I lived in a place called Okfuskee
And I had a little girl in a holler tree
I said, little girl, it's plain to see,
There ain't nobody that can sing like me

She said it's hard for me to see
How one little boy got so ugly
Yes, my luttle girly, that might be
But there ain't nobody that can sing like me

Ain't nobody that can sing like me
Way over yonder in the minor key
Way over yonder in the minor key
There ain't nobody that can sing like me

We walked down by the Buckeye Creek
To see the frog eat the goggle eye bee
To hear that west wind whistle to the east
There ain't nobody that can sing like me

Oh my little girly will you let me see
Way over yonder where the wind blows free
Nobody can see in our holler tree
And there ain't nobody that can sing like me

Her mama cut a switch from a cherry tree
And laid it on the she and me
It stung lots worse than a hive of bees
But there ain't nobody that can sing like me

Now I have walked a long long ways
And I still look back to my tanglewood days
I've led lots of girls since then to stray
Saying, ain't nobody that can sing like me.


Lyrics submitted by FackingHell

Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    This is one of the hundreds of songs that Woody left no recording of. Only written lyrics. His family foundation works with artists to bring these songs back to life by giving them tunes and recording them. This one was recorded by the British singer Billy Bragg and American band Wilco on the album Mermaid Avenue.

    I learned it from a Dubliner on a Bank Holiday at a hostile in the Far West of Ireland. We were all sitting around the fireplace one night, following whomever was leading by watching their chords. I remember doing a double-take when I heard the line about being way over yonder in the minor key. It was so weird and so cool... Anyway I started playing the song on my return to the States... it does get some odd reactions now and then.

    Anyway, thank you Woody, thank you Billy, thank you Wilco, and thank you Smilin' Bob, you know who you are.

    dcbaon March 31, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I'm searching for this song right now. Heard an excellent version performed by a local blues singer/guitarist, and it absolutely took my breath away. "There ain't nobody that can sing like me.."

    Poetic_Mystiqueon March 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it was a hostel, not a hostile. in fact it was quite hospitable. everyone needs an editor.

    dcbaon March 31, 2009   Link

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