Hampton Town

Sung by Dan & Bessie & Caller from the Band Cue: “Thank-you folks. Bessie, let’s start this show with music!” (Caller, stands up from the band to call) Take her hand, that pretty little thing Promenade around the ring Possum in the hen house, coon in the spring Hold on tight cause we're a-gonna sing (Bessie sings) If you’re a traveling man then listen here a stranger alone has cause for fear if you go down to Hampton, watch your back (Dan adds harmony) or it’s tar and a-feather and don’t come back or you’re wearing a rope without no slack you’ll be swinging like taters in a gunny sack... if you go down to Hampton, watch your back (Caller) Now you're cookin', here we go Change directions, do ci do Bow to your partner, bow to your beau Careful not to step on your sweetheart's toe (Bessie sings) Well, the Sheriff, they just call him Jed grease his palm, he’ll turn his head (Dan sings) ‘less a man like you is toting cash, (Dan and Bessie) best make your visit, make it fast your luck’s gonna run out in a flash them Hampton folk don’t take to “trash” (Dan sings) ‘less a man like you is toting cash (Caller) Step to the middle, step to the side In Hampton town, ain't nowhere to hide (Dan and Bessie) Sometimes I want to kiss the ground for the good folk God done spread around but I’d burn my boots and settle down ‘fore I’d step a foot in Hampton town (Caller) Gone tomorrow, here today Hold her sweet while you promenade Kick up yer heels just like I say And hold on tight cause now we gonna play (instrumental verse) (Dan and Bessie) Sometimes I want to kiss the ground for the good folk God done spread around but I’d burn my boots and settle down ‘fore I’d step a foot in Hampton town (Caller) Step to the corners, ladies first Quick as a rabbit, slow as a hearse Don't stop now there's one more verse A little bit softer-- could be worse (Dan sings) You see, I had a girl some time ago was the sweetest thing you’d ever know but she went down to Hampton and never came out (Dan and Bessie) yeah, they twisted her nearly inside-out she forgot what love is all about now she’s a Hampton girl, ain’t no doubt (Dan sings) yeah, she went down to Hampton and never came out (Caller) Step to the middle, step to the side In Hampton town, ain't nowhere to hide (Dan and Bessie) Sometimes I want to kiss the ground for the good folk God done spread around but I’d burn my boots and settle down (Bessie sings) ‘fore I’d step a foot in Hampton town (Dan and Bessie) Sometimes I want to kiss the ground for the good folk God done spread around but I’d burn my boots and settle down (Dan sings) ‘fore I’d step a foot in Hampton town (Caller) Take that girl, swing her 'round Fancy shoes and a calico gown Roost in the holler, or peck on the ground But never go down to Hampton town!