The Battle of New Orleans found life in many voices, but Johnny Horton’s 1959 recording made it a nationwide hit.

Known for turning history into music, Horton delivered the ballad with an upbeat rhythm and a clear, commanding voice that connected widely.

Folk icon Pete Seeger also performed the song, staying true to American folk roots with acoustic instrumentation and storytelling.

Across the Atlantic, British skiffle artist Lonnie Donegan gave it a lively, fast-paced twist, helping introduce American folk and country to UK audiences.

About the Song

The Battle of New Orleans is a country and folk-style song based on a historical event from 1815. It tells the story of American troops beating the British in a humorous, plainspoken way.

The lyrics describe firing guns, running out of ammunition, and chasing the British away.

Lyrics of The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton

Verse 1

In 1814 we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in a town near New Orleans

Chorus

We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin’
There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began to runnin’
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Verse 2

We looked down a river and we see’d the British come
(Hut-two three-four)
And there must have been a hundred of ’em beatin’ on the drums
(Hut-two three-four)
They stepped so high and they made their bugles ring
(Hut-two three-four)
We stood beside our cotton bales and didn’t say a thing
(Hut-two three-four)

Chorus

We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin’
There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began to runnin’
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Verse 3

Old Hickory said we could take ’em by surprise
(One-hut, two-three-four)
If we didn’t fire our muskets ’til we looked ’em in the eye
(One-hut, two-three-four)
We held our fire ’til we see their faces well
(Hut, two-three-four)
Then we opened up our squirrel guns
And really gave ’em – well we

Chorus

Fired our guns and the British kept a-comin’
There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began to runnin’
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Verse 4

Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles
(One-hup-two, hup-two-three-four)
And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn’t go
(Hup-two, hup-two-three-four)
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn’t catch ’em
(Hup-two, one-two-three-four)
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
(One-two, hup-two-three-four)

Verse 5

We fired our cannon ’til the barrel melted down
So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round
We filled his head with cannon balls and powdered his behind
And when we touched the powder off the gator lost his mind

Chorus

We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin’
There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began to runnin’
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Verse 4

Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles
(One-hup-two, hup-two-three-four)
And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn’t go
(Hup-two, hup-two-three-four)
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn’t catch ’em
(Hup-two, one-two-three-four)
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
(One-two, hup-two-three-four)
(Sound off three-four)
(One-two, hup-two-three-four)
(Sound off three-four)
(One-two, hup-two-three-four)
(Sound off three-four)

The Battle of New Orleans Lyrics by Pete Seeger

Well, in 18 and 14, we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Missisip
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we met the bloody British in the town of New Orleans
We fired our guns and the British kept a comin’
There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began a running
Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Well, I seed Marse Jackson come a-walkin’ down the street
And a-talkin’ to a pirate by the name of Jean Lafitte;
He gave Jean a drink that he brung from Tennessee,
And the pirate said he’d help us drive the British to the sea.
Well the French told Andrew, “You had better run
For Packenham’s a=comin’ with a bullet in his gun.”
Old Hickory said he didn’t give a damn
He’s a-gonna whup the britches off of Colonel Packenham.
Well, we looked down the river and we seed the British come
And there must have been a hundred of them beating on the drum
They stepped so high and they made their bugles ring
While we stood behind our cotton bales and didn’t say a thing
Old Hickory said we could take em by surprise
If we didn’t fire a musket till we looked em in the eyes
We held our fire till we seed their face well
Then we opened up our squirrel guns and really gave em well..
Well they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn’t go
They ran so fast the hounds couldn’t catch em
Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Well we fired our cannons till the barrels melted down
So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round
We filled his head with minie balls and powdered his behind
And when we touched the powder off, the ‘gator lost his mind
They lost their pants and their pretty shiny coats
And their tails was all a-showin’ like a bunch of billy goats.
They ran down the river with their tongues a-hanging out
And they said they got a lickin’, which there wasn’t any doubt.
Well we marched back to town in our dirty ragged pants
And we danced all night with the pretty girls from France;
We couldn’t understand ’em, but they had the sweetest charms
And we understood ’em better when we got ’em in our arms.
Well, the guide who brung the British from the sea
Come a-limping into camp just as sick as he could be,
He said the dying words of Colonel Packenham
Was, “You better quit your foolin’ with your cousin Uncle Sam.”
Well, we’ll march back home, but we’ll never be content
Till we make Old Hick’ry the people’s president.
And every time we think about the bacon and the beans
We’ll think about the fun we had way down in New Orleans.

The Battle of New Orleans Lyrics by Lonnie Donegan

(Spoken)Well, this here’s the story about the Battle of New Orleans
Which was fit between the Yankees of course and them there English people
In which the British came off rather ignominiously
Means they never done no good, no how, alright, now shut up. Right

Well in 1814, we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Packenham down the mighty Mississipp’
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we fought the bloomin British in the town of New Orleans

Well, we fired our guns and the British kept a comin’
There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began a running
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexicoooo, yeh

Weeell, we looked down the river till we see the British come
There must have been a hundred of ’em beatin’ on the drum
They stepped so high and they made the bugles ring
Well, we stood beside our cotton bales and never sayed a thing

Well, we fired our guns and the British kept a comin’
And there wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began a running
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Ederum a ohderum a ederum a ohderum

Well, Packenham said we could take em by surprise
If we didn’t fire a musket till we looked ’em in the eyes
Well, we stood quite still till we see their faces well
Then we opened up our muskets and we really gave em…

Well, we fired our guns and the British kept a comin’
And there wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
And we fired once more and they began a running
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Weeeeell, they rrraan through the briars and they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes where the rabbits couldn’t go
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn’t catch em
All down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Well, we fired our guns and the British kept a comin’
There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began a running
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexicooooh ah ha tiddly dee

Well, we fired our muskets so the barrels melted down
Then grabbed an alligator and we fought another round
Well, we stuffed his head with cannon balls and powdered his behind
So when we touched the powder off, the ‘gator lost his mind

Well, we fired our guns and the British kept a comin’
There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago
We fired once more and they began a running
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico

Similar Songs Like Battle of New Orleans

Here’s a list of songs similar to The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton, Pete Seeger, and Lonnie Donegan:

• “North to Alaska”: Tells the story of men traveling to Alaska during the gold rush. It combines a sense of adventure with Horton’s signature rhythm.
• “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy”: A protest song that uses a military training story to comment on poor leadership. Simple but powerful in its message.
• “Rock Island Line”: This fast-paced skiffle song is about a train engineer who outsmarts the law. It’s playful and rhythm-heavy.

Similar Artists Like Johnny Horton, Pete Seeger, and Lonnie Donegan.

These artists share a focus on folk and country music, often using storytelling and acoustic sounds:

• Willie Nelson
  Genre: Country
  Top Album: Red Headed Stranger
• Gordon Lightfoot
  Genre: Folk
  Top Album: Sundown
• Jim Croce
  Genre: Folk Rock
  Top Album: You Don’t Mess Around with Jim
• Kenny Rogers
  Genre: Country
  Top Album: The Gambler

Frequently Asked Questions

What Genre is The Battle of New Orleans?

It blends country, folk, and a bit of comedy.

Is the Song Historically Accurate?

While the song is based on real events, it takes creative liberties for humor and storytelling.

Is the Song Based on a Real Event?

Yes. It’s about the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, part of the War of 1812.