And I holler why
And I holler why
And I holler why
The tortoise boy no mon ami!

And I holler why
And I holler why
And I holler why
The tortoise boy no mon ami!

First he give me one
Then he give me two
And he give me three and I holler
"Lord have mercy"

And I holler why
And I holler why
And I holler why
The tortoise boy no mon ami!

First we go in a room
Make me mama no know
Make me lie on a sofa
Make me have-a me labor

And I holler why
And I holler why
And I holler why
The tortoise boy no mon ami!

Give me back me shilling
Give me back me shilling
You can stand on your own feet now
Give me back me shilling

And I holler why
And I holler why
And I holler why
The tortoise boy no mon ami!

Hold me tight, hold me tight
Danger waters coming, baby
Hold me tight
Hold me tight, hold me tight
Danger water coming, baby
Hold me

And I holler why
And I holler why
And I holler why
The tortoise boy no mon ami!

And I holler why
And I holler why
And I holler why
The tortoise boy no mon ami!