Tell you a little story and it won't take long
'Bout a lazy farmer who wouldn't hoe his corn
The reason why I never could tell
For that young man was always well

He planted his corn in the month of June
By July it was up to his eyes
Come September, came a big frost
And all the young man's corn was lost

His courtship had just begun
Said: "Young man, have you hoed some corn?"
"Well I tried and I tried, and I tried in vain
"But I don't believe I raised one grain."

He went down town to his neighbour's door
Where he had often been before
Sayin': "Pretty little miss, will you marry me?"
"Little miss, what do you say?"

"Why do you come for me to wed?
"You can't even make your own cornbread
"Single I am, and will remain
"A lazy man, I won't maintain."

He turned his back and walked away
Sayin': "Little miss, you'll rue the day
"You'll rue the day that you were born
"For givin' me the devil 'cause I wouldn't hoe corn."