When I cam home the other night,

voiceCollected by M.C. Parler Sung by Bessie Atchley Transcribed by Bessie Atchley Green Forest, Arkansas July 7, 1960 Reel 389, Item 2 The Drunken Fool When I cam home the other night, As drunk as I could be, I found a hat on my hat rack Where my hat ought to be. Oh, my wife, my pretty little wife Explain this thing to me I have found another man's hat Where my hat ought to be. Oh, you fool, you drunk old fool, You're blind as you can be. That is just an old blank pot My granny gave to me. Oh, I have traveled many a mile And I hope to travel more, But I never saw a hat band on, An old black pot before. When I cam home the other night As drunk as I could be I found a coat hanging on the wall Where my coat ought to be. Oh, my wife, my pretty little wife, Explain this thing to me I have found another man's coat Where my coat ought to be. Go, you fool, you drunk old fool You're blind so you can be That is only a warm, wool blanket My mammy gave to me. Oh, I have traveled many a mile, And I hope to travel more. But I never saw pockets sewed On a blanket before. When I came home the other night As drank as I could be, I found a horse in my horse stall Where my horse ought to be. Oh, my wife, my pretty little wife, Explain this thing to me, I have found another man's horse, Where my horse ought to be.Oh, you fool, you blind old fool. You're blind as you can be, That is only a fine milk cow My pappy gave to me. Oh, I have traveled many a mile And I hope to travel more But I never saw a saddle on A fine milk cow before. As drank as I could be I found a cane in my hall-way, where my cane ought to be. Oh my wife, my pretty little wife Explain this thing to me. I have found another man's cane Where my cane ought to be. Oh, you fool, you drank old fool, You're blind as you can be. That is only a crooked stick My brother gave to me; Oh, I have traveled many a mile I hope to travel more, But I never saw a gold handle On a crooked stick before. Whan I came home the other night As drunk as I could be I found a head on my pillow Where my head ought to be; wife, ay pretty little wife, I have found another man's head Where my head ought to be. Oh, you fool, you drunk old fool You're blind as you can be. That is only a baby girl, My sister brought to me, Oh, I have traveled many a mile And I hope to travel more But I never saw whiskers grow On a baby girl before.Funding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation