The Foolish Boy

Lyrics

The Foolish Boy

This song has travelled over to America and become a favourite in the Bluegrass/Appalachian repertoire where it is known as the swopping song with seemingly endless verses. The song has many versions with different verses and choruses.

My father died, I cannot tell how
He left me six horses to follow the plough

Chorus:
With a whim, wham, wobble – O
Strim, strum, strobble, – O
Bubble O pretty boy
Over the brow

I sold my horses, bought me a cow
Isn’t that a funny thing to follow the plough?

I sold my cow, bought me a calf
Made a sorry bargain, lost the better half

I sold my calf, bought me a dog
He lay in his basket, sleeping like a log

I sold my dog, bought me a cat
She lay by the fire, warmed her little back

I sold my cat, bought me a mouse
Her tail caught fire, burnt down the house