Polk Salad Annie

Tom Jones · Other Songs - Tom Jones

If some of ya'll never been down south too much

I'm gonna tell you a little bit about this

So that you'll understand what I'm talkin' about

Down there we have a plant that grows out in the woods

And in the fields looks somethin' like a turnip green

And everybody calls it polk salad, polk salad

Used to know a girl lived down there

And she'd go out in the evenings and pick her a mess of it

Carry it home and cook it for supper

'Cause thats about all they had to eat, but they did all right



Down in Louisiana, where the alligators grow so mean

There lived a girl, that I swear to the world

Made the alligators look tame

Polk salad Annie, polk salad Annie

Everybody said it was a shame

Cause her momma was a workin' on the chain gang

(A mean vicious woman)



Everyday ?for supper time, she'd go down by the truck patch

And pick her a mess of polk salad, and carry it home in a tow sack

Polk salad Annie, the gators got your granny

Everybody says it was a shame

Cause her momma was a workin' on the chain gang

(A wretched, spiteful, straight-razor totin' woman

Lord have Mercy, pick a mess of it)



Her daddy was lazy and no count, claimed he had a bad back

All her brothers were fit for was stealin' watermelons

Out of my truck patch

Polk salad Annie, the gators got your granny

Everybody said it was a shame

Cause her momma was a workin' on the chain gang

(Sock a little polk salad to me, you know I need me a mess of it)

About Polk Salad Annie

Tom Jones' "Polk Salad Annie" stands as a defining anthem of the American folk revival, capturing the spirited energy of the 1960s with its distinctive vocal delivery and upbeat tempo. Released during a period where Jones expanded his repertoire beyond traditional ballads to embrace American roots music, the track showcases his versatility and ability to infuse country and folk melodies with a unique, charismatic flair. The song's catchy rhythm and Jones' signature style made it an instant hit, resonating with audiences who appreciated its blend of humor and musicality. It remains a testament to the era's cross-genre experimentation and the enduring appeal of Jones' powerful, emotive singing voice across diverse musical landscapes.