In 1814 we took a little trip 
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip, 
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans 
And we fought the bloody British in the town of New Orleans. 

Chorus
 We fired our guns and the British kept a-coming 
There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago 
We fired once more and they begin a running, 
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico 
 

We looked down the river and we saw the British come 
And there musta been a hundred of 'em beatin on the drum
They stepped so high and they made their bugles ring 
We stood behind our cotton bales and didn't say a thing. 

(chorus above) 

Ole Hickory said we could take 'em by surprise 
If we didn't fire our muskets 'till we look 'em in the eyes. 
We held our fire 'til we seen their faces well 
Then we opened up our squirrel guns and really gave 'em, Well.. 

( chorus above) 

They ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles 
And they ran through the bushes where the rabbits couldn't go. 
They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em 
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. 

 (chorus above) 

We fired our canons 'til the barrel melted down 
Then we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round. 
 We stuffed his head with cannon balls and powdered his behind, 
And when we shot the fire off the gator lost his mind. 

 Want to HEAR THE MUSIC? Here is a great webpage by Christopher with his personal story about Jimmy Driftwood - ENJOY!  Use your BACK button to return to War of 1812 page.