Turkey in the Straw is a popular folksong that was popular since the early 19th century, initially among fiddle players. Today the tune of the song is associated with the rural south. The song is often credited to Dan Emmett, author of Polly Wolly Doodle, but there is not much substance to that claim as it is believed that the song predates him.
In the late 19th century – early 20th century, the lyrics were changed and oftentimes they were blatantly racist and were performed at minstrel shows by blackface musicians. Two popular racist versions of the song are titled Zip Coon (that was performed at minstrel shows since the mid 19th century) and Nigger Loves a Watermelon performed by Harry C. Browne in 1916.
The initial song was most likely an inspiration from the “My Grandma Lived on Yonder Little Green” song that in itself was inspired by the Irish song “The Old Rose Tree”. There was nothing racist in the song originally and today’s version is also clean of any stereotypes and played more around Thanksgiving time probably due to the “turkey” in the song’s lyrics.
“Turkey in the Straw” Lyrics
As I was a-goin’
On down the road
With a tired team
And a heavy load
I cracked my whip
And the leader sprung
I says day-day
To the wagon tongue
Turkey in the straw
Turkey in the hay
Turkey in the straw
Turkey in the hay
Roll ’em up and twist ’em up
A high tuck a-haw
And hit ’em up a tune called
Turkey in the Straw
Went out to milk
And I didn’t know how
I milked the goat
Instead of the cow
A monkey sittin’
On a pile of straw
A winkin’ at
His mother-in-law
Turkey in the straw
Turkey in the hay
Turkey in the straw
Turkey in the hay
Roll ’em up and twist ’em up
A high tuck a-haw
And hit ’em up a tune called
Turkey in the Straw
I came to the river
And I couldn’t get across
So I paid five dollars
For a big bay hoss
Well, he wouldn’t go ahead
And he wouldn’t stand still
So he went up and down
Like an old saw mill
Turkey in the straw
Turkey in the hay
Turkey in the straw
Turkey in the hay
Roll ’em up and twist ’em up
A high tuck a-haw
And hit ’em up a tune called
Turkey in the Straw
Did you ever go fishin’
On a warm summer day
When all the fish
Were swimmin’ in the bay
With their hands in their pockets
And their pockets in their pants
Did you ever see a fishie
Do the Hootchy-Kootchy Dance?
Turkey in the straw
Turkey in the hay
Turkey in the straw
Turkey in the hay
Roll ’em up and twist ’em up
A high tuck a-haw
And hit ’em up a tune called
Turkey in the Straw