[Verse 1]
What's the matter with me donkey? I don't know
Me donkey want to run; hold 'im, Joe
Him won't tell me why him sad and stupid animal
Him won't tell me why him wished for; he won''t work at all

[Chorus]
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go

[Verse 2]
Well, me donkey want whiskey? Hold 'im, Joe
Me donkey want rum? Hold 'im, Joe
He don't want water? No, no, no
Well, man, drunk again?

[Chorus]
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go

[Verse 3]
Well, me donkеy, well he runnin', and he no stay
Mе donkey is determined to go away
Me donkey what does he want? Run away from me
Me donkey is neurotic and unhappy
[Chorus]
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go

[Verse 4]
Does me donkey want honey? No, no, no
Me donkey want money? No, no, no
But me donkey won't eat, no, no, no
Me donkey won't sleep, no, no, no, no

[Chorus]
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go

[Verse 5]
Well, what's the matter with this donkey? I still don't know
Me donkey like a firecracker? So restless, restless
Me donkey want pretty girl? No, no, no
Me donkey want donkey? Ah-ha

[Chorus]
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go
[Chorus]
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go
Hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe; hold 'im, Joe
And don't let 'im go