My name is Charlie Brennan, from Charlestown I come
I've traveled this wide world over, some ups and downs I've had
I've traveled this wide world over, some ups and downs I saw
But I never knew what mis'ry was 'til I hit old Arkansas

I dodged behind the depot to dodge that blizzard wind
Met a walking skeleton whose name was Thomas Quinn
His hair hung down like rat-tails on his long and lantern jaw
He invited me to his hotel, the best in Arkansas

I followed my conductor to his respected place.
There pity and starvation was seen on every face.
His bread it was corn dodger, his meat I couldn't chaw,
But he charged me half a dollar in the state of Arkansas.

Then I got me a job on a farm. But I didn't like the work, nor the food, nor the farmer, nor his wife, nor none of his children. So I went up to him one day and I told him, ""Mister, I'm quittin' this job, and you can just pay me off right now.""
He says to me, ""OK, son, if that's the way you feel about it."" And he handed me a mink skin. I told him, I said, ""Hell, brother, I don't want this thing, I want my money.""
He says to me, says, ""Son, that's what we use for currency down here in Arkansas."" So I took it and I headed for a saloon to see if I could get me a pint of drinkin' whisky. Put my mink skin on the bar, and durned if the bartender didn't throw me a pint. An' he picked up my mink skin, and he blowed the hair back on it, and he handed me three 'possum hides and fourteen rabbit skins for change...

I'm going to the Indian Territory and marry me a squaw
Bid farewell to the cane-brakes in the state of Arkansas
If you ever see me back again, I'll extend to you my paw
But it'll be through a telescope from hell to Arkansas