American Old Time Song Lyrics: 26 Getting The Pigs In Clover

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 26

GETTING THE PIGS IN CLOVER
Composed by E. Harrigan.

I'm going to sing a song which won't take me very long,
I'll sing about some funny things you know;
There's a game that's puzzled Turks, to see how the old thing works
The smartest at the game are very slow.
They can twist and turn all day. and won't get it the right way,
They can think and think it all over;
They may climb the creasy pole, but still they're in the cold
Trying to get the pigs in clover.

Our lawyers and clerks, and director of public works,
Have all tried the little game, there's no mistake;
And the mayor of our city, who said it was a pity,
But at the same time the game it took the cake.
Phila's biggest bums, also their closest chumps,
Have been disgusted, and yet they try it over;
They all have bought the game, and try their might and main
To get the little pigs in clover.

In the days of Adam and Eve, you would scarcely believe
That men could get up such a game;
I don't say the girls are slow, but this game just comes to show
That the male sex gets there just the same.
The woman leads in talking, and the men they lead in walking,
I don't mean to throw the question over;
The girls have kissed their fellows, And banged them on the smellers,
Trying to get the pigs in clover.

I have brought the game along, to wind up my little song,
It might take me all night to get them in;
You have to work it steady, there go two in already.
To get the other two I'll make them spin.
There goes the third one in, now the other one will win,
That is, if I don't upset it over:
There go the whole three out; I'm surely up the spout!
D---- the little pigs in clover!