1. Ain’t a-gonna dig no ginseng,
Well I ain’t a-gonna hunt no crow,
Ain’t gonna do a doggone thing
But love my dear sweet Mama,
O, you can’t read my mind.
When you think I’m loving you, Mama,
I’m quitting you all the time.
Yo-lee-o-del-lay-hee-hee-hee,
Yo-lee-o-lay-hee-hee,
Yo-lee-o-del-lay-hee-hee,
Yo-del-lay-hee.

2. My home ain’t here,
It’s down in Caroline,
I got two chillun down in Georgia,
But they sho' ain't mine, sweet Mama,
O, you can’t read my mind (etc.)

3. I got a girl in Georgia,
One in Dixie, too.
If you treat me mean, sweet Mama,
Turn my back on you, good baby,
O, you can’t read my mind (etc).

4. Ain’t gonna work no tipple,
Ain’t gonna load no coal,
Put my head out the window,
Watch the drivers roll, sweet Mama,
O, you can’t read my mind (etc).