' to have a home, a happy home."
The Farmer took the Boll Weevil
And put him in a frying pan.
Weevil said to the Farmer,
"It's mighty warm, but I'll stand it like a man.
This will be my home, yes, this will be my home."
The Weevil grabbed the Farmer
And throwed him in the sand
Put on the Farmer's overcoat
and stood up like a natural man.
Said, "I'm going to have a home, a happy home."
The Farmer said to the Merchant,
"I need some meat and meal."
"Get away from here you son of a gun,
you got Boll Weevils in your field.
Going to get your home, going to get your home."
The Farmer said to the Merchant,
"I didn't make but one bale,
But before I let you have that one
I'll suffer and die in jail.
I'll have a home, I'll have a home!"
Well, the Merchant got half the cotton,
The Boll Weevils got the rest.
Didn't leave the poor Farmer's wife
but one old cotton dress,
And it's full of holes, all full of holes.