American folk songs are old songs that tell real stories. Many were passed down by ear, not written on paper.
They speak about love, loss, work, hope, and the hard parts of life. Some are sweet and gentle, others are rough and honest. But all of them feel like they came from someone’s heart.
Folk songs helped people feel less alone. Even today, they still matter, because the stories in them never really go out of style.
About the Song
Boil Them Cabbage Down is a classic American folk song with playful lyrics and a catchy tune. It’s often one of the first songs learned by beginners on fiddle, banjo, or guitar.
It’s all about country life, animals, and simple cooking. The lyrics are fun and easy to remember, with verses about raccoons, possums, and making hoecakes (cornmeal cakes cooked on a hoe over a fire).
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| First Known Recording | Early 1900s (traditional), widely recorded by artists like Pete Seeger |
| Writer | Unknown (traditional folk song) |
| First Known Publication | 1877, Sam Lucas, song published as Hannah Boil Dat Cabbage Down |
| Notable Artists | Pete Seeger, Sam Hinton, Ruby Jane Smith, Smothers Brothers |
Boil Them Cabbage Down Lyrics
Refrain
Boil them cabbage down, down.
Turn them hoecakes* ’round,
The only song that I can sing is
Boil them cabbage down.
Raccoon has a bushy tail
Possum’s tail is bare
Rabbit’s got no tail at all
But a little bunch of hair. Refrain
Someone stole my old coon dog.
Wish they’d bring him back.
He chased the big hogs through the fence,
And the little ones through the crack. Refrain
Met a possum in the road,
Blind as he could be.
Jumped the fence and whipped my dog
And bristled up at me. Refrain
Possum up a ‘simmon tree
Raccoon on the ground
Raccoon say to the possum
“Won’t you shake them ‘simmons down?” Refrain
Butterfly, he has wings of gold.
Firefly, wings of flame.
Bedbug, he got no wings at all,
But he gets there just the same. Refrain
Once I had an old grey mule,
his name was Simon Slick.
He’d roll his eyes and back his ears,
and how that mule would kick. Refrain
Similar Songs Like Boil Them Cabbage Down
These songs are traditional American folk or fiddle tunes, often played with similar instruments and share playful lyrics or dance rhythms:
- Old Joe Clark: A Bouncy old-time fiddle tune that tells wild tales, often played fast and loved by fiddlers and dancers across generations.
- Cripple Creek: Easy melody that repeats, perfect for beginners learning banjo or fiddle, often heard at casual jams and music festivals.
- Turkey in the Straw: Fast-paced and cheerful, this tune brings silly fun with its catchy rhythm and animal lyrics that kids and adults both enjoy.
- She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain: Fun folk classic everyone knows, sung in groups with clapping, repeating lines, and playful verses about travel and celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Beginners Learn Boil Them Cabbage Down on the Fiddle or Banjo?
The melody is simple and repetitive, making it perfect for learning basic notes and rhythms.
Has Boil Them Cabbage Down been Used in Cartoons or Movies?
Yes, Boil Them Cabbage Down has been featured in popular cartoons and TV shows. For example, the Smothers Brothers performed the song in the end credits of the Simpsons episode O Brother, Where Bart Thou?
What are Hoecakes, as Mentioned in the Song?
Hoecakes are small cornmeal cakes originally cooked on the blade of a hoe over a fire.
