The State Of Arkansas

D My name is Charlie Brennan Bm From Charleston I come G D I’ve traveled this wide world over D Some ups and downs I’ve had G D I’ve traveled this wide world over D Some ups and downs I’ve saw D But I never really knew what misery was Bm D Till I hit ‘ol Arkansas. D Got off the train in Little Rock D In the middle of winter D Nobody there to extend to me his paw D Or bid me welcome to the state of Arkansas D And it was cold. D I dodged behind the depot Bm To dodge that blizzard winds G D I met a walking skeleton D He said his name was Thomas Quinn G D Well, his hair hung down in rat tails D On his lean and lanterned jaw D He invited me to his hotel D Bm D He said it was the best in Arkansas.   D I followed my conductor Bm To his respected place G D Where pity and starvation D Were to be seen on every face G D Well, his bread it was corn dodger D And his meat I could not chaw D But he charged me a half a dollar Bm D In the state of Arkansas. D Then I went out and got me a job on a farm, farming. D But I didn’t care for the work of the farmer D Or his wife and none of his children. D So I went up to him one day and I said, D “Mister, I’m gonna quit this farm D And you can just pay me off right now.” D He says, “Okay son, if that’s the way you feel about it.” D And he took me out to the barn, and he handed me a mink skin. D I said, “I don’t want this thing. D I want my money for the work I’ve done.” D He says, “Son, you may not know it but D Mink skins is what we’re using for currency down here now.” D So I took it, went into town, hunted up a place, D Put my mink skin up on the counter and D Darned if the bartender didn’t toss me a pint. D Then he picked up my mink skin, blowed the hair back on it, D Put it under the counter and fetched me out D Fourteen rabbit skins and three possum hides for change. D I’m going to the Indian territory Bm And live outside the law G D I’ll bid farewell to the Kinsbreads D In the state of Arkansas G D If you ever see me back again D I’ll extend to you my paw D But it’ll be through a telescope Bm D From hell to Arkansas.