The Sow Took the Measles
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Transcription: by Darryl D. Bush
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Lyrics:
How do you think I began in the world?
I got me a sow and sev'ral other things;
Sow or hog or some such thing
The sow took the measles and died in the spring.
What do you think that I made of her hide?
The very best saddle that you ever did ride;
Saddle or bridle or any such a thing,
The sow took the measles and died in the spring.
What do you think that I made of her nose?
The very best thimble that ever sewed clothes;
Thimble or thread or any such thing,
The sow took the measles and died in the spring.
What do you think I made of her tail?
The very best whup that ever sought sail;
Whup or whup-socket, any such thing
The sow took the measles and died in the spring.
What do you think that I made of her feet?
The very best pickles that you ever did eat;
Pickles or glue or any such thing,
The sow took the measles and died in the spring.
What do you think I made of her hair?
The very best silk that you ever did wear.
Silk or satin or some such thing
The sow took the measels and she died in the spring.
"The Sow Took the Measles ,,," is a good example of how farmers used "everything<br> except the squeal" in a pig. It is related to the old English song<br> "My Jolly Herring".<br> It was printed in<br> Fuson's Ballads of the Kentucky Highlands (1931),<br> Brunnings' Folk Song Index: A Comprehensive Guide to the<br> Florence E. Brunnings Collection (1981),<br> Brown's Collection of North Carolina Folklore, Volume 3 (1952),<br> Ives' Burl Ives Songbook (1953),<br> Lomax's Folk Songs of North America (1960) and<br> Silber and Silber's Folksinger’s Wordbook (1973).<br> It is in the Roud Folksong Index as #17759.<br> It was recorded by<br> Burl Ives, Dean Rathje, The Great American String Band and others.<br> The song has apparently gained some interest as a humorous choral piece<br> for middle and senior high school groups.<br>
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