Old Joe Clark he made his mark when cotton was king

And late at night 'neath the shanty light you could hear that banjo ring

It would ring out for the master who was listening on the hill

And it would ring out for the babies who were sleeping quiet and still


Round and round old Joe Clark

Round and round, I say

Round and round old Joe Clark until the break of day


When he came out of the belly of that ship of slavery he was holding to his banjo but it was not on his knee

And someone said, "Hey here's a strong one and he can entertain

So we'll let you keep your banjo, but Clark's gonna be your name"


Round and round old Joe Clark

Play it when I say

Round and round old Joe Clark or they'll carry you away

Round and round


He learned to play the melodies of Cork and county Claire

He even played for Lincoln once, outside the courthouse square

Then he went down to New Orleans, they call it Dixieland

But everywhere that old Joe played, he was still a hired hand

Round and round