Cotton Eye Joe – English Lyrics

• By: Rednex

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language can be an exciting journey, and music is a fantastic tool to make it more enjoyable. "Cotton Eye Joe" by Rednex offers a playful, albeit stereotypical, glimpse into American vernacular and storytelling. The song's simple, repetitive chorus is great for beginners to pick up new phrases and practice pronunciation. Its narrative lyrics also provide a fun way to understand storytelling in English. Dive into this energetic tune and discover a unique piece of musical history that bridges continents and centuries.

[English]

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

（hey,hey,hey,hey）

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

...

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

...

He came to town like a midwinter storm

He rode through the fields so handsome and strong

His eyes was his tools and his smile was his gun

But all he had come for was having some fun

...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

（SOLO）

He brought disaster wherever he went

The hearts of the s was to hell broken sent

They all ran away so nobody would know

and left only men cause of Cotton-Eye Joe

...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

...

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

...

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,----

...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

...

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,hey

...

If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eye Joe

I'd been married long time ago

Where did you come from where did you go

Where did you come from Cotton-Eye Joe

...

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
married /ˈmærid/ A1	verb - to become someone's spouse in a legal or formal ceremony
come /kʌm/ A1	verb - to move or travel toward a place or person
go /ɡoʊ/ A1	verb - to move or travel from one place to another
storm /stɔrm/ A2	noun - a violent weather condition with strong winds and heavy rain
rode /roʊd/ A2	verb - past tense of ride; to sit on and travel using an animal or vehicle
handsome /ˈhænsəm/ A2	adjective - good-looking, especially in a masculine way
strong /strɒŋ/ A1	adjective - having great physical power or force
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organ of sight
tools /tuːlz/ A1	noun - a device or implement used to carry out a particular function
smile /smaɪl/ A1	noun - a facial expression indicating pleasure or amusement verb - to have a smile on one's face
gun /ɡʌn/ A2	noun - a weapon that fires bullets or other projectiles
fun /fʌn/ A1	noun - enjoyment or amusement
disaster /dɪˈzæstər/ B1	noun - a sudden event that causes great damage or suffering
hearts /hɑrts/ A1	noun - the organ that pumps blood around the body; often used metaphorically for emotions
broken /ˈbroʊkən/ A2	adjective - separated into pieces as a result of injury or damage
ran /ræn/ A1	verb - past tense of run; to move quickly on foot
men /mɛn/ A1	noun - adult human males