—Bill Monroe
I'm going to that east Cairo (Kay-ro) (x2)
I'm going to the east, I'm going to the west
I'm going to the one that I love best
Chorus:
Roll on, buddy, roll on (x2)
You wouldn't roll so slow if you knew what I know
So roll on, buddy, roll on
I've got a good woman just the same (x2)
My woman just the same says she's gonna change her name
I've got a good woman just the same
My home is down in Tennessee (x2)
In Tennessee that's where I long to be
Way down in sunny Tennessee
Foghorn String Band Version:
I wish I was a little honey bee (x2)
If I was a little honey bee I'd be as sweet as I can be
I'd roll on buddy, roll on
Chorus:
Roll on buddy roll on (x2)
You wouldn't roll so slow if you knew what I know
And that's roll on buddy roll on
I wish I was a little turtle dove (x2)
If I was a little turtle dove I'd be so full of love
I'd roll on buddy, roll on
I wish I was a lizard in the spring (x2)
If I was a lizard in the spring I'd hear my true love sing
I'd roll on buddy, roll on
Verse & Chorus
| I | I | IV | I |
| IV | I | I – V | I |
Ramblin' Jack Elliot's version:
Chorus:
Roll on buddy roll on
Roll on buddy roll on
You wouldn't roll so slow if you knew what I know
Roll on buddy roll on
I got a home in Tennessee[x2]
I got a home down in sunny Tennessee
And it's roll on buddy, roll on
Kimpy wants a nine dollar shawl [x2]
I come over the hill with a twenty dollar bill
And ask baby where you been so long
Baby where you been so long
Yeah baby where you been so long
Well I been in the pen with the rough and rowdy men
And asked baby where you been so long
And I never liked no railroad man
I never liked no railroad man
'Cause a railroad man will kill you if he can
Drink down your blood like wine
Baby where'd you stay last night
Baby where'd you stay last night
Well I slept in the pen with the rough and rowdy men
Baby where'd you stay last night
Roll on buddy roll on
Roll on buddy roll on
You wouldn't roll so slow if you knew what I know
And that's roll on buddy roll on