Published 1866 Lyricist(s) A. Pindar | Composer(s) P. Nutt Language English | |
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"Goober Peas" is a traditional folk song probably originating in the Southern United States. It was popular with Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War, and is still sung frequently in the South to this day. It has been recorded and sung by scores of artists, including Burl Ives, Tennessee Ernie Ford and The Kingston Trio.
Contents
The lyrics of "Goober Peas" are a description of daily life during the last few years of the Civil War for Southerners. After being cut off from the rail lines and their farm land, they had little to eat aside from boiled peanuts (or "goober peas") which often served as an emergency ration. Peanuts were also known as pindars and goobers.
Publication date on the earliest sheet music is 1866, published by A. E. Blackmar in New Orleans. Blackmar humorously lists A. Pindar as the lyricist and P. Nutt as the composer.
Lyrics
Verse 1
Sitting by the roadside on a summer's dayChatting with my mess-mates, passing time awayLying in the shadows underneath the treesGoodness, how delicious, eating goober peas.ChorusPeas, peas, peas, peasEating goober peasGoodness, how delicious,Eating goober peas.Verse 2
When a horse-man passes, the soldiers have a ruleTo cry out their loudest, "Mister, here's your mule!"But another custom, enchanting-er than theseIs wearing out your grinders, eating goober peas.ChorusVerse 3
Just before the battle, the General hears a rowHe says "The Yanks are coming, I hear their rifles now."He turns around in wonder, and what d'ya think he sees?The Georgia Militia, eating goober peas.ChorusVerse 4
I think my song has lasted almost long enough.The subject's interesting, but the rhymes are mighty tough.I wish the war was over, so free from rags and fleasWe'd kiss our wives and sweethearts, and gobble goober peas.ChorusAdditional verse
The Reverend Wayland Fuller Dunaway recorded a stanza of the song he heard while imprisoned at the Union prison on Johnson's Island, Ohio, during the latter part of the Civil War. Dunaway had been a captain in Co. I, 40th Virginia Infantry, when captured during the Battle of Falling Waters in July 1863. His stanza:
But now we are in prison and likely long to stay,The Yankees they are guarding us, no hope to get away;Our rations they are scanty, 'tis cold enough to freeze,—I wish I was in Georgia, eating goober peas.I wish I was in Georgia, eating goober peas.In popular culture
In an episode of M*A*S*H "Comrades in Arms" (S6E12), Hawkeye can be heard singing the chorus to himself and explaining to Margaret that it was "an old Civil War marching song".