Sleepy-Eyed John
Johnny Horton
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Well way down yonder on Candy Creek I whittled out a fiddle from a wagon seat. I tune fiddle and I rub my bow. Play a little tune wherever I go. Sleepy-eyed John, you better get yore britches on Sleepy-eyed John better tie your shoe. Sleepy-eyed John, you better goet your britches on. Try to get to heaven 'for the devil gets to you. Now Sleepy-eyed John he had a wooden leg. The wooden leg was nothing but a little wooden peg. With one shoe off and one shoe on Do the double-shuffle 'till the cows come home. Sleepy-eyed John, you better get yore britches on Sleepy-eyed John better tie your shoe. Sleepy-eyed John, you better goet your britches on. Try to get to heaven 'for the devil gets to you. Over the hickory and down the pine The racoon left and the old hound whined. John said 'Sick 'em', and the racoon left. They crossed Green River in a minute and a half. Sleepy-eyed John, you better get yore britches on Sleepy-eyed John better tie your shoe. Sleepy-eyed John, you better goet your britches on. Try to get to heaven 'for the devil gets to you. I took 20 dollars for to build a fence. I took my money and I ain't worked since. I sold my buggy and I sold my plow. I wouldn't take a dollar for my journey now. Sleepy-eyed John, you better get yore britches on Sleepy-eyed John better tie your shoe. Sleepy-eyed John, you better goet your britches on. Try to get to heaven 'for the devil gets to you.
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Written by: TEX ATCHISON
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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10 facts about this song
Artist Background"Sleepy-Eyed John" was performed by Johnny Horton, a famous American country music and rockabilly singer. Horton had a string of hits during the 1950s and early 1960s, including the iconic "The Battle of New Orleans".
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Song DetailsThe song "Sleepy-Eyed John" was released on the album "Johnny Horton’s Greatest Hits" in 1961, two years after Horton’s sudden death in a car crash.
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Genre ClassificationThe song is part of the honky-tonk genre, but also includes elements of rockabilly and folk. These cross-genre characteristics are typical of Horton's musical style.
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Chart PerformanceAlthough not one of Horton's chart-toppers, "Sleepy-Eyed John" was relatively popular among his fans, reflecting his adept storytelling skills and unique vocal style.
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Song Composition"Sleepy-Eyed John" is characterized by its upbeat tempo, melody, and humorous lyrics, a combination that epitomizes Horton's overall music style.
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Storytelling SongThe song tells the story of a character named Sleepy-Eyed John, who tricks a sheriff to escape from jail. This ability to weave a story into his songs is a testament to Horton's skills as a songwriter.
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Legacy BehindAfter Horton's untimely death, his music, including songs like "Sleepy-Eyed John," continued to gain popularity, influencing future generations of country and rockabilly musicians.
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Song CoversSeveral artists have covered "Sleepy-Eyed John" since Horton's original recording. This is a testament to the song's enduring appeal and how it touched both musicians and fans.
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Sleepy-Eyed John LYRICSThe lyrics, mostly about a former convict and his mischievous deeds, were influenced by traditional folk storytelling, a common element in Horton's music.
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Radio PlayDespite not being a leading chart performer, "Sleepy-eyed John" regularly finds space on classic country radio playlists, further cementing Horton's place in country music history.
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"Sleepy-Eyed John Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1474164/Johnny+Horton/Sleepy-Eyed+John>.
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