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Chickens


    There are so many good songs about chickens, but my favorite is Mississippi John Hurt's... Chicken:

    C is the way we begin. H to make the letter hen. I am the way. C when the seasons are grey. K is to fill him in. E I'm near the end.

    C-H-I-C-K-E-N

    That's the way to spell chicken


    How many chickens does the landlord eat?

    How many chickens does the landlord need?

    How many children does the landlord feed?

    Can’t be more than two or three

    So why can’t the landlord leave any chickens for me?


    How many cows does the landlord want?

    How many cows does he already got?

    What’s he gonna do with the whole damn lot?

    What’s he gonna do when they tramp on his seeds?

    So why can’t the landlord leave any cows for me?

    Why can’t the landlord leave any cows for me?


    Oh me, oh mum

    He’ll get his when it comes

    He’ll get his when it comes


    How many pigs does the landlord take?

    How many pigs does the landlord bake?

    What’s he gonna do when they get trapped in the mud?

    What’s he gonna do when they fight and they fuss?

    Why’s can’t the landlord leave any pigs for us?

    Why can’t the landlord leave any cows for me?

    Why can’t the landlord leave any chickens for me?


    From Turkey Doolin at the Ya’ll Zig, released July 12, 2019

    Music and lyrics by Benjamin Adair Murphy ASCAP (464341364). Published by Watery Grave

    Guitar and vocals - Benjamin Adair Murphy

    Bass and guitars - Yuval Ziegler

    Recorded by Yuval Ziegler

    Million Years

      A faster, dirtier version of this with an upright bass and some barroom piano would work well...



      Smoke in the air and the pigs on the spit

      She’s already dressed for it

      And a pretty young boy is hanging by his neck

      He never even learned about fear

      I wouldn’t miss it

      Miss it in a million years


      Big John Sullivan stung by a bee

      Said, “Why these things always happen to me?”

      Spends an hour and a half hiding up in a tree

      When he comes down everybody cheers

      I wouldn’t miss it

      Miss it in a million years


      And the lady wants to know

      Has anyone ever known greater wealth?

      And I love her so much I believe it myself


      Dirt in the liquor and ash in the wine

      All these people and I don’t mind

      So many places and so little time

      But it’s all happening here

      I wouldn’t miss it

      Miss it in a million years


      The banjo player is burning out a tic

      He begs for the ladies to show off a little tit

      When they do he says he appreciates it

      He’s laughing through his tears

      I wouldn’t miss it

      Miss it in a million years


      And the lady wants to know

      Has anyone ever known greater wealth?

      And I love her so much I believe it myself


      My first cousin is sittin’ on a log

      Waiting for his lady to come along

      Singing ‘Bring me a little water Sylvie

      Bring me a little water now

      Bring me a little water Sylvie

      Every little once in a while’


      Someone who shouldn’t goes and gets behind the wheel

      Gets stuck in the mud and the tires squeal

      Gets out of the car and losses his meal

      Says “why you people staring at me like deers?”


      I wouldn’t miss it

      Miss it in a million years


      And the lady wants to know

      Has anyone ever known greater wealth?

      And I love her so much I believe it myself


      From Turkey Doolin at the Ya’ll Zig, released July 12, 2019

      Music and lyrics by Benjamin Adair Murphy ASCAP (464341364). Published by Watery Grave Music ASCAP (396517127)

      Recorded by Yuval Ziegler


      Piano (Music by Roike)


        Hey there mister You saved my ass from jail I owe you little some A little something that’s not for sale I know I gotta get right But getting right’s all gone wrong Open my eyes I love those pretty songs

        I want to wave my hands in time I want the world to know your mine, dear If the piano in your house never gets played We’ll learn to play

        Hey there mister You pulled out all the shots The sirens are ringing But I’m not afraid of cops You bring me back home You bring me back safe and sound Open my eyes I'm coming back around

        I want to wave my hands in time I want the world to know your mine, dear If the piano in your house never gets played We’ll learn to play

        Lyrics by Benjamin Adair Murphy ASCAP (464341364). Published by Watery Grave Music ASCAP (396517127)

        Music by Roy Gurel

        Produced by Roy Gurel

        Mixed by Assaf Spector and Roy Gurel

        Mastered by Brian Lucey Vocals by Roy Gurel and Yula Yael Beeri and Rony Stav Guitars, bass and percussion by Roy Gurel Piano by Yuval Semo Drums by Assaf Spector


        From Trouble Came, released August 28, 2019 released August 1, 2016


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