Expert: Mel Priddle - 5/1/2009

Question
Looking for a late 60's or 70's country song, maybe early 80's. I remember it having a name " The Butter Bean Song " or " Butter Beans ".  I hope you can help me with the name and artist, it was a very funny song.

Thanks
Jim


Answer
Hello Jim,

I believe there have been various versions of "Butterbeans" with different lyrics, sung to the tune of "Just A Closer Walk With Thee". I know that Johnny Russell & Little David Wilkins recorded it in 1987. There were also earlier versions by Jimmie Driftwood and by Little Jimmie Dickins. Here's how Dickins recorded it........

Just a bowl of butter beans
Pass the cornbread if you please
I don't want no collard greens
All I want is a bowl of butter beans

Just a little piece of country ham
Pass the butter and the jam
Pass the biscuits if you please
And some more of the good ol' butter beans

Bread and gravy is all right
A turnip sandwich is a delight
But my children all still scream
For another bowl of butter beans

When they lay my bones to rest
Place a rose upon my chest
Plant those blooming evergreens
But all I want, honey, is a bowl of butter beans

Just a bowl of butter beans
Pass the cornbread if you please
I don't want no collard greens
All I want is a bowl of butter beans


Jimmis Driftwood's version contained the following verses......

Just a bowl of butter beans
Pass the cornbread, if you please
I don't want no collard greens
I just want a great big bowl of butterbeans

Just a slice of country ham
Fried potatoes, strawberry jam
I'm afraid I might bust my jeans
If I eat another big bowl of butter beans

See that pretty girl sittin' over there
She's got ruby red lips and that fine black hair
She's not expecting like she seems
She's just had a great big bowl of butter beans

See that big, fat, ugly lad
He's made everybody mad
They don't love him, by no means
He's the hog that ate the last of the butter beans


Glad to be of help. Cheers........Mel.