“The Coo Coo” is a “folk-lyric” style song, where verses are interchangeable with verses from other folk songs such as “The Wagoner’s Lad,” and “East Virginia,” which are otherwise unrelated. The first verse can also be heard in “Way Down The Old Plank Road” sung by Dave Macon.
“The Coo Coo” was originally recorded by Clarence “Tom” Ashley in Johnson City TN November 23, 1929. This song style possibly developed between 1850 - 1875 in Kentucky.
A British version can be found in Cecil Sharp’s collection: “Folk Songs From Somerset.”
Lyrics
No chords are given because it’s all in A modal tuning.
The Coo Coo
Gonna build me - log cabin on a mountain so high
So I can - see Julie as she goes on by
Aw the Coo Coo is a pretty bird she warbles as she flies
She never hollers coo coo till the fourth day July
I’ve played cards in England I’ve played cards in Spain
I’ll bet you ten dollars that I’ll beat you next game
Jack of diamonds jack of diamonds I’ve known you from old
Now you’ve robbed my poor pockets of silver and gold
I wish I had a good horse and corn to feed him on
I wish I had Julie to feed him when I’m gone
I’ve played cards in England I’ve played cards in Spain
I’ll bet you ten dollars I’ll beat you this game
Aw the Coo Coo is a pretty bird she warbles as she flies
She never hollers coo coo till the fourth day July
The purpose of the Folk Den is to use the medium of the World Wide Web to continue the tradition of the folk process, that is the telling of stories, and singing of songs, passed on from one generation to another, by word of mouth.
In this electronic era, such a process is in danger of being overwhelmed by the commercial mass media. This page and others on the 'net are working to preserve the folk songs that have chronicled our global heritage for centuries.
In the Folk Den, a "new" folk song is uploaded every month as a "Global Community Service."
