I first learned “Cotton Eyed Joe” at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music in 1957. No one really knows what it’s about but speculation has it that Joe would come to a town and steal away a man’s sweetheart. The song predates the Civil War and has become a cult dance tune both in line dance and partner dance. It has been recorded by The Moody Brothers, The Chieftains, Ricky Skaggs and the Swedish band Rednex. The 1980 film Urban Cowboy sparked a renewed interest in the dance. It has also inspired nightclubs to take on the name as in the photo above.
[G] Where did you come from
Where did you [Em] go
[G] Where did you come from
Where did you come from
[D] Cotton Eye’d [G] Joe
Come for to ramble
Come for to sing
Come for to show you
A diamond ring
BREAK
Where did you come from
Where did you go
Where did you come from
Cotton Eye’d Joe
Haden’t been for Joe Cotton Eye’d Joe
I’d a-been married 40 years ago X2
Where did you come from Where did you go
Where did you come from
Cotton Eye’d Joe