Ol' Joe Clark

Well, ol' Joe Clark, he made his mark

When cotton was the king

And late at night, in the pale moonlight

You could hear that banjo ring

It would ring out for the master

Listening on the hill

It would ring out for the babies

Sleeping quiet and still

'Round and around, ol' Joe Clark

'Round and around, I say

'Round and around, ol' Joe Clark

Until the break of day

When he came up from the belly

Of the ship of slavery

He was holding to his banjo

But it was not on his knee

And someone said, "Hey, here's a strong one

He can entertain

You can keep your banjo

But Clark will be your name"

'Round and around, ol' Joe Clark

"Play it" is what I say

'Round and around, ol' Joe Clark

Or we'll carry you away, singing

'Round and 'round (ol' Joe Clark)

'Round and 'round (ol' Joe Clark)

'Round and 'round

'Round and 'round

Well, he learned to play the melodies

Of Cork and county Claire

He even played for Lincoln once

Down on the courthouse square

Then he went out to New Orleans

And they called it Dixie Land (hey!)

But everywhere that ol' Joe went

He was still a hired hand

'Round and around, ol' Joe Clark

'Round and around, I say

'Round and around, ol' Joe Clark

Until the break of day

Turn 'round and around, ol' Joe Clark

'Round and around, I say

'Round and around, ol' Joe Clark

Until the break of day

'Round and 'round

'Round and 'round

'Round and 'round

'Round and 'round

'Round and 'round (ol' Joe Clark)

'Round and 'round